Once again we are taking a group to the greatest show in the world – Aachen, but before that we are visiting some fairly special places. The 2023 tour was fabulous, ask anyone who was on it, and the 2024 tour is shaping as something really special…

I couldn’t have been happier with how our 2023 Aachen + pre-tour went. It helped that we had such a lovely group, really caring and enjoyed each other’s company.

I went to a lot of trouble to put together a balanced program and it was great that  people noted and appreciated how very different each day was, and that instead of going to the over-used equestrian tourist spots, we were welcomed at cutting edge studs and training barns, and not a cent was spent gaining access, it seems that THM tours are welcomed by some very knowledgeable and interesting people.

2023 was a bit Dutch orientated, starting as it did with a fabulous visit to John Hamminga and Jennifer Sékreve, but we are determined that the 2024 edition will be totally new and fresh, so we are heading into the heart of German horse breeding and riding, Lower Saxony and the Hanoverian breeding district.

Our first stop will be truly sensational on about four levels. Hans-Heinrich Brüning is one of the world’s most successful horse breeders. His farm of 187 has been owned by the Brüning family since the year 1430. Hans-Heinrich’s breeding.

Hans Heinrich and his winning line of Carina mares in 2009

One of the most famous horses he has produced in recent times was the World Champion six year old, Zucchero. Mares from his farm are regular stars at the number one Hanoverian mare show, the Herwart von der Decken.

The Brüning family have won this prestigious class at the Herwart von der Decken show three times – in 2007, 2009 and 2017

Of recent years, Hans-Heinrich has teamed up with that supremely elegant Swedish rider, Jessica-Lynn Thomas. People are still talking about her ride on Secret at the World Young Horse in Ermelo. We will not only have the opportunity to inspect the Brüning young stock and breeding mares, but also watch Jessica-Lynn train…

But there’s even more. Hans-Heinrich’s wife and daughter run one of Germany’s most beautiful boutique hotels, the Forsthaus Helligenberg

With an internationally renowned dining room…

As I said, it’s going to be hard topping or equally our opening visit of the 2023 tour but we think we’ve found a way…

We plan on continuing our Hanoverian theme, with a visit the next day to the famous Hengststation Pape, meeting up with my friends Ingo and Susan Pape and their astonishing collection of stallions.

Descapacito – one of the Pape stallions

 

Then we travel back to Horse City – Verden, and one of our favorite hotels, Akzent Hotel Höltje

Next day it is off to the offices of the Hanoverian Verband, for a lecture / study session on the Hanoverian breed, before we travel in the afternoon to the famous Stallion Station at Celle.

Some of the most famous stallions of all time have been based in these historic buildings..

One of the highlights of the 2023 tour was the mare and foal show, especially for one of our group who went home with the premium foal of the show. Some of our other travelers were amazed that brilliantly bred foals were available for a fraction of the prices being asked in Australia and New Zealand… Well this is your chance, we are headed to one of the most exciting foal shows of them all right now we are deciding just which of the super lineup we will visit…

But we are not going to ignore our Dutch friends entirely, our last visit before Aachen will be to internationally famous competitor, trainer, judge and breeding expert, Bert Rutten.

Amongst the people Bert helps you’ll find Sönke Rothenberger, and he is greatly in demand in the United States. Bert is also a deep thinker, and someone who is not afraid to speak his mind, the visit to his training stables is going to be a real highlight…

Then it’s off to Aachen and we book into the Aquis Grana, and get ready to enjoy all the action at what is going to be a very special Aachen as the world’s top riders battle for places in their team.

For all the information, just contact our travel partner, Kerrie O’Dea at Organisation Unlimited reception@organisationunlimited.com.au