Warendorfer Hengstparades

Warendorf — Horse City in Münsterland

Warendorf, with around 38,000 inhabitants, is the district town of the Warendorf district in Münsterland (Münster administrative region), known as the “Horse City of Germany". It is home to the North Rhine-Westphalian State Stud, the German Olympic Committee for Equestrian Sports (DOKR), the German Equestrian Federation (FN), and numerous equestrian training facilities. Anyone pursuing a career in German equestrian sports will sooner or later pass through Warendorf.

200 Years of NRW State Stud — A Historic Anniversary

The North Rhine-Westphalian State Stud Warendorf was founded in 1826 — in 2026, it celebrates its 200th anniversary. The State Stud breeds stallions and makes their semen available for breeding in NRW and far beyond. With over 100 breeding stallions in the Westphalian Warmblood, Rhineland, Pony, and especially the Rhenish-German Coldblood breeds, it is one of Europe's most important horse breeding institutions.

Stallion Parades — Equestrian Spectacle

The Stallion Parades are the highlight of the horse year in Warendorf — a show where the stud's stallions demonstrate their class in various performances. The program combines tradition and spectacle: historic carriages with their authentic harnesses, quadrilles in traditional uniforms, fast-paced jumps, and acrobatic highlights. The Rhenish-German Coldblood receives its own demonstration with plow demonstrations.

Dates 2026 — 200th Anniversary

Three dates for the anniversary year:

• Saturday, September 19, 2026 — Stallion Parade Day 1
• Sunday, September 20, 2026 — Stallion Parade Day 2
• Saturday, September 26, 2026 — Night Parade (Special event for the anniversary)

Daily Schedule — Typical Stallion Parade

A day at the stallion parades is structured:

• Admission from 11:00 a.m.
• 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Stable Tour — Visitors can look behind the scenes, visit the stallions in their boxes, and talk to the grooms
• 2:00 p.m.: Parade Begins — For over two hours, 100 stallions showcase their skills in various disciplines
• 45-minute break
• Approx. 5:30 p.m.: Conclusion

For the Night Parade on September 26, the schedule is adapted for the evening: Admission from 4 p.m., stable tours 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m., ending around 10:30 p.m. — illuminated with special lighting design for the evening atmosphere.

Commentator Carsten Sostmeier

For years, the host and commentator has been Carsten Sostmeier — one of the most famous voices in German equestrian sports and horse TV (ZDF, NDR). His blend of expertise, humor, and pathos makes the stallion parades accessible to both laypeople and insiders.