As of: April 5, 2024, 4:00 p.m
By: Laura Forster
Comments
Press
Split
The children of the first holiday course at Evelyn Herrmann's riding school, which takes place at the new facility in Straßlach. © Laura Forster
Through a fateful encounter, a riding school finds a new home at the Brandlhof in Straßlach. All curious people are invited to the opening ceremony on Sunday, April 7th.
Straßlach – With his leg bent, his eyes slightly closed, Molto Bene is dozing in his box. The German Riding Pony gelding enjoys a nap before teaching the children in the Easter holiday program how to ride. Molto Bene has recently been living with his four-legged friends from the riding school owned by Evelyn Herrmann on the Brandlhof in Straßlach. The big move from Pöcking on Lake Starnberg to the Isar Valley took place at the beginning of March. Next Sunday, April 7th, Herrmann and her team will be hosting a grand opening ceremony and open day with the owners of the riding facility, Hildegard and Peter Schneider.
Riding school wants to integrate into the town
Primary school-age girls wearing riding helmets and boots scurry across the yard, waiting to sit on the backs of Molto Bene, Rosie, Haitske, Polly, Mieke and Gigolo. It is the first holiday course in the new stable. Evelyn Herrmann previously ran the riding school on the western shore of Lake Starnberg for more than eight years. “Unfortunately the lease has not been extended. “It was a shock at first,” says Herrmann. Giving up the riding school was out of the question for her - even if she knew that it wouldn't be easy to find a new home for the 16 school horses and a few trainers. “I was very lucky. We couldn’t have done it better,” says the qualified sports teacher and BRFV-recognized horse caretaker about the riding school’s new home.
Nevertheless, Herrmann left Pöcking with a tear in his eye. “The whole place was sad, we were very integrated. Countless helpers supported us during the move. I would like to thank everyone again for that.” In Straßlach, Herrmann would also like to become part of the village community with the riding school – for example with pony rides at events or with courses in the local holiday program.
From polo games to eventing training
The team, consisting of several riding instructors, who have moved to the Isar Valley, offers riding lessons for children and young people as well as lessons for adults. “We have beginners, returnees and advanced riders riding,” says Herrmann. The students are trained in dressage and jumping. There are also horse rides. “There is a riding hunt in October” – a tradition that Herrmann has taken over from Pöcking. There are also special courses such as side-saddle riding, eventing training and polo games. “My dream is that everyone has the opportunity to learn to ride,” says Herrmann.
The team from the riding school and the Brandlhof (from left): riding school owner Evelyn Herrmann, riding instructor Isabel Mayer-Forsgard, Yves Met and Ramona Zetzmann with the farm owners Hildegard and Peter Schneider. © Laura Forster
This dream is no longer so easy to achieve as more and more riding schools are closing. The ongoing costs for staff, insurance, feed and rent are rising - staying in the black without raising prices is not easy. Herrmann knows about the problems of her colleagues, but demand at her riding school is high. “We even have waiting lists,” she says. Some of the old customers from Pöcking are now traveling to Straßlach. “Many come from Munich, where the new farm is even closer.” But Herrmann is also happy about new students.
My news
Putin spokesman threatens NATO: “At the level of direct confrontation” read
Many pensioners are entitled to more pension points - but these are only available upon application
Trail of devastation from tornadoes? “We packed up our children and went to the basement” read
ARD documentary ruthlessly covers Germany's Leopard 2 problem for the Bundeswehr
F-16 fighter jets shot down: Putin openly threatens to attack NATO airfield
Putin weakened by the Ukraine war: Is China reaching for Russia's East?read
Riding school and guesthouse
Why do Herrmann and her team feel so comfortable at the Brandlhof? Because the horses are doing well, they are looked after, get good feed and are allowed enough time in the paddock - and the Schneider family always has an open ear. “We weren’t actually looking for a riding school,” says Hildegard Schneider. The couple wanted a change; the boarding business with 45 horses was no longer feasible. “There were always difficulties with the workforce and the effort became more and more.” A consultant at Maschinenring established contact between the riding school owner and the farm owners. They visited each other and realized: It was a good fit. Some of the boarding horses moved out and the school horses moved in. A new hall is even being built so that there are enough alternative options. It's a win-win situation for everyone because the Schneiders have less work since Herrmann has their own stable master, and Herrmann has found a new home for the riding school. “The children come with a smile and leave with a laugh. That’s how it should be,” says Peter Schneider.
Opening ceremony
Anyone who would like to take a closer look at the riding school at Brandlhof in Straßlach, Laufzorner Weg 4, is invited to do so on Sunday, April 7th. The open day will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. After a welcome and introduction, there are pony rides for children and guided tours of the farm. There are cakes, sausages and drinks. Prizes will also be raffled off.