Holga Finken – a somewhat different career!

Born in Hemmoor, Northern Germany, his first experiences in the riding world were made as a 12 year old on the neighbours’ pony.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before a nasty fall instilled a healthy amount of fear in him. This resulted in a year-long break from horses and riding – a year spent rowing with friends.

At 14 years old, he decided to give riding another go.

One year later, his father enrolled him in the local riding club. „There, I lent a helping hand wherever and whenever I could. That was how I earned my riding lessons“ remembers Holga. His professional career began to take shape when his first riding instructor discovered Holgas huge talent and sent him to Verden to meet Achim Weist.

„At the time, I was training to be an electrician. My mother was less than pleased when she heard about my plans to start a career in horseback riding.“ Despite this, the electrican’s career was abandoned in  favour of horses and he began his schooling to be a Bereiter at Mr Achim Weist’s stables. He stayed there until 1986, when he went to Verden to be a auction rider.

Between these two stations in his life, Holga spent a 6-month intermezzo at Herbert Rehbeins stables. This master, who died much too early, left a deep impression on Holga.

"Herbert Rehbein was and will always remain a huge Idol for me. Not only was he an excellent trainer, but he was a fine man in all aspects. Always helpful, kind and friendly!“

In November of 1990 Holga and his wife at the time, Birgit, moved to their own stables in Kirchwalsede, thus starting his own independent venture. They bought a 165 year old farm, spending a great deal of time and thought renovating the old house, building stables and an arena, fencing paddocks and fields.

„During that time, I was lucky enough to be supported by my parents, who bought the then 11-year old Rigoletto for me. Formerly owned by Herbert Rehbein, this horse enabled my first successes all the way up to Intermediare I“.

1993 turned out to be a fantastic year for Holga: 18 wins at S-Level on Rigoletto and Frauenheld. Holga was state champion in Hanover with Frauenheld. The successful dressage rider was awarded the Goldene Reitabzeichen (awarded to riders with at least 10 wins at S-level) during the Gala evening at Verden.

With Wie Weltmeyer, whose training and successes began at dressage classes level A (first level) and who was later sold to England, Holga was able to establish himself well in the Grand-Prix Elite, culminating in the nomination to the B-Team at the end of 1998.