BACKGROUND: Instituted by Hitler in February of 1937, the plaque was presented to those donating horses and horse-related materials in furtherance of the advancement of horsemanship. It was presented with an award document signed by the head of the NSRK, "Nationalsozialistische Reiterkorps" (National-socialist Riding-corps), who was an SA-Obergrüppenführer.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A heavy, black iron award in the form of a 11cm diameter oak leaf wreath which, to the obverse, mostly encircles a profiled horse, standing atop a spread-winged eagle with a wreathed, mobile swastika in its talons. The lower half of the wreathed swastika, and the horse’s head, extend beyond the confines of the oak leaf border of the award. The designer’s initials, a "P" over a "C" (for Paul Casberg), may be seen beneath the tail of the horse. The oak leaf border is repeated to the reverse, it enclosing the embossed inscription, "Für Verdienste Um Die Wehrhafte Ertüchtigung Der Deutschen Reiterjugend" (For Merit for The Militant Training [of] The German Rider-youth), followed by a facsimile of Hitler’s signature. To the base of the surrounding oak leaf wreath is an encircled SA ("Sturmabteilung," or, Storm-troops) logo, whose positioning and diameter corresponds with the wreathed swastika to the obverse. Very nice example.