Germany’s equine industry remains a significant driver of economic growth within the sporting sector. As the home to the largest population of horses in Europe, Germany exerts influence on global equestrian sports and breeding. Known for producing some of the world’s finest sport horses, the nation’s breeding programs, supported by the Hanoverian, Holstein, and Oldenburg studbooks, have set international standards for quality of breeding and animal health. The strength of Germany’s equine industry is deeply rooted in its long history of horse breeding. Hanoverian, Holstein, and Oldenburg horses are particularly renowned for their performance in international competitions, especially in dressage, show jumping, and eventing. These breeds, combined with Germany's federal stud farms, help maintain high standards for competitiveness. Although the horse population in Germany experienced a significant decline post-World War II, reaching 250,000 horses in the late 1960s, the industry has since rebounded. As the economy improved, the focus on sport and recreational riding increased, raising the total number of horses to 350,000 by 1988. Today, Germany is home to over 1.5 million horses, with 60% of them dedicated to sport and recreational activities. Germany’s equestrian culture is not just about professional competition. The country has a thriving community of recreational riders, with an estimated 1.17 million Germans actively riding horses as of 2017. Of this group, 42% ride for leisure, while 26% compete recreationally, and 26% engage in professional competitions. The German Equestrian Federation (FN) oversees a massive number of registered athletes, with 697,126 riders holding sports licenses. The country hosts around 3,600 equestrian events annually, featuring over 69,000 individual competitions. Many of these events showcase the exceptional talent of German riders and the quality of German-bred horses. Internationally, German dressage riders are particularly successful, having secured numerous world titles and accolades.