Anders Sjöbeck Hoeck is not allowed to compete in Denmark and Germany in 2026 for animal welfare reasons, among others

The association’s statement reads verbatim:

The background to this decision is an overall assessment of Anders Hoeck’s conduct and its consequences.

In equestrian sport, the welfare of the horse has top priority. Their welfare must take precedence over the interests and wishes of breeders, trainers, riders, owners, grooms, organizers, sponsors and officials. It has become clear to the Danish Riding Federation (DRF) that Anders Hoeck’s actions in this regard are not compatible with the values and ethical guidelines of the DRF.

(…) With this decision we want to ensure the welfare of the horses in our sport, protect the Technical Directors and other officials, maintain a well-functioning competition environment and safeguard the reputation of the sport.

At the end of the year, they want to review whether to lift the lockdown.

Background

In mid-August 2023, Anders Sjöbeck Hoeck was disqualified from a mare performance test because, according to Technical Delegate Birgitte Tribler, he was violent towards the horse and did not moderate his behavior despite being asked to do so. As a result, the 22-year-old was initially banned from all breeding events organized by the Danish Warmblood Breeding Association, but was still allowed to take part in competitions.

Meanwhile, the Sjøbeck Hoeck family, who own the well-known Hesselhoj stud farm (where Hesselhoj Donkey Boy, among others, comes from), sued the association representative for defamation of character in a civil court case. In November 2025, the court ruled in favor of Birgitte Tribler.

As Eurodressage reports in its review of the case, the Anders Hoeck family has appealed against the court decision.

For the time being, Anders Sjöbeck Hoeck will not only be excluded from sporting events in Denmark in 2026, but also from breeding events. This is because the DRF’s decisions also apply to events organized by the Warmblood Breeding Association.

German regulations

The German FN has a similar rule: A rider banned by the FEI or a national FN may not participate in PLS in Germany in accordance with Section 65 Clauses 1.3 and 1.4 LPO, unless the German FN has decided otherwise in the specific case. Pursuant to Section 20(1) LPO, a rider who has been banned by the FEI or a national FN may also be refused the issue of an annual competition license that has already been issued or have one withdrawn.

In theory, it is therefore possible for the German FN to grant a permit to a rider who has been banned by another federation. However, as EQUI PAGES has learned after asking the FN, it is the FN’s plan to adopt the decision of the Danish federation.

Participants in German tournaments

The question of how the FN will deal with the case is relevant because Anders Sjobeck Hoeck also regularly rides at German shows, especially at the Trakehner Bundesturnier, but also at the Bundeschampionat and most recently at the supporting events in connection with the Trakehner Stallion Market. He was victorious here at the end of November last year and placed several times in advanced (S*) level. However, he also attracted attention here due to poor riding, as we were told.

One of the stallions sold by the Hesselhøj station, the Trakehner Gaspard, also competed for Germany at the 2025 World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses in Verden with the Danish rider Cecilie Hedegaard. Here, Anders Sjöbeck Hoeck won a silver medal, albeit on a Danish horse, the mare Divya, who has since been sold to the young rider Theresa Rosenkilde. Rosenkilde has also already taken over the 15-year-old Blue Hors Zwobber from Anders Hoeck.