In November, Martin Richenhagen still referred to the German Equestrian Association (FN) as a renovation case, now after the first 100 days of his term, he took a balance that gives hope for quick recovery. If it happens as the new president imagines.
First of all, it was necessary to get the finances in order. If the association of the association was just under a million euros in 2022/23, 140,000 euros were recorded in the following year; This year it should be more than twice as much, 300,000 euros. In five years, Richenhagen plans to generate 500,000 euros a year and in the long run a reserve of three million euros for bad times. An apprenticeship from Corona pandemic, from the consequences of which equestrian sport has not completely recovered. This is necessary to “get into a quiet fairway. It will take a few years, but it is necessary. You never know when the next crisis will come,” said Richenhagen on Monday at the association’s headquarters in Warendorf. The 72-year-old, who has been running the FN since last autumn, brought many years of experience as a CEO of a US country machinery company to his new office.
:Every horse welding drop under observation
More and more spectators are filming equestrian sport – also to make possible cruelty to animals public. The World Association prohibits the publication of videos, the transparency is welcomed in sports.
He wants to achieve his goals by streamlining the administrative apparatus, instead of four there should only be two full -time chairpersons. One of them will be the previous sports director Dennis Peiler, as the successor to the Soenke Lauterbach, who was left out at the end of 2024, whose title “General Secretary” will be replaced by “Chairman”. Sounds more modern, says Richenhagen. Financial expert Vanessa Richwien is at his side. The departments are to be melted from seven to four, which also saves staff.
Home office is now limited to one day a week in the association center
So far, Richenhagen has been after operating dismissals, the FN have left ten employees, mostly for reasons of age, this year should be saved again this year. In addition, a new IT system and a monthly reporting system were introduced, home office was limited to one day a week. The most profound structural change will be the merging of the FN with the German Olympics Committee for Cavalry (DOKR), which deals exclusively with top sport. It was founded in 1913 and is therefore older than the FN. The legal details for the merger are currently being checked. Today 120 full-time employees work for the FN, for the DOKR 40.
While top German sport is still well positioned, as not least the success of the rider in Paris 2024 (four gold, one silver), the basis in the clubs and clubs is crucial for the future of sport. It is in need, among other things due to the drastic increase in veterinary costs. Many riders can no longer afford their horse, and many riding schools no longer hold school horses where beginners can have their first experiences. If you don’t get from a very wealthy parents’ house, it is difficult to start a career on horseback. “Of course, I also completed my first riding lessons on a school horse,” said the eight-time dressage Olympic champion Isabell Werth.
With the “100 School Horse Plus” campaign, the FN wants to tackle the problem together with the organizers of the 2026 World Championships in Aachen. Riding schools can apply for funding. The first sponsored school pony named Calio has already moved into the Butzbach riding club.