Name: Landesringreiten in Vaale 2026
Start: 2026-09-20T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-20T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Vaale (Festumzugsroute durch das Dorf)

Landesringreiten Vaale

About Landesringreiten Vaale

The Landesringreiten in Vaale is one of the largest ring-riding tournaments in Schleswig-Holstein and the main event of the Ringreiterverband Marsch-Geest e.V., which unites the riding clubs between the Eider and Elbe rivers. On September 20, 2026, riders from the Steinburg district and the surrounding marsh and geest communities will gather in the municipality of Vaale (Amt Schenefeld) to crown the best lance shooters in 30 competition rounds. The tournament will be opened with a festive parade through the village starting at 9:30 AM — riders in Frisian costume, brass bands, and club banners will march down the main street before the actual lance throwing begins on the competition meadow. A true folk tradition of Frisian riding culture, embedded in the intangible cultural heritage of Schleswig-Holstein.

Dates 20 Sep — 20 Sep 2026

Venue Vaale (01061)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Landesringreiten Vaale — edition 2026

The 2026 Landesringreiten in Vaale takes place on Sunday, September 20. Festive parade starts at 9:30 AM through the village, followed by competition in 30 rounds (15 in the morning, 15 in the afternoon), awards ceremony at 4:00 PM. Organizer: Ringreiterverband Marsch-Geest e.V.

The 2026 Landesringreiten in Vaale is the main tournament of the Ringreiterverband Marsch-Geest e.V. and brings together the best riders from the region for an all-day competition. Following the morning parade, 30 competition rounds will take place, where participants compete for the state championship titles. The Ringreiterverband Marsch-Geest e.V. unites the riding clubs of the marsh and geest region between the Eider and Elbe rivers — a region with centuries of riding tradition.

Highlights Landesringreiten Vaale 2026

Festive parade through Vaale starting at 9:30 AM, 30 competition rounds, awards ceremony at 4:00 PM, marquee with food and live music.

Programme Landesringreiten Vaale 2026

Schedule — Sunday, September 20, 2026 in Vaale

8:45 AM — Arrival and assembly of participating clubs
9:00 AM — Line-up at the festival grounds, welcome by the board of the Ringreiterverband Marsch-Geest e.V.
9:30–10:30 AM — Festive Parade through the municipality of Vaale with riders in Frisian costume, club banners, and brass bands
10:30 AM — Start of competition: 15 rounds (morning session)
12:00 PM — Lunch break with catering in the marquee
1:00 PM — Resumption: another 15 rounds (afternoon session)
4:00 PM — Awards Ceremony and conclusion

Detailed participant and club list available at amt-schenefeld.de.

Prices Landesringreiten Vaale 2026

Free admission. Food, drinks, live music, and dancing in the marquee at moderate prices.

Practical information

Practical information — Landesringreiten Vaale

Getting There

Vaale is located in the Steinburg district on the B431, about 12 km northeast of Itzehoe. By car via the A23 (exit Itzehoe-Nord, then continue on the B431). By train to Itzehoe or Wilster and from there by taxi.

Admission

Free. Food, drinks, and raffles available on-site at moderate prices.

Ring Riding in the Marsh and Geest

Ring riding is a traditional equestrian discipline in Northern Germany: riders gallop towards a loop (the ring) suspended from a pole and try to pierce it with a lance. What originated in the 19th century in the Frisian farming world was added to the intangible cultural heritage list of Schleswig-Holstein in 2021. The Ringreiterverband Marsch-Geest e.V. is one of the most important associations in the region and organizes the Landesringreiten annually — the highlight of the tournament season.

Vaale: Small Municipality, Big Tradition

Vaale, with around 1,200 inhabitants, is located in the Steinburg district in the state of Schleswig-Holstein and belongs to the Amt Schenefeld. For generations, the municipality has been a center of equestrian sports in the region and has produced one of Northern Germany's traditional riding tournaments. In 2026, Vaale will once again be the venue for the Landesringreiten.

30 Rounds, One Winner

The competition format is demanding: 30 rounds (15 in the morning, 15 in the afternoon) — each rider competes multiple times, the ring gets smaller with each round, and the points are added up. Whoever has the most hits in the most difficult rounds at the end will be crowned state champion. The sporting competition is accompanied by a folk festival: a marquee with food and drinks, stalls, and live music and dancing in the evening.

The Morning Parade

The event kicks off with the festive parade through the municipality of Vaale from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM — riders in Frisian costume, club banners, brass bands, and floats march down the main street. Afterwards, the participants gather on the competition meadow.