Members' Guide

HISTORY

The Society of Hanoverian Warmblood Breeders

There can be no question that the Hanoverian Horse represents today one of the most prominent breeds of riding horses in the world. The stud-book comprises close to 19,000 active brood mares and 450 approved breeding stallions and covers the largest homogeneous breeding area in Europe. In fact, Hanoverian are found in all five continents.

The historic development of the Hanoverian

The customary process is that breeders of like interests and breeding aims unite and form an association, start a stud-book and establish rules and regulations governing registration. That is, however, not the way it happened in Hanover. There, it all started with the foundation of the Landgestuet in 1735, the State-operated stable of stallions. Since its inception the Landgestuet has kept careful records of pedigrees of their stallions and the mares bred to them, so that when in 1888 the Royal Agricultural Society officially created the "Hanoverian Warmblood Stud-book" it had already an excellent basis on which to build. In 1899 the Chamber of Agriculture took over as keeper of the stud-book, and it carried on until 1922 when it passed these duties on to the Verband hannoverscher Warmblutzüchter (the Society of Hanoverian Warmblood Breeder), which came into existence that same year and is the governing body today. So the "Verband" came into being in 1922 through the unification of 54 local breeding clubs, which at that time existed in Hanover, and of which some were over 50 years old. Combined, they accounted for more than 10,560 breeders. The idea was not so much to rob these clubs of their independence and their individual, peculiar character but rather to co-ordinate their activities for the good of all.

These local clubs, most of which still exist today and even have increased in number, are the main pillars of the Verband they determine to a far reaching extent the choice of state stallions sent to their district and they organize the annual mare grading shows. The constitution of the Verband provides that in Lower Saxony each individual member must also belong to one of 7 district societies, which in most cases cover the area of a country or similar governmental unit. The structure and organization of the Verband are shown on page 4.

The aims of the Verband

The purposes of the Verband were and still are to advise the breeders in all questions of breeding, keeping and feeding horses whereby the union of the breeders is, above all, supposed to induce homogeneous breeding measure for the Hanoverian horse. Moreover the Verband furthers the sale on behalf of the breeders through the auctions taking place at Verden. At these auctions riding-horses, stallions, brood mares and foals are sold. Riders and horses can be trained at the "Hannoversche Reit- und Fahrschule" which is affiliated to the Verband.

The Hanoverian breed originates from the state of Lower Saxony in Northern Germany. From here the Hanoverian horse has dispersed throughout the world. Now breeders and admirers of the Hanoverian can be found in many European countries, in North- and South-America, in Southern Africa, in Australia, New Zealand and even in South East Asia. The two main centres of the breed are Verden with the main office of Verband hannoverscher Warmblutzüchter, its training and marketing centre and Celle with the state stud.

The evolution of the Hanoverian

According to Schlie and Löwe, the evolution of the Hanoverian can be broken down into four main periods. To this we must say, however, that none of these epochs constitutes a clear cut, abrupt end in breeding policy; rather the transition from one to the other took place gradually:
1. The period extending from the establishment of the Landgestuet Celle in 1735, to the wars of liberation from Napoleonic domination, 1812-1813.

2. 1815-1870, increased use of privately owned thoroughbred and English half-bred stallions.

3. 1870-1945, the breed was genetically being consolidated.

4. 1945-present, refining of the type with the aim of producing exclusively a superior riding horse.

It is not possible in this article to discuss each period at length. We will, however, try to portray the thinking of those days by citing the breeding aim as it changed through the years.

The first two periods aimed at producing a large, robust carriage horse, which was also suitable for military service. About 1900, General von Troschke defined the breeding aim as follows:
"a suitable cavalry as well as artillery horse with straight, ground covering gaits. Horses used on the farm must be able to pull a plow making a furrow at least 30 cm deep."

Toward the end of the 3rd period which coincided with the end of World War II, the goal was:
"a strong Warmblood horse, able to do all kinds of work on the farm but possessing enough blood, zest and quality gaits to be usable as a riding and carriage horse."

At the beginning of the 4th period the goal was changed to:
"a noble, strong Warmblood horse equally well suited as a riding horse as for work on the farm."

During this period, however, mechanization made heavy inroads on the farms, rapidly displacing the horses as a work animal. More and more it was being used exclusively as a riding horse. Responding to the changed conditions, a new breeding policy had to be formulated again. This is the policy now in force:

The breeding aim is the Hanoverian - a rideable, noble, big framed and correct warmblood horse, which, on the basis of its natural abilities, its temperament and character is suitable as a performance horse as well as a pleasure horse.
On this basis the Verband strives for the breeding of talented sport horses for the disciplines
- dressage,
- show-jumping,
- eventing,
- driving.

Throughout these changing times, versatility of the horse has always been stressed and this policy has paid off. On international scene, be it in dressage, jumping or eventing, the Hanoverian has long belonged to the top performers.

STATE STUD CELLE

The impact of the State Stud at Celle

Outsiders - people who do not know the Hanoverian breed - frequently think that the State Stud at Celle and the Verband hannoverscher Warmblutzüchter e.V. belong together, are a unit. This is, however, not correct. Both are separate organizations which are, nevertheless, working in close co-operation to the benefit of the Hanoverian horse.

