Photo: Hubert Fischer
Munich-Riem The weekend of October 16–18, 2026, at the Olympic Equestrian Center was a true celebration of Haflingers and Edelbluthaflingers. Featuring the International Haflinger and Edelbluthaflinger Championships, the 25th South German Stallion Licensing, the South German Elite Mare Cup (“Blue Ribbon”), and the inaugural South German Free-Jumping Cup, the event offered a wealth of highlights for visitors, participants, exhibitors, and enthusiasts of both “blonde” breeds—in the realms of both breeding and sport. Anniversary Edition of the Stallion Licensing In 2026, the South German breed associations held their 25th annual licensing for young Haflinger and Edelbluthaflinger stallions. Of the 31 candidates originally entered, 29 ultimately appeared before the licensing commission; twelve of these earned the coveted “South German Licensed” status, while two additional stallions received official South German recognition.
Anniversary Edition Stallion Licensing The Haflinger champion stallion—also awarded “premium candidate” status—was a son of Sterlington, out of the state-premium and performance-tested mare Maira by Amore Mio/Aristorin. He was bred and exhibited by Matthias Woitek, Arendsee. The Haflinger reserve champion came from the breeding farm of Manfred Zuhr, Taufkirchen; this stallion, a son of All Star out of the association-premium and performance-tested mare Larissa by Willi-V/Wonder-Boy, was also granted premium candidate status. In the Edelbluthaflinger category, the commission, comprising Torsten Große-Freese, Katja Götz, Jörg Menge, Petra Knoll, Sabine Schoch, Bernhard Heistinger, and Hans Schiller, placed Balestros, a son of Barios out of the Federal Premium and State Premium mare Balea by Starino I/Step by Step, at the top of the field, awarding him a premium candidacy. He was bred by Christian Werthmann, Eggolsheim, and presented by Anton Schindele Jr., Unterthingau. The reserve title went to a descendant of Starino I, out of the Federal Premium and State Premium mare Ulanka by Wyno/München 2010. Bred and presented by the Haflinger Stud Meura, he was also awarded a premium candidacy.
Strong cohort of mares This year, 17 Haflinger and Edelbluthaflinger mares competed in the South German Elite Mare Cup for the "Blue Ribbon of Munich." The judging panel, consisting of Antje Römer-Stauber, Lynn Sander, Barbara Müller, Nicole Bölle, and Frank Walter, faced a difficult choice. Nokia HA, by Neustart and out of the premium mare Noana by Stainz/Amadeus, bred and presented by Alexander Hock, Höchstadt/Aisch, took home the winner’s sash in the Haflinger mare category. The first reserve title went to Narika HK, a daughter of Winterball out of the Elite and State Premium mare Navena HK by Stainz/Barolo, she was both bred and presented by Hugo Kirsch, Königstein. The second reserve sash was awarded to Maja, a daughter of Sterlington out of the State Premium mare Michie by Aristorin/Adriano, bred and exhibited by Matthias Woitek, Arendsee. The panel of judges selected Flora, a daughter of Weingold S and the Federal Premium and Elite mare Farina by Nobless/Alibaba, as the winner in the Edelbluthaflinger category. She was both bred and exhibited by Richard Häringer, Huglfing. Bettina Czernoch, Lengenwang, earned the title of 1st Reserve Champion with her mare Bacey by Ace of Hearts out of the Premium mare Bonnie by Nakuri/Winzer, whom she also bred. Nevada B, a daughter of Nearly Perfect B and the Federal Premium and Elite mare Naomis Love Dream B by Sammi/Nebos II, secured the title of 2nd Reserve Champion for her breeder and exhibitor, Endy Bonitz, Chemnitz.
Up in the Air That was the theme on Saturday evening in the large Olympic riding arena, where the Bavarian Horse Breeders' Association hosted its first-ever free-jumping cup exclusively for Haflingers and Edelbluthaflingers. Seventeen horses were evaluated in the free-jumping lane by judges Jörg Menge and Josef Schummer. The quality of the participants was exceptionally high, and it came as no surprise that, in the end, three Edelbluthaflingers shared the winner’s sash. The horses were judged based on their jumping technique, jumping ability, and overall impression. The individual scores were totaled, resulting in three horses achieving the maximum possible score of 27 points. Nio, by Nirodha and out of the Elite and State Premium mare Primavera Sonthofen/Winterstern, bred by Michael and Siegfried Babel, Sulzberg, and exhibited by Johann Kirchberger, Fischbachau, received a 9.0 for his jumping technique, an 8.5 for his scope, and a 9.5 for his overall impression. Maverick, sired by Manu and out of the Federal Premium and State Premium mare Orelia by Werino/Sandro, was awarded a 9.5 for his jumping technique, a 9.0 for his scope, and an 8.5 for his overall impression by the judges. Bred by Josef Lechner, Fischbachau, he was exhibited by the Stallion Owners' Association Matthias Berger and Josef Lechner, Faistenhaar/Brunnthal. Coming in third, Stavaro, by Starino I and out of a State Premium mare Omina by Weritano/Nakuri scored 27 points. Bred by Patricia Grimminger, Kicklingen and presented by Bettina Filary, Ruderatshofen, this Edelbluthaflinger received a score of 9.0 in each of the three evaluation criteria. It was an exciting evening filled with emotional highlights, which once again showcased the versatility and willingness to perform inherent in both of these horse breeds.
Sports Premiere a Resounding Success The equestrian competition—featuring dressage, show jumping, and classes for young horses—got underway on Friday morning. While the stallion licensing proceedings took place in the Olympic Riding Hall, the "New Riding Hall" and the "Horseshoe" sand arena served as the stage for the sporting events. The entry lists were well-filled throughout the weekend, offering challenges for everyone from up-and-coming young riders to seasoned professionals. Over the course of these three days, the focus was not only on individual results in the various classes but also on the coveted sashes awarded for the championship standings. A dedicated circuit was provided for young horses, while dressage riders competed across Small, Medium, and Large Tours and show jumpers vied for titles in both, Small and Large Tours. On Sunday afternoon, the champions, along with the second and third-place finishers, were honored amidst great applause in the historic Olympic Riding Hall. For the riders, it was surely a very special moment that will be remembered for a long time to come. "The overwhelming attendance, the high level of satisfaction among exhibitors and equestrian athletes, and, not least, the outstanding quality of the Haflinger and Edelbluthaflinger horses have convinced us as a board—and in particular Hans Schiller, our representative for the breed and 3rd Chairman of the Bavarian Horse Breeders' Association—to stick with this concept. It also motivates us to raise the bar even higher for 2027," says Tobias Galmbacher, 1st Chairman of the Bavarian Horse Breeders' Association.
Full results can be found on our website at www.bayerns-pferde.de.