Amateur Show Jumping Club of Germany (ASC): S-Level Jumping Without Professional Competition

Amateur Show Jumping Club of Germany (ASC): On the Course After Work

Feature 07.08.2026

from Jan Tönjes

Amateur Show Jumping Club (ASC): S-level show jumping at select tournaments without professional riders. Photo: ASC

Monday through Friday at the office, Saturdays in the saddle competing at the S level—that’s enough to make your head spin, but in a good way. For nearly 30 years, the Amateur Show Jumping Club of Germany (ASC) has been organizing its own tournament series for show jumpers who can only pursue their sport in their free time but still compete at the S level. On the warm-up arena, they’re usually recognizable by their red riding jackets, the ASC’s trademark.

The Amateur Show Jumping Club of Germany was founded in 1997 to offer competitive amateurs the opportunity to compete in fun events. No jumping that starts at seven in the morning; good conditions throughout the tournament in a class where amateurs compete among themselves. For professionals, the rule is: “Unfortunately, we have to stay out.” The idea behind this is that riders who can only train to a limited extent due to work commitments tend to have little enjoyment competing against professional riders—who ride 15 horses a day—in an open S-level class. Within the ASC, amateurs compete exclusively against one another, in accordance with the ASC bylaws.

Not professionals, but the same requirements

That doesn’t mean the course requirements are any different—just the field of competitors. “With the ASC, we want to strengthen amateur equestrian sports in Germany in the long term and ensure the future stability and growth of our club by welcoming like-minded horse lovers,” says Malte Laub. The real estate entrepreneur from Chemnitz has been president of the ASC since 2024.

What can amateur riders do to support the sport of horseback riding?

EQUI PAGES is dedicating an in-depth series with background information to amateur sports in the three Olympic disciplines. In this series, we aim to shed light on developments in Germany, take a look at other countries and how they approach amateur equestrian sports, and ultimately, at a live event, address the question of how amateur riders can proactively shape the future of equestrian sports. Especially in light of current public discussions, our guiding principle is: “Equestrian Sports in Crisis—and What We Can Do AboutIt”

ASC: It’s not just about riding—the “whole experience” is important, too

The Amateur Show Jumping Club focuses primarily on show jumping. However, the ASC also offers other activities beyond the competition series itself. Cultural events, group dinners, city tours, and even ski trips are all part of club life. Bringing together sports, family, work, and friendships under one roof is the idea behind the club’s self-chosen motto: “Sports, Friendship & Solidarity.”

The ASC Principle: Eight Tests

In terms of competition, the series operates on its own point system. Every Class S qualifying round held at the selected tournament venues counts toward the championship: The winner of a qualifying round receives as many points as there are club members who competed, plus one extra point. The runner-up receives two points fewer, the third-place finisher one point fewer, and so on.

At the end of the season, the top 25 riders from each series qualify for the finals, which are traditionally held as part of the international tournament at Gut Ising on Lake Chiemsee. Only riders competing with a horse that has completed a qualifying competition within the last 24 months are eligible to participate.

Starting with the 2024–2025 season, the overall winner will also receive a challenge cup donated by President Malte Laub and designed by artist René Lämmel, as well as an honorary award for the highest point total of the entire season, including the final.

Who Is Eligible to Ride with the ASC

Not every amateur can simply become a member. The ASC requires a minimum age of 21 in the year of admission, performance class S2 or S3, and amateur status as defined by the ASC bylaws. Anyone who has competed in the German Men’s Championships in the past three years is ineligible for membership—a criterion that helps clearly distinguish the series from the absolute national elite. The board members decide on admission.

How much membership costs

Annual dues (active and supporting members): 260 euros

Additional annual fee for active members to participate in tournaments: 2,000 euros (which already includes 750 euros for entry permits)

Billing by calendar year, not by tournament season

Requirements: Minimum age of 21 in the year of application; performance class S2 or S3; no participation in the German Men’s Championships in the past three years. The Executive Board decides on admission.