The Verband hannoverscher Warmblutzüchter e.V. is a private co-operation financed by its members' dues, whereas the State Stud Celle is a wholly state-owned institution.

The state stud was founded in 1735, at a time in which the individual reining sovereigns wanted to be independent of importing horses for, finally, horses were of prime importance in the conduct of war. Thus, the foundation of the state stud was based upon the idea of offering food stallions at low fees to the mainly rural individual breeders. This is still the goal of the state stud today although the use of the horses has fortunately changed.

About 130 stallions are stationed at the state stud in Celle. During the breeding season (February until July) two to ten stallions are stabled at each breeding stations of which about 42 are existing. These are spread all over the breeding area.
The great import of this institution gets evident when we consider that, out of 12,060 services which were registered with the Verband in 1997, about 7,444 were carried out by state-owned stallions.

The stallion performance test institution at Adelheidsdorf is connected to the state stud. Potential state-stallions are tested there during a period of eleven months, and privately owned-ones for 100 days before being admitted to breed (more on page 29). Through the state stud and the Stallion Performance Testing Station horse breeding is, to a large extent, furthered by the State of Lower Saxony.

The Famous stallion parade in the state stud Celle

PRIVATE STALLION KEEPING

More than 100 year ago the number of privately owned stallions in the Hanoverian breed exceeded that of state owned stallions, but then decreased again. In the past years the number of privately owned stallions increased constantly. Meanwhile private stallion owners all over the world offer about 390 stallions. Some of these stallion owners founded the Verein hannoverscher Privathengsthalter e.V. (Club of private Hanoverian stallion owners) in 1989. Their abbreviation, "P.B." has become a well-known "trademark" and they offer interesting sires many of which have made a name for themselves in sports.
Every year in the beginning of February the great show of privately owned Hanoverian stallions is held in the Verden Niedersachsenhalle.

How do I become a Verband member?

Passive membership or how to get the magazine "Der Hannoveraner".

Passive membership essentially comprises the purchase of the members' magazine "Der Hannoveraner". It is published six times per year, and for our members in the English-speaking areas an English supplement - the "The Hanoverian" - is enclosed.

„Der Hannoveraner" reports on the actual sports and breeding events from regional up to international level. It also contains the most important fixed terms and news about the Hanoverian. .

Active membership - The breeder's membership. If you own a Hanoverian mare and want to breed registered Hanoverians you must become an active or voting member of the British Hanoverian Horse Society. If you own a mare (three years of age or older) which has not yet been inspected and graded into our stud-book,it must be registered no later than in the year the foal is born.You have to become a member for inspection and stud-book entry of your mare to take place.(Respecting this please take notes of pages 11 ff as well).

a) You purchased a mare which was already graded and entered into a stud-book section before. In this case you can become an active members when the mare is transferred to your name.

In both cases you have to apply for an active membership application form. You has to inform us of the mares which are kept under your name. As a full member you must pay a fee for each mare which you register in each year of membership. Through signing the membership application form you declare your consent to the rules ,contained in the memorandum of Association.. The most important ones are quoted in this booklet.

As an active member you are charged an annual fee for each mare that is registered and a fee for the passive membership in which the purchase of the magazine "Der Hannoveraner" is included. Modifications to the rules are always published in this magazine. Therefore we assume that everyone who obtains this magazine knows the latest rules at all time.

How do I pay my dues?

At the beginning of each year all members are sent a proforma invoice indicating the annual due that has to be paid. Members who do not pay their annual dues will have their membership cancelled which means that no mare can be registered with us and no foal can be branded.

SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST

MARE REGISTRATION

How do I apply for registration of a mare and how do I transfer the ownership of a mare?

Instances where application for the registration of a mare could arise:

a) You are the owner of a mare which has not yet been entered into a section of the Hanoverian Stud-Book. In this case the mare will automatically be registered under your name on occasion of the stud-book entry (with regard to this also see pages 11 ff).

b) You purchase a mare which was kept as active, i.e. as a mare that was entered in one of the stud-book sections already under the previous owner's name. Please send your passport to the British Horse Database with a cheque and the transfere of ownership form filled and they notify us of the change of ownership.

c) . The submission of the original pedigree paper is proof to us that you are the owner of the mare. Your name and address will be registered in the passport. In case you were not an active member before the rules of section II apply.

d) You acquire a mare which was for example, inspected as a 3 or 4-year-old and entered into a section of the stud-book. Then the registration was cancelled and the mare was not used for breeding for several years. In this case you proceed exactly as in case b). You just have to pay an annual fee but you are not required to present this mare again to be registered in the stud-book.

In case you want to withdraw a mare please be so kind and send us a written notice that you no longer want to breed with your mare (name and registration number).

If the withdrawal is due to the death of the mare the original pedigree paper must be sent in. It will then be kept with us.

In case the application for withdrawal is due to the sale of the mare the new owner will send us a short notice in order to have the mare registered as an active brood mare under his name.

You may also apply for withdrawal of a mare if you want to temporarily stop breeding with the mare. A re-registration under you name will then be possible at any time by paying the appropriate fee.
A mare is not automatically withdrawn it if is, for example, not covered, but only