Collin and Lucas Wenz
Collin and Lucas Wenz © Wenz

A strong team: The Wenz family

Name: Lucas Wenz
Birthday: 19.12.1998
Homebase: Sersheim
Level: 150cm

Name: Collin Wenz
Birthday: 28.7.2009
Homebase: Sersheim
Level: 110cm

The name Wenz is not only a household name in southern German show jumping, but also far beyond the German borders. There are certainly few equestrian families that combine such a long tradition and passion for horses.

Nicole and Marcus Wenz met - how could it be otherwise - through equestrian sport.


Nicole Wenz, born Baum, is an internationally successful show jumper. She grew up in Wallau, a town on the edge of the Taunus near Frankfurt. Her father, Holger Baum, is one of the most renowned Hanoverian breeders. It was he who discovered the legendary stallion Forsyth FRH and brought him to his foal farm. The bay stallion then collected his first successes with Nicole Wenz in the saddle. The two of them were able to reach the finals of the Bundeschampionat twice, among other things, before he then switched to Toni Hassmann and was able to celebrate international successes. In addition to Forsyth FRH, Nicole Wenz's father also discovered "Fine Lady". The mare by Forsyth x Drosselklang II was trained by Holger Baum and his daughters before she then switched to Eric Lamaze. The two won, among other things, the bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Nicole Wenz herself already rode Nations Cups for Germany and was multiple Hessen Champion.


But Marcus Wenz is also in no way inferior to his successful wife. He grew up on his parents' farm in Sersheim. Together with his two siblings, Kerstin and Holger, he learned to ride. Marcus and his brother Holger left home, while sister Kerstin continued to look after the home farm. Wenz continued his education at various stables. "That was very important for my riding resume," he explains. During this time, he also met his wife Nicole. Then, in 1998, the family's first son, Lucas, was born. An important station in the life of the Wenz family is certainly the Zyx stud farm of the Mikulski family. Here the family was stationed for several years and Marcus Wenz was able to make a name for himself with the horses provided to him.
After that, the family moved back to the home of Nicole, to the Fohlenhof in Wallau. In 2009, the family then had another addition. Son Collin was born. In the following year 2010 reached the Nations Cup rider then a very special honor. He was appointed national trainer of the Luxembourgian show jumpers and was already able to compete in several Nations Cups with the team. Furthermore, he was able to accompany his Luxembourgish protégé Christian Weier to Tryon for the World Equestrian Games.


In 2019, the family decided to move from Wallau to Sersheim, Marcus' home. There, the four now support sister Kerstin on their parents' farm. "We have changed a few things at the facility and now feel very comfortable," reports Marcus Wenz.
Together with his eldest son Lucas, he looks after the horses stationed at the facility every day.
Lucas first discovered a passion for soccer, but then decided to get into equestrian sports after graduating from school as well. Already in the age groups of children, juniors and young riders, the 22-year-old was on the road at both national and international level.
Lucas decided like his father, in addition to his own business, also to gain further experience outside the home halls. He designed his further training with none other than the German champion Andreas Kreuzer in Damme.
"The time with Andreas was really very formative. There you learn but also once again to take a different perspective than, for example, at home," says the young man.
Among other things, he recently won the U25 Jumping Cup in Mannheim with his mare Pokerface. Lucas has a very special bond with the chestnut mare. "The thing with Pokerface is actually a great story," he explains. "I discovered her through my grandpa. Before she came to me, she only went E and A jumping. I then rode her from her first L-level jumping to her first S***. Of course, that makes you very proud and then also connects you."


Lucas trains the horses very closely together with his parents. "Mom and dad are of course a great help to me when I'm riding. On the one hand, we always train together, and on the other hand, we also support each other. Dad always rides with me in the mornings, and Mom lunges other horses in the meantime. Together as a team, it works," says the winner of the Golden Riding Badge, citing his recipe for success.
Of course, brother Collin is also part of the family team. The student is now getting into show jumping and has already achieved international success with his pony "Westside Phantom". Whether Collin would like to make riding his profession later on, he does not know yet. However, it is certain that he will remain connected to the equestrian sport in any case.


A day for the Wenz family is full of variety. "In the morning, we usually ride. At lunchtime, I either train students who come to our facility, I drive to them, or I look at different horses. Lucas, Nicole and Collin then usually still ride at home or train their students themselves," Marcus Wenz announces.


In training, the team tries to incorporate many varied components into their work with their horses. Gymnastics, dressage work but also show jumping is adapted to each horse individually. "Within a training session, I naturally benefit from my parents' many years of experience. I actually never jump alone and usually train my horses with one of them. They are a great support for me," Lucas explains.
It is precisely the Wenz family's internal cohesion and cordiality that seem to play a key role in their success.


Foreign clients and students also feel very comfortable at Team Wenz's facility. Wenz is trainer of individual riders in Dubai, Spain, Bahrain, Thailand, France, Switzerland and America.
Likewise, the Pferdewirtschaftsmeister repeatedly brokers and sells top-class show jumpers, which then attract attention in international sport.


A generational change is currently taking place within the family. Collin and Lucas Wenz are establishing themselves more and more in the international youth and U25 sport, while Nicole and Marcus Wenz are devoting themselves more and more to their activities as trainers. Surely Collin and Lucas will also attract attention in the future show jumping sport!


Lucas Wenz 4
Lucas Wenz 4 © Wenz

Crazy-Questions

Johanna: What was your funniest experience at a tournament?
L. Wenz: Someone from our team forgot the course with his first horse. Then with the second horse, the person forgot the course at the exact same spot.


Johanna: Do you have a favorite course?
L. Wenz: Wiesbaden and Mannheim.


Johanna: Do you do any compensatory sports besides riding?
C. Wenz: Lucas and I often play soccer or basketball together.


Johanna: What profession would you have chosen if you had not become a "rider"?
C. Wenz: Lucas did make riding his profession, after all, but otherwise he would have become a sports journalist. I can imagine a career in event management.


Johanna: What is your favorite food?
L. & C. Wenz: Spaghetti alla grandma and rigatoni al forno.


Johanna: Do you have a favorite?
L. & C. Wenz: Horses or dogs.


Johanna: Series or movie?
L. & C. Wenz: series.


Johanna: Beach or mountains?
L. & C. Wenz: beach.


Johanna: Which is your favorite travel destination?
L. & C. Wenz: Our vacation in Thailand was really very great.


Johanna: How do you combine job and private life?
L. Wenz: Collin is still homeschooling right now, so he has a little more time as well. Otherwise, many of our friends are also from the equestrian sport, so you see each other more often at tournaments.


Johanna: Who (dead or alive) would you like to have dinner with one night?
L. Wenz: Thomas Müller.


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