Wiesbaden Riding and Driving Club (WRFC)
The Wiesbadener Reit- und Fahr-Club (WRFC), founded on 14.12.1927, pursues cooperation with neighbouring riding clubs and horse-breeding organizations. Its aim is to promote riding, driving and competition sport in Wiesbaden by bringing together all those interested in equestrian sport. The organization of the International Wiesbaden Whitsun Tournament has become a central task. Other tasks include the organization of hunts and animal welfare, especially for horses.
The first activities were joint riding lessons in the Tattersall and rides in the surrounding area. On November 3, 1928, the first Hubertus Hunt was ridden, a tradition that the club still upholds today. The founding president was Hans Rabe, the president at the time of the first Whitsun tournament in 1929 was Günther von Etzel (1862-1948). The presidency of Wilhelm Dyckerhoff from 1950-87, who had already been a member of the WRFC team in 1933, was of great importance. On his initiative, a tournament course was built in Biebrich Palace Park by 1952.
Other events included the first "Day of the Horse" in October 1966. 150 participants from all Wiesbaden clubs rode into the show arena of the palace park after a star-studded ride and staged a meeting with show acts in honor of the "Comrade Horse" in front of a large audience. Last but not least, the WRFC also enriched social life in Wiesbaden with hunts and the traditional ball at the Hotel Nassauer Hof.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the showground in Biebrich Palace Park, the WRFC was awarded the bronze city plaque of the city of Wiesbaden in recognition of its services. In 1992, Kristina Dyckerhoff, Wilhelm Dyckerhoff's daughter, took over the presidency of the WRFC. In 1997, the WRFC received the "Organizer of the Year" award from the International Dressage Trainer Club in recognition of its special commitment to the sport of dressage. In 2002, the club received the silver city plaque in recognition of its services to the state capital of Wiesbaden.
The club currently (as of 2015) has around 400 members. These include active riders as well as friends and supporters of equestrian sport.