FN annual financial statements 2025 - significant plus
FN with positive annual financial statements for 2025 – the association celebrates itself
from Dominique Wehrmann 
The FN Executive Board and the Presidium presented the annual financial statements for 2025 at the General Assembly in Bad Dürkheim. Photo: Equestrian Sport Germany CEO Dr. Dennis Peiler explained that the consolidation course we have embarked on is taking effect: “Our goal was to generate a plus of EUR 500,000. We have exceeded that.” Compared to the previous year, the result has more than tripled – from around 144,000 euros to 517,000 euros. The fact that an association in a structural crisis is communicating a positive annual result as a strategic breakthrough deserves at least a second glance.
According to CFO Vanessa Richwien, liquidity rose to around three million euros. Peiler announced that he would “continue to build up targeted reserves” in the coming years – a goal that has become necessary in view of years of budgetary problems.
Where does the plus come from?
President Martin Richenhagen categorized the figures as the result of strategic decisions: “We have changed structures, made ourselves leaner and are now thinking more entrepreneurially.” He also referred to the merger of the DOKR and FN and the amendment of the statutes. Whether these reforms will actually have a lasting effect or primarily serve the purpose of internal consolidation remains to be seen.
How exactly the tripling of the annual result came about and where the 3 million euros in reserves came from remains vague in the FN’s statement. An inquiry is currently underway.
Members area under reconstruction
Vice President Annett Schellenberger announced that the circle of Personal Members will be developed into the “Equestrian Sport Germany Club” – including a new logo and a brand identity that will be based on the association’s new identity. The long-standing member magazine PM-Forum will also have a new name from the July issue: “Pferd & Mensch. The magazine for equestrian sport in Germany.” A new layout, a more modern look and a larger number of pages are promised. Readers will be able to judge from the summer whether the elaborate repackaging also offers tangible added value in terms of content.
As far as membership figures are concerned, it is worth taking a sober look: As of December 31, 2025, the association had 50,855 personal members – a decrease of two percent compared to the previous year. Schellenberger referred to the “continued strong increase in membership” since the turn of the year and was optimistic that the realignment would strengthen this trend. However, no reliable figures were available.
The range of seminars developed at a solid level in 2025. A total of almost 17,000 participants took part in around 140 online and face-to-face seminars – figures that speak for themselves and underline the practical core of the membership offering. As part of the realignment, a new group of speakers was also formed for the future club, which includes Schellenberger, Jennifer Becker, Nicola Danner, Gabriele Heydenreich, Dr. Anne Liebetrau, Ronny Trepnau and Rudolph Herzog von Croÿ.
Declines in tournament sport – reactions with question marks
Vice-President Sport Heike Körner once again confirmed what has long been known: “We are seeing a decline in show jumping.” In response, she presented the “100 school horses plus” project, which is being implemented together with the FEI World Equestrian Games Aachen. Around 1,600 clubs had applied and more than 500,000 euros had already been distributed. Körner also called for more low-threshold access to equestrian sport, better service for riding businesses and a reduction in bureaucracy in the LPO – demands that have been circulating in the association for years.
Breeders: a lot of intention, little concrete
Vice President Breeding Carsten Grill explained that it was the “task of the umbrella organization to provide more support to breeders.” Dr. Klaus Miesner added that the association was in contact with associations and political decision-makers and was campaigning for a review of the veterinary fee schedule. Concrete results of these efforts were not mentioned, at least not in the press release.
The topic of the Bundeschampionat for riding horses does not appear in the press release. However, it was mentioned that changes have been made to the test requirements for three and four-year-old horses. “An age-appropriate presentation is particularly important to us,” said Carsten Grill.