Take a look first, then become a member

Anyone who is not yet a member but would like to get a taste of a qualifying event can compete as a guest rider. The same amateur and performance class requirements apply as for full members (in consultation with the club and tournament organizers), with up to two horses per class. There are two options to choose from: A one-time flat fee of 1,000 euros per horse per season entitles you to participate in up to three ASC tournaments of your choice. The only exception is Balve, where the fee is 1,500 euros due to the special setting of the Longines Balve Optimum.

No Final for Guest Riders

Guest riders are not eligible to compete in the finals at Gut Ising. This also applies if membership has not been applied for after three starts. Alternatively, a guest rider application may be submitted on a tournament-by-tournament basis—no more than once per current series and twice in total. After that, the club expects the rider to apply for regular membership. Guest rider fees already paid will be credited toward the first annual membership, provided that the application for membership is submitted in the same year. Refunds after payment have been made are expressly not provided for.

Guest Rider Fees per Tournament and Horse (as of August 2026)

Tournament Location Fee

Chemnitz 750 euros

Brakel 250 euros

Herford 250 euros

Balve 1,000 euros

Immenrode 250 euros

Darmstadt 250 euros

Biblis 250 euros

Bisingen 250 euros

Alternatively: A flat fee of 1,000 euros per horse per season for up to three tournaments of your choice (1,500 euros if competing in Balve). Guest riders are not eligible to compete in the finals at Gut Ising.

Across the State Associations

Unlike many state associations, the ASC is not organized through its own regional chapters with designated regional representatives, but rather through a nationwide series of qualifying tournaments. The venues are traditionally spread across various state association regions throughout the entire country—from Saxony (Chemnitz) to Westphalia (Brakel, Balve) and the Herford region, all the way to Thuringia (Immenrode), Hesse (Darmstadt, Biblis), and Baden-Württemberg (Bisingen).

The final is traditionally held as part of the international tournament at Gut Ising in Bavaria. The points of contact for the individual tournament venues are the respective local host clubs, in coordination with the ASC Board; they can be reached centrally through the club’s office.

The annual final of the Amateur Show Jumping Club (ASC) is traditionally held at Gut Ising. Photo: ASC

The History of the ASC

The founding meeting of the Amateur Show Jumping Club of Germany took place on February 2, 1997, in Niederkassel, and the bylaws were unanimously adopted at that time. To this day, the club’s official headquarters remain in Herford. For nearly two decades, Klaus Brinkmann—now managing partner of bugatti Holding Brinkmann (Pikeur, Eskadron)—shaped the club as its president. After 17 years, he handed over the position to Malte Laub, a native of Ravensburg who now lives in Chemnitz and works as a real estate entrepreneur.

Laub had previously served as the title sponsor of the German Amateur Championships (DAM). Klaus Brinkmann himself remains connected to the club as an honorary member and continues to be an active athlete. The Brinkmann family’s connection to the ASC goes even further: Wolfgang Brinkmann, an Olympic champion and father of current sports director Thorsten Brinkmann, was among the club’s championship winners in 1999—a family tradition that continues with Thorsten Brinkmann’s current position on the board.

Malte Laub, current president of the ASC (center), and Klaus Brinkmann (right), his predecessor. Photo: ASC

The New Board of Directors

Following the leadership transition, the ASC’s Executive Board and Extended Board are composed as follows (as of August 2026): Malte Laub as President and general point of contact; Marcel Grote as Vice President, responsible for marketing, public relations, and sponsorship; Jonas Ossenberg-Engels as Managing Director for internal communications, ranking analysis, and contracts; and Daniela Haase as Treasurer, who has taken over the position from Thomas Sagel. Two sports directors are responsible for the athletic side of the organization: Ferdinand Hurrle and Thorsten Brinkmann, both responsible for event planning, announcements, and guest rider licenses. Axel Fromm rounds out the board as an alternate member.

ASC Office

Amateur Show Jumping Club of Germany, Inc. Am Linkberg 11 33619 Bielefeld

Mailing Address: c/o Malte Laub, Weststraße 86, 09116 Chemnitz

Email: info@springreiter.club Website: www.springreiterclub.de Facebook: Amateur-Springreiterclub Deutschland e.V. Instagram: @amateurspringreiterclub

Contact Person on the Board of Directors