Relevant topics are addressed and discussed in practical articles, with a particular focus on customs and the importance of rural regions as an interface between traditional knowledge and current specialist information.
On October 11, 2024, the second forum focusing on pack animal husbandry and horse breeding in the Alpine region took place in the Styrian municipality of Irdning-Donnersbachtal. The event kicked off in the rooms of the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein castle, providing perfect conditions for the more than 100 participants, presenters, and exhibitors from across Austria. After a welcome address by Mayor Herbert Gugganig, who has close ties to the equestrian industry, Paul Kendlbacher, President of the Austrian Rural Riders and Drivers Association, highlighted the importance of the horse as a working animal and its current uses. As historian Gertrud Grilz-Seger was unfortunately unable to attend due to a last-minute illness, Irene Mösenbacher from Haus Raumberg-Gumpenstein took over this role, outlining the history of pack animal trade with reference to regional characteristics such as the pack trail at the Sölk Pass, which was only accessible later in the season. She received support from Albert Schweizer, a packhorse expert in the audience and the network hub for packhorse enthusiasts in Bavaria, Switzerland, South Tyrol, and Austria, who spontaneously shared his extensive knowledge with those present. Walter Werni, an indispensable figure in the equestrian world, delivered a captivating presentation on the importance of correct conformation in breeding stallions and mares, offered recommendations for mating decisions, and repeatedly emphasized the functionality of horses in diverse fields. Ultimately, he concluded, it is the temperament that determines whether today's working horses are willing and suitable for their intended purpose as riding, driving, or working horses.
Under favorable weather conditions, the event moved to the outdoor grounds of the research institute. There, with expert commentary by Walter Werni, a breeding show featuring the most important and best dam lines of the Liezen district took place. Breeder and owner Peter Neuper from Bad Mitterndorf opened the show with his 2016 Noriker black mare Evita (1st Reserve Champion at the 2019 State Elite Mare Show in Laintal and 2nd place in his group at the 2020 National Show for broodmares in show class 1b), sired by Edelweiß and bred by Franz Elmar XIII. At the initiative of Heinz Hutegger, not only was the foundation mare of his Haflinger breeding program presented, but also a highly interesting progeny show. His daughter, Sarah Hutegger from Rohrmoos/Schladming, presented the 2003 mare Paris (bred by Johann Stocker, Ramsau), sired by the VPr. Prinzessin and dam by Wilderich. Numerous successful offspring adorn this mare, who, as second reserve champion of the state elite mare show at the 2007 Federal Show, achieved show class 1b among the barren mares and, in 2008, produced the Federal Champion filly, Padolina. She was followed by her highly successful 7-year-old daughter, State Premium Mare Parola, by PrH Adonis, bred by Heinz Hutegger and owned and presented by Michael Waldmann (Kuchl, Salzburg). As second reserve champion of the 4-year-old riding horses and reserve champion of the younger barren mares (Federal Show 2023), she achieved a 3rd place at the Federal Championship for Rural Drivers in Viechtwang this year, as well as 7th place at the European Championship for Haflinger Horses at the Stadl-Paura Equestrian Center. She also has a licensed son, Ambros-W (born in 2021). The final event of this showcase of outstanding breeding horses was Avalon, a licensed stallion born in 2018, bred by Heinz Hutegger and owned by the Haflingerverein Pongau and presented by stallion owner Josef Rohrmoser from Flachau (Salzburg). Avalon is out of the State Premium Mare Padolina (daughter of Paris) by Premium Stallion Adonis. He was the 2018 State Champion and Federal Reserve Champion of colt foals, licensed and winner of the 2021 performance test, State Reserve Champion and Federal Reserve Champion of the riding horse test in 2022, and has already sired State Champion and Federal Reserve Champion foals from his offspring.
Walter Werni congratulated all the exhibitors on the excellently presented horses and wished them continued success in breeding and sport.
After a short break, participants were given an insight into the world of pack animal handling, presented with extensive expertise and practical experience by Anja Greunz (Upper Austria) and Christian Aigner (Lower Austria), and ably assisted by the two Noriker mares, Lady and Evita. A wide variety of equipment was presented, emphasizing the crucial importance of a good fit and correct, even loading of the pack saddles. The diverse applications sparked great interest among the participants, ranging from supplying alpine huts with food to assisting with the maintenance of pasture fences.
Thus, this second horse forum came to a wonderful close with concluding remarks by Wolfgang Ehmeier (Chairman of Pferdekraft Austria) and Irene Mösenbacher as organizer, with a big thank you to all helping hands, exhibitors/sponsors and speakers, and will be continued in 2025.
Pictures from the 2024 Horse Forum in Gumpenstein
