German Youth Icelandic Horse Championship 2026 (DJIM) Grothusenkoog

The DJIM — Youth Championship with Tradition

The German Youth Icelandic Horse Championship is the most important competition for German youth Icelandic horse riders. It is organized by the Icelandic Horse Rider and Breeder Association Germany (IPZV) and annually gathers around 400 young riders from all over the country, from the North to Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The competition days last for five days and decide the young German champions in several age groups.

Six Classic Disciplines

The competition includes the six recognized disciplines of Icelandic horse riding:

• Tölt — the famous four-beat gait that only Icelandic horses master naturally
• Four-gait — Combines walk, trot, tölt, and canter
• Five-gait — Also includes the pace
• Pace — High-speed gait over short distances
• Dressage — Classic dressage program adapted for Icelandic horses
• Cross-country ride — Distance ride through the marsh landscape of Eiderstedt

Eichenhof in Grothusenkoog

The venue for 2026 is, for the first time, Peter Nagel's Eichenhof in Grothusenkoog — a small village in the Amt Eiderstedt, which belongs to the town of Tönning. The farm has several riding arenas, spacious stables, pastures, and accommodation for participants and horses. The marsh landscape of Eiderstedt with its dikes, vast meadows, and constant North Sea wind offers a special setting for the competitions.

First Time in North Frisia

The DJIM rotates to a different venue in Germany each year. In 2026, it will come to North Frisia for the first time — an important recognition of the vibrant Icelandic horse scene in Schleswig-Holstein. For the region, this means a significant boost in sports events: 400 participants plus families, trainers, and companions result in an audience of over 1,500 people who will liven up the Eiderstedt region for five days.

More Than Competition — Camp Life and Supporting Program

As with many Icelandic horse tournaments, the social dimension is an important part of the experience. A small tent city will be set up at Eichenhof for the tournament days. There will be evening show programs with riding demonstrations, live music, campfires, communal meals, and a family program for the siblings of the participants. The atmosphere combines sporting seriousness with communal experience.

Eiderstedt — The Peninsula of Horses and Dikes

Tönning and Grothusenkoog are located in the North Frisia district in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, on the Eiderstedt peninsula between the Eider estuary and Sankt Peter-Ording. The region has been shaped by agriculture for centuries; many farms have a tradition of horse breeding. The choice of Grothusenkoog as the DJIM venue connects with this equestrian identity.