Unique, Gigantic, Fascinating and Known All Over Europe

Nineteen Years of “Titans of the Racetrack” to be Discontinued

by Margot Schöning and Klaus Karbaumer

The races of heavy horses, in Germany called ‘cold-bloods’ because of their calm disposition, started in 2002 in the little town of Brueck. Brueck is located in Brandenburg, one of the sixteen states of the Federal Republic of Germany. Two Brueck farmers, Thomas and Burkhard Haseloff, had already been participating in driving tournaments with their teams before Germany’s reunification. When Germany became one country again the two brothers drove four-ups and six-ups. One time, they took part in a ‘crazy tournament,’ when their carriage started skidding and they ended up in the mud. But they enjoyed this adventure so much, also because their entire families came along, that they decided to conduct horse events of their own. Soon they turned 22 acres into an arena for the planned competitions. Over the years the site was developed with a race track for wagons and riders; many hurdles for skill driving competitions; vendor booths and seats for the spectators.

There were times when 25,000 people showed up for the events and stayed through heavy rain, heat, and once even during the World Soccer Championship. The crowds were fascinated by the heavy horses, which despite their enormous weight of up to 2,200 pounds and their calm disposition, displayed impressive agility and speeds during the various tasks demanded of them.

Although most of the horses were Rhenish-German Coldbloods, many other German and European draft horse breeds were represented over the years: Noriker, Belgians, Brabants, Clydesdales, Shires, Dutch, Ardennes, and many more. Even big draft mules. Participants were mainly from Germany, but also from various other European countries.

One of the reasons for the annual events was the desire of the Haseloff brothers to rescue the Rhenish-German horse from extinction. “We grew up with them and don’t want to be without them,” they proclaimed again and again. And their wish came true: breeding of heavy horses flourished once more in Germany. Other breeds benefited, too. Many horse lovers bought and bred horses so they could participate in the biggest European show for their beloved heavy horses. In 2004, a championship for foals of the brothers’ favorite breed was started. It was open to participants from all over Germany and took place annually right before the sport competitions. More and more horses came. For the Haseloff brothers, breeding of heavy horses became a main pillar of their agricultural operation. Now next to their 500 head of cattle they have about 100 draft horses on their pastures.

In addition to the first “Titanen der Rennbahn,” as they called their event, the Haseloffs and others founded the “Cold-Bloods Breeding and Sports Club of Brueck” in 2002. Since financing is always important and can pose a challenge, these draft horse lovers found local sponsors for the events. The first few shows were general in nature, but soon were conducted with special themes, such as wedding carriages and real weddings, beer drays coming from more than 30 breweries, pulling competitions, fire-fighting, and even a Wild West show. Highlights were stage coaches pulled by 28 heavies; tournaments with 100 teams in formation drives; 15 teams of ten horses doing figure driving; and teams driving over the challenge of a 55 foot seesaw, which was mastered by most.

Over the years many politicians and dignitaries of the equine world came to the show and heaped praise on Thomas and Burkhard Haseloff and other members of their club. After a hiatus of two years because of Covid, the last show took place from June 24 to 26 of 2022. It was a big success again, although mixed with melancholy and sadness about the discontinuation. But after so many years of organizing and conducting the big show, the Haseloff brothers feel that it is time for somebody else to take up the lines. They want to focus more on their families and farms. Their time and financial commitments were enormous and they need a rest.

This article was compiled from two articles by Margot Schöning from Berlin, Germany, who for many years reported officially for the organizers. Klaus Karbaumer adapted and translated these articles for the Small Farmer’s Journal. Many interesting videos about these events can be viewed on YouTube, typing in “Titanen der Rennbahn.” The narrations will be in German, but are self-explanatory, showing the heavy horses in action. The viewer will see that in Germany heavy horses are still chunky drafts and yet have the agility for sports.