The Verden Auction system has offered a huge range of horses for over 60 years
Isabell Werth does it, Dorothee Schneider does it, and Christian Ahlmann, too. Kristina Bröhring-Sprehe as well. They are all riding Hanoverian horses, discovered and purchased at one of the Verden auctions. Dressage star Kristina Bröhring-Sprehe, for example, celebrated her biggest successes with the Hanoverian stallion Desperados FRH by De Niro/Wolkenstein II. Desperados FRH was purchased from Verden at the stallion sales 2003. He won team Gold medal at the Olympic Games in Rio and was in the lead of the WBFSH worldwide ranking again in 2016.
One horse particularly shined in Rio de Janeiro: No less than the cover hero of the Verden Auction on January 21, 2017, team gold medallist Entebbe de Hus. He won an amazing title with the French team and his rider Karim Florent Laghouag: team Olympic champion. He had already won the bronze medal at the European Championships at Blair Castle in 2015 with the tricolour team. Many international victories and placings turn Entebbe de Hus into one of the most successful event horses worldwide. Discovered in Verden – successful all over the world!
Entebbe de Hus’ career started in Verden
There are countless success stories of former Verden auction horses. On every continent. But they are not only ridden at international show grounds, but also in riding clubs and private neighbouring stables. Whether at rural tournaments, junior or senior competitions, in young horse classes, or cross country tests or hacking through forests and trails – former Verden auction horses have one thing in common: they are reliable sport and pleasure partners.
But what exactly is the story behind the brand Verden Auction (VA)? How does the auction work, and how you purchase an auction horse?
The Verden auction concept is very simple and is available to all those who would like to buy a horse. The auctions are held in the Riders’ Town of Verden, more precisely in the Niedersachsenhalle, every two months. Riding horses, foals, brood mares, licensed and non-licensed stallions are offered for sale. The Hannoveraner Verband, an association of breeders, hosts and organizes the Verden auctions. Products of the Hanoverian breeding program are sold. The auction venue in Verden saves time lost in searching for horses in different stables. There is a huge selection of horses at one place.
Can every horse become a Verden auction horse?
Verden auction horses have to meet high requirements. A selection committee inspects and chooses among some 500 riding horses, presented by their breeders. The selection criteria are strict with high demands being placed on quality. Horses are chosen for all equestrian disciplines. The focus is on dressage, show jumping, pleasure riding and eventing.
Riding horse auctions are held in January, March, May, July, October and November with some 100 riding horses, suitable for dressage, show jumping, pleasure riding and eventing, being offered for sale. Average age of the horses is three to five. The collections are compiled so as to match all the different demands. Horse’s health has top priority in Verden. All riding horses are X-rayed and checked by the vet. The results are available at the vet office and can also be viewed online. The riding horses are published online on the Internet, including photo, video clip, pedigree and description one month prior to the auction and also presented in an auction brochure.
What is the schedule of the Verden Auction?
The horses arrive in Verden two weeks before the auction, at the start of the training period. They are then shown publicly by the riders of the Hannoveraner Verband during daily training. Interested parties and potential customers are invited to watch the horses while they are being trained in groups. There is time to follow the presentation of the young horses, similar to the performances they present in young horse development classes. And time to learn more about the horses from the customer advisors of the Hannoveraner Verband who will be pleased to assist you in finding your perfect match.
It is possible to test your favourite horse after the presentation. Accompanied and mentored by customer advisor and rider, the customers have the opportunity to mount their favourite horse. After the test riding date, there is time to go to the vet office to look at the X-rays and clinical reports. The X-rays of the individual horses are also available online.
See here the video: behind the scenes of the Verden Auction
The auction day
The day of the auction approaches. Each auction is held in the Niedersachsenhalle which has a capacity to welcome more than 2,500 visitors. We recommend ordering seat tickets by email in advance to ensure best possible visual contact with the auctioneer.
You should not miss attending the auction yourself, but we can also provide the service of telephone bidding. Return the completed bidding order, available on our website, by email. Our employees will call you as soon as your favourite horse enters the auction arena.
The auction starts as of 03:00 pm. The horses will enter the auction arena in the order of catalogue numbers. There is buzz in the air when the fanfare sounds and the first horse enters the auction arena. Visitors’ faces in the stands are filled with excitement as their glances wander from auctioneer, to bidding customers, to the horse that is quietly trotting up and down the arena of the Niedersachsenhalle, not knowing that it is the main actor of a thrilling spectacle. And then: the gavel is going down! The horse is sold, the new owners are happy and the audience honours the purchase with applause.
Such scenes happen almost every month in Verden. Each auction has its own dynamic, each auction is different, but the principles are always the same. Exhibitor and purchaser meet at the stall of the horse after acceptance of the bid. Rider and groom will be pleased to assist in the communication.
The auction invoice
The purchased horse can be directly paid for in cash after the auction. With presentation of your passport, an invoice will be issued to easily settle the purchase amount from home. The staff of the Hannoveraner Verband continues its service for the horse until it can be picked up. The horses are ridden and provided with everything they need. The training includes many relaxing exercises – forwards/downwards is the motto. The auction office assists you in organising the transport to the new stable and establishes the contact with forwarders, also specialized in oversea exports.
It is also possible to have the purchased horse trained for a longer period in Verden and to have the professional experts of the Hannoveraner team taking care of it. Presentations at horse shows included.
Your way to Verden
… is pretty simple. Thanks to the good co-operation with the airline Lufthansa, we have the opportunity to offer customers who would like to travel to Verden by airplane, favourable flight offers.
The advantages are obvious
In summary, we can say that the Verden auction is the perfect opportunity for all horse searchers. Interesting and attractive collections are compiled every two months, for all levels and budgets and for all kinds of equestrian sport. Dressage, show jumping, event and pleasure riders will find a talented and loyal partner with their Verden auction horse.
Selected for the market and objectively offered to the customers – this is the credo. The Verden auctions were launched more than 60 years ago – 1949 – by visionary Hans Joachim Köhler to support breeders in the sale of their animals. And they still service this purpose. The intention is, of course, to offer the perfect horse for riders and breeders. Satisfying customer’s needs is the motivation of all members of staff of the Training and Sales Centre.
The formerly developed system is still applied today. There have been, of course, regular changes and improvements, but the foundation has remained untouched: the auction at Verden distinguishes itself right up to today with thorough selection of auction candidates, high demands on quality, rideability, character, health and a training period in Verden, before the horses are put up for auction – these features characterize the first-class reputation worldwide.
Even talents for dressage, showjumping, hunter or eventing sports – Verden is also a good place to find the perfect riding horse for leisure riders
Verden Auction on January 21
Are planning to purchase a horse? The collection of the Verden Auction on January 21 features stars of tomorrow and friends for a lifetime. We will be happy to present an exquisite collection of dressage, show jumping, eventing and pleasure horses! The collection includes 98 riding horses, thoroughly chosen, test ridden and vet checked – for you!
Welcome for the Verden Auction! Take your seat in the Niedersachsenhalle, attend the auction training from January 9 – 21 and arrange a test riding date with our customer advisors. We will find your perfect match! Please find here further information.