A good neighbor.

What counts in professional football is also applicable to the horse farm.

What actually happens when you end your career as a professional sportsman? Martin Harnik also had to consider this question after having played successfully for several years for various clubs in the German Bundesliga and the Austrian national team. So early on during his active career, he became involved in various companies from the party and food and beverages industry and also contributed to the development of these business areas.

In his early 30s, it is time for a soccer player to ask himself what he wants to do after soccer. For Martin Harnik, his wife Sharon played an important role in this important life decision to reorient himself. Sharon traveled with Martin Harnik throughout Germany for many years and accompanied him to the respective clubs. Her riding horse Love Letter always accompanying them. The home of the two in Northern Germany also housed a few brood mares and colts. It is precisely this passion for horses and riding that is now to become the couple's new mainstay.

An ace up your sleeve: the 1160 eHoftrac.

The Harniks leased a riding stable in Schleswig-Holstein in June 2020. In order to be able to take proper care of all the riding and stud horses at the facility and to carry out work on the farm, the couple promptly looked around for mechanical support. Thus arriving at Weidemann sales partner, Doormann & Kopplin. Sales consultant Helge Hingst brought a Weidemann 1260 to the first meeting, and it proved itself in the stables. However, it was just too loud in the densely populated neighborhood. “We are practically encircled by neighbors”, laughs Martin Harnik. 

However, Helge Hingst had a special ace up the sleeve: the Weidemann 1160 eHoftrac. The fully electric Hoftrac impressed the professional soccer player and his wife as soon as it was switched on for the first time. “That's when the decision was immediately clear. Later, a few neighbors even came up to me and thanked us for being so quiet”. In addition to working absolutely quietly, the electrically powered Hoftrac also scored points for its zero emissions and powerful performance. “We haven't reached its limits yet”, says a pleased Martin Harnik, who sits on the eHoftrac for an average of two hours a day. “The battery also kept up easily during larger work output, such as mowing meadows and trimming hedges. Everything works easily and effectively”, he says happily.

The sale of the machine also eventually developed into a good friendship between the Harnik and Hingst families. Helge Hingst's son in particular is fascinated by the red eHoftrac and enjoys making himself useful on the farm.

Organization is everything.

The stable also includes an indoor riding arena and about 2.5 ha of paddocks. The hay and straw is purchased and delivered every month. On site, of course, the eHoftrac is responsible for handling bales.

At present, there are three riding horses and some brood mares on the farm and they are taken to the paddocks every day. Other horses are present in the area and will gradually move in as well. “We sort of evolved into breeding and training”, explains Sharon Harnik. “We had an opportunity to buy a good mare or a promising colt. That's how the idea came about to expand it and put it on its own feet”. “Sharon has talent and a good eye for horses. I prefer to stick to dogs and technology”, adds her husband. So now, the Harniks want to settle down, but are still far from retiring. They want to work with the 1160 eHoftrac in peace.