100 School Horses plus – an initiative to support riding schools in Germany
The 100 School Horses plus initiative, which was jointly launched by the German Equestrian Federation and the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 at the end of 2026, pursues a clear goal: To provide tangible support to riding schools in Germany and secure children and youths access to the equestrian sport long-term. The focus of the initiative lies on financial assistance for purchasing new school horses – the Sparkasse Finance Group supplements this with an additional grant for one horse per federal state.
“Supporting this initiative as a partner – and thus building a bridge between the foundation and top competition sport – is a matter close to our hearts; we can use the World Equestrian Championships as an opportunity to make a positive impact on the entire equestrian community throughout Germany,” emphasised Stefanie Peters, President of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein. German riding schools are indeed faced with a precarious situation: “If no action is taken, approximately 20 to 30 percent of the facilities that keep school horses and offer riding lessons will be forced to close within just a few years,” stated Thomas Ungruhe, Head of the Equestrian Sport Development Department at the German Equestrian Federation, the umbrella equestrian organisation in Germany.
“Whereby, riding schools are absolutely indispensable as the introduction to equestrian sports,” explained Stefanie Peters. “Even the top stars all started from scratch – in the vast majority of cases, on a school horse that they will remember for the rest of their lives. That is why we are delighted that the 100 School Horses plus initiative allows us to provide assistance to riding schools across Germany. Since without this basis, top competition sport wouldn’t be possible.”
The 100 School Horses plus initiative is a true milestone project. Its name stems from the very core of the project: Over the next few years, the purchase of 100 school horses is to be subsidised, with each purchase being funded by a grant of 5,000 Euros. The “plus” refers to the nine additional measures that aim to provide further support to riding schools. These additional services include, among other things, the procurement of feed and bedding, the registration of school horses for competitive events and financial support for trainer education. All these initiatives will be made possible through the assistance of sponsors.
The Sparkasse Finance Group is currently making a particularly significant contribution. As one of the World Equestrian Championships’ partners, the Group is asserting itself for this key issue and thus strengthening riding schools throughout the country. Over the coming months, the Sparkasse Finance Group will provide 5,000 Euros in funding for the acquisition of one new school horse in each of Germany’s federal states, thereby playing a decisive role in stabilising the foundation of the equestrian sport.
“Riding schools are places where young people not only learn to ride, but where they also gain character-shaping experiences – from team spirit through to a sense of responsibility,” explained Dr. Heike Kramer, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at the Sparkasse Finance Group. “That is why we feel it is important to promote this valuable work and safeguard access to equestrian sports.” Through this support, the Sparkasse Finance Group is demonstrating how corporate social responsibility can have a tangible impact at regional level: hands-on, targeted and close to the people.
Clubs that run riding schools – as well as clubs engaged in cooperations – that are members of a regional equestrian federation can apply below to receive funding support. To ensure equal opportunities for all, a prize draw system will determine which riding schools receive the support.
