Traditional horse blessing in Landsham - also for rocking horse
Created: 12/27/2022, 06:00
By: Armin Roesl
Theo Sterzer came with his carnival wagon team.
© Johannes Dziemballa
After a two-year Corona break, the Stefaniritt took place again on Boxing Day in Landsham (municipality of Pliening).
Not only real horses were blessed.
Landsham – lucky weather for the local club Pliening: Only after the Stefani ride with horse blessing was over yesterday, Boxing Day, did the sky overcast and it started to wind and rain.
During the event itself, the sun bathed the St. Stephen's Church in Landsham and the surrounding area in a warm light, and the temperatures were correspondingly mild.
After a two-year Corona break, the traditional Stefaniritt took place again - with numerous horses and teams.
Among them was a funny vehicle from Theo Sterzer from Pliening: He, who organizes the annual carnival procession, had pulled a rocking horse in front of his small, iconic carnival float.
All riders were led by Helmut Stocker, reports the home club.
Of course, real horses were also blessed.
© Johannes Dziemballa
The branch church in Landsham is dedicated to Saint Stephen, who is considered the patron saint of horses.
Decades ago, a farmer donated a horse made of wax, the so-called "Landshamer Rössl", as thanks for the healing of his sick horse, which can still be seen in the church today.
At the Stefaniritt, the Pliening local history association hands out small, hand-made wax horses as a celebration.
The association also offers a small drink for visitors.
(By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Ebersberg newsletter.)
The custom of blessing horses on St. Stephen's Day (December 26) is ancient.
Exactly ten years ago, in 2012, the then chairman of the home club, Stefan Seizl, revived the tradition in Landsham.
Before that, in 1950, the last horse blessing was at St. Stephen's Church.
There was a lot going on at the home club, which provided a drink.
© Johannes Dziemballa
Even after Seizl's death in 2018, the local history club is sticking to the tradition and organizing the Stefaniritt every year.
Except for 2021 and 2020, when this was not possible due to the corona pandemic.
You can find more current news from the district of Ebersberg at Merkur.de/Ebersberg.