Verden. The best young mares from the Hanoverian breeding region competed at the Herwart von der Decken Show. Hann.Pr.A. Dieke was crowned the show jumping champion mare. Hann.Pr.A. Beautiful Vibe won the yellow-and-white sash for the dressage mares. “The Herwart von der Decken Show is an event with a long tradition and great significance for Hanoverian breeding,” said guest judge Martin Klavsen from Denmark.
The winning mare in the jumping class comes from the very best Hanoverian dam line. Hann.Pr.A. Dieke by Diacontinus/Lincolm L (breeder: Christa Westermann, Dannenberg; exhibitor: ZG Steffen & Hermanski, Dannenberg) impressed Executive Committee member Hergen Forkert and Breeding Director Ulrich Hahne with her performance. The athletic bay mare impressed with her outstanding elasticity, not only over the jump but also in her movement. Added to this was her flawless conformation. On the impressive final ring came the Nevados S/Diamant de Plaisir daughter Hann.Pr.A. Noblesse S (breeder and exhibitor: Ernst Stahlhut, Stadthagen) second. She impressed with her ambition and quick reflexes. The grey mare is no stranger to the top; in April this year, she won the free-jumping competition of the Hanoverian Show Jumping Breeding Programme and was the champion mare at the mare show in Bisperode. “The show jumping mares stood out across the board for their excellent scope. Each one was rightly included in the Herwart von der Decken Show thanks to her high quality,” said Ulrich Hahne, praising the 23 participants.
The winner of the dressage class was greeted with loud applause as she entered the arena. Hann.Pr.A. Beautiful Vibe by Bonds/Christ (breeder: Sebastian Kopp, Röhr, exhibitor: Gestüt Allerhop, Hambühren) lived up to her name. The picture-perfect, uphill-built black mare left nothing to be desired in terms of rhythm and push-off. She has already proven that she is also an outstanding riding horse by winning a riding horse class. The judges Heike Kemmer, Martin Klavsen and Ulrich Hahne rated the reserve winner, Hann.Pr.A. Escalita (breeder and exhibitor: Tobias Schult, Hünxe), as only slightly behind. The Escanto PS/Damon Hill daughter impressed with her expression, distinctiveness, great diligence and reach in her movement. Her dam line of Jucking has been synonymous with success at the Herwart von der Decken Show for years. Her great-granddam, St.Pr.St. Reine Freude, produced the winning family in 2021 and the reserve-winning family in 2025.
“Today we saw a large collection of exceptionally high quality,” said Martin Klavsen. The breeding expert from Denmark assessed the 50 mares alongside Heike Kemmer and Ulrich Hahne. “It was clear to see just how much work, expertise and passion goes into every single mare. It is inspiring to see how the Hanoverian Society continues to set standards in sport horse breeding.”
A particular highlight of the Herwart von der Decken Show is the presentation of the Friedrich Jahncke Prize for the highest-rated family of the year. This prestigious award was presented to the family of the St.Pr.St. Sammy Jo by Silvio/Escudo II. She and her two Cador daughters, Hann.Pr.St. Confetti M and Hann.Pr.A. Catch Me M – the former being a Hanoverian show jumping champion – had already left Dobrock as a Gold Family. This marked a special success for the Mahler breeding family from Neuhaus. Last year, the family of Coco M by Comte/Escudo II won the Herwart von der Decken Prize at the same venue.
Full list of results: https://www.hannoveraner.com/app/uploads/2026/08/2026_Herwart-von-der-Decken-Schau_Dressurstuten.pdf
Photo: Champion Mare Dressage Hann.Pr.A. Beautiful Vibe with Carsten Leopold, Thomas Berger, Dr. Frederic Bünger, Heike Kemmer und Martin Klavsen. (Photo: Hanoverian Society).