The Destel Riding Club was founded as the "Destel Riding Section" in 1923. During the National Socialist era, the club was renamed the "Reiterstaffel Destel" (Destel Riding Squadron) as part of the first Gleichschaltungsgesetz (law on equalization) and subordinated to the fascist system as an equestrian organization with a cavalry character.
in 1950, the "Reiterverein Destel e.V." was re-established. Just a few weeks after its re-establishment, on Ascension Day 1951, it competed with a complete division at the major horse show in Pr. Ströhen and excelled with outstanding performances. In the same year, the first tournament was held on the showground in Rethlage in Destel (Knost's Wiese, now a nature reserve). This tournament was a complete success for the riding club in every respect. The whole village came to the Rethlage and all the equestrian sections of the district showed their active support for the young club by taking part in the tournament.
Thanks to the efforts of Friedrich Hahler and chairman Fritz Weitkamp, the indoor riding arena was completed in 1962. From then on, the area around the riding hall was the annual venue for the Desteler Horse Days. in 1989, a new, fixed judges' tower was added to the showground.
Cross-country competitions were held on and around the Rethlage as part of the "District Championships 1992". The Desteler Reiterverein took part with three teams and became vice district champion. in 2006, the "Desteler Pferdetage" took place for the first time on the newly acquired grounds with the old judges' tower. This was specially moved here from its old location.
Just three years later, the showground became the venue for the final event of the "Barre Stil-Pokal Series". After being used by the riding club for 53 years, the riding hall was extensively renovated in 2015 and given a new roof. in 2019, the Reiterverein Destel e.V. hosted a mare show organized by the Westphalian Studbook for the first time and also hosted the Destel Carriage Driving Day.