North Rhine-Westphalia State Stud

The North Rhine-Westphalian State Stud in Warendorf stands for tradition and horse culture. It was founded in 1826 at the request of the breeders of Westphalia and the Rhine Province. Today it is part of the Ministry for the Environment, Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, but still pursues the same goals as 200 years ago. To give breeders access to good stallions.

Since then, the Westphalian State Stud has stood for high-quality warm-blooded and cold-blooded breeding. About 100 attractive stallions stand in the historic and listed stables. But breeding and preserving the breeds is not the only task of the State Stud. With the affiliated German Riding School, the centre of German professional riding is located in Warendorf. It offers advanced training and examination courses for professional riders, amateurs and show experts, both with its own horses and with the well-trained training horses of the State Stud. Together with the State Stud, the German Riding School forms a unique institution, for horse breeding and the training of horse and rider.

200th anniversary of the NRW State Stud Warendorf

Since 1826, the NRW State Stud in Warendorf has stood for tradition, breeding and encounters, thus characterising the entire Münsterland horse region. The state stud was founded to improve agricultural and military horse breeding and increasingly developed into a centre of supra-regional importance. Over the past 200 years, bloodlines have been established here that have had a lasting influence on Westphalian horse breeding and are still of great importance in international horse breeding today. Over generations, a living legacy has grown that has made Warendorf the "City of Horses".

A jubilee year full of highlights

The NRW State Stud celebrates 200 years of tradition with its anniversary and looks to the future with pride. From 9 February 2026 , numerous events and guided tours await you on the historic grounds of the state stud. In addition to the popular classics, such as the stallion parades and the parade by night, there will be various event formats, some more and some less thematically related to horses. The anniversary year will get off to a glittering start on 9 February with the Warendorf Spring Lights. Find the right event for your trip to Warendorf and be part of the 200-year history of the NRW State Stud.

Events & Guided Tours at the State Stud

The North Rhine-Westphalian State Stud is also known above all as a venue for internationally recognised events such as the"Warendorf Stallion Parades" or the Breeders' Sunday. Thousands of spectators visit the state stud every year. Anyone who would like to stop by can do so during guided tours, open days or events. The state stud is also an exciting excursion destination for non-riders. The historic grounds alone are a delight!


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2 Matches.
Jan
10
So
The Fascination of the NRW State Stud Stallions. History. Passion
10.01.2027, 14:30 10.01.2027, 15:30
North Rhine-Westphalian State Stud, Warendorf
Organiser: Tourist-Information Warendorf
guided tour

Majestic stallions, historic stables and a centuries-old tradition: Welcome to the NRW State Stud – a place where horse breeding has made history and continues to thrive to this day.

Join our guides on an exciting tour through the listed stables and immerse yourself in the world of Westphalian horse breeding. Discover which stallions have shaped significant bloodlines, what role a state stud farm plays, and what successes the breeding programme continues to achieve to this day.

Along the way, you’ll get a glimpse behind the scenes and discover the special blend of tradition, passion and modern breeding practices. Soak up the atmosphere of the historic stable aisles, meet the stud’s four-legged stars and find out just how important the NRW State Stud is to horse breeding in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Come along, breathe in the stable air and experience a place where equestrian history, breeding and passion come together.

Meeting point: Main entrance, Sassenberger Straße 11

Please register in advance by calling 02581 545454 or emailing tourismus@warendorf.de

Time
10.01.2027, 14:30 10.01.2027, 15:30
Location
Prices
Teilnahmegebühr
  • Erwachsene: 8
further information less information
Feb
13
Sat
The Fascination of the NRW State Stud Stallions. History. Passion
13.02.2027, 14:30 13.02.2027, 15:30
North Rhine-Westphalian State Stud, Warendorf
Organiser: Tourist-Information Warendorf
guided tour

Majestic stallions, historic stables and a centuries-old tradition: Welcome to the NRW State Stud – a place where horse breeding has made history and continues to thrive to this day.

Join our guides on an exciting tour through the listed stables and immerse yourself in the world of Westphalian horse breeding. Discover which stallions have shaped significant bloodlines, what role a state stud farm plays, and what successes the breeding programme continues to achieve today.

Along the way, you’ll get a glimpse behind the scenes and discover the special blend of tradition, passion and modern breeding practices. Soak up the atmosphere of the historic stable corridors, meet the stud’s four-legged stars and find out just how important the NRW State Stud is for horse breeding in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Come along, breathe in the stable air and experience a place where equestrian history, breeding and passion come together.

Meeting point: Main entrance, Sassenberger Straße 11

Please register in advance by calling 02581 545454 or emailing tourismus@warendorf.de

Time
13.02.2027, 14:30 13.02.2027, 15:30
Location
Prices
Teilnahmebeitrag
  • Erwachsene: 8
further information less information
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Highlight at the Westphalian State Stud

Tour information

A tour of the outdoor area is possible at any time without registration.

A tour of the stables is possible during the stated opening hours, also without registration.

The City of Warendorf offers interesting guided tours of the grounds and stables of the North Rhine-Westphalian State Stud, during which a lot of interesting information about the almost 200-year history of the stud itself, as well as about breeding and the special features of the farm and stallions, is imparted.

The guided tours of the stud farm take place on request. Information is available here:

Tourist Information

Emsstr. 4

48231 Warendorf

Tel.: 02581 545454

tourismus@warendorf.de

North Rhine-Westphalian State Stud

Öffnungszeiten vom 01.01. to 31.12.
  • Monday
    09:00 Uhr bis 12:00 Uhr
    14:00 Uhr bis 17:00 Uhr
  • Tuesday
    09:00 Uhr bis 12:00 Uhr
    14:00 Uhr bis 17:00 Uhr
  • Wednesday
    09:00 Uhr bis 12:00 Uhr
  • Thursday
    09:00 Uhr bis 12:00 Uhr
    14:00 Uhr bis 17:00 Uhr
  • Friday
    09:00 Uhr bis 12:00 Uhr
    14:00 Uhr bis 17:00 Uhr
  • Saturday
    09:00 Uhr bis 12:00 Uhr
  • Sunday
    11:00 Uhr bis 12:00 Uhr

The MünsterlandBlog

Traditions at the NRW State Stud
© Münsterland e.V./ Philipp Fölting
We have explored the NRW State Stud for you

Warendorf is the horse capital of Germany! And a visit to the North Rhine-Westphalian State Stud is worthwhile for all horse enthusiasts. Would you like to delve deeper into the subject matter of the state stud, find out more about its tasks, history or events? Then click through our posts in the MünsterlandBlog and read about our personal experiences and adventures. Our colleague Vicky took her chance at an event for Münsterland newcomers and took part in a guided tour of the historic stables. Find out more about her highlights!

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Podcast episode Westphalian State Stud in Warendorf

Hanseat(c)NRW Landgestüt, Frerich
© Münsterland e.V. /Philipp Fölting
Regional podcast "SO OR SO"

Horses simply belong to Münsterland - this is particularly evident at the state stud. It is the centre in NRW when it comes to breeding and equestrian sport. The regional podcast "SO OR SO - your Münsterland" presents everyday life around horses in an interview with employees.

Together with Münsterland reporter and radio journalist Dennis Burk, you take a look behind the scenes of this special place. 100 horses are housed here in the historic stables. The 80 employees look after their daily welfare and trainees also share the fascination of horses here.

Short and compact, the podcast from Münsterland e.V. takes you on an acoustic tour between country idyll and city flair in just a few minutes. You can listen to the podcast episode at www.muensterland.com/podcast, on all popular audio platforms and here:

Further sights around the state stud farm

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Dogs are permitted in the outdoor areas of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Stud. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. Dogs are not permitted inside the stables.

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