The official founding event will take place at the beginning of September. However, the new European Equestrian Business Association e.V. can already look forward to prominent members from a wide range of industries. With the famous eventing rider and Olympic Champion Ingrid Klimke, an internationally known and popular personality could be won for the office of EEBA President.

Ingrid Klimke: “As an international athlete, I have been closely associated with many companies for a long time and know the importance of good networks and long-standing partnerships. In order to ensure that the horse industry in Europe will be well positioned in the future, I consider it fundamental to bundle competences, know-how and experience across borders”, explains Ingrid Klimke. “If we manage to think more holistically and speak with one voice, we will be able to jointly maintain our position as world market leader and trailblazer in terms of quality, ethics, animal welfare and sustainability in the decades to come. The formation of the EEBA fills a void for our industry, and I’m thrilled to be able to help guide the association as president.” Many other big players in the international equestrian industry have supported the EEBA from the beginning.

Stefan Schwanbeck, Managing Director USG andKieffer, initiator of the EEBA: “The fact that we are receiving so much positive feedback on the establishment of a European trade association for the equine industry is a clear signal that we have hit a gap that will now be filled. I am very much looking forward to future international collaborations!”

Dr Dirk Winter, Professor of Equine Management at Nürtingen University: “Due to the Brexit and the resulting reorientation of the European horse industry, I welcome the foundation of the European Equestrian Business Association e.V. and see many interests represented forthe future. In particular, the bundling of different areas of the equine industry such as the feed and accessory industry, horse farm construction and equipment, breeding and sport but also science and internationaltraining are forward-looking, because only a joint appearance demonstrates the solidarity and strength in the industry.”

Christina Uetz,Event Director EQUITANA: “Europe is a leaderin the global equestrian business.In orderto maintain thisstatus and to be able to master future challenges – be it epidemics, animal welfare issues or competition with other sports – I believe the time has come for an interdisciplinary industry network. Promoting the trust of our customers and sending strong “pro-horse” signals to politicians and the public will be most successful when acting as a group.

Udo Steinbock, Head of Marketing & Communication, EQUOVIS GMBH: “We are delighted that, with EEBA, we have the opportunity to create a Europe-wide, common voice, which will communicate the interests of the equestrian industry to politicians and the public in a unified manner.”

Fabio Colombo, EQUIAIRBAG,Italy: ”As a manufacturer of airbags for riders, EQUIAIRBAG’s focus is on increasing the level of safety in equestrian sports. The EEBA industry network will contribute to and improve safety in equestrian sports. A higherlevel of safety will make the sport attractive to more people and increase the market potential for us. That is why the EEBA has our full support.”

Guido Schmitz, owner Burdorf Landmaschinen GmbH und Co. KG: “We see a great need among our customers for easy-tounderstand guidance on roughage quality and are convinced that it can best be created in close cooperation with other experts from our industry. The EEBA provides the ideal framework for this.” Jan Tönjes, Editor-in-Chief of the equestrian magazine St. GEORG: “The global world is moving closer together every day, consumer demands are growing, and questions about safety, reliable test seals, but also supply chains and sustainability are getting louder. Addressing these together and speaking with one European voice for everything that makes equestrianism and the horse so unique is a milestone for all horse lovers – even beyond European borders.”

Heinrich Eggersmann, Managing Director of Heinrich Eggersmann Futtermittelwerke GmbH: “We support the formation ofthe EEBAasit gives us an ideal framework to share and collaborate with people who care about horses in a similar way to us. Joining forces means achieving more together and advancing the causes of our industry faster.”

Photo: AGENTUR datenreiter / Lutz Kaiser

For further information contact EEBA MD

Anna Lena Grytz,
annalena.grytz@eeb-a.eu
+49 151 72006406

Source: Reitsport Branche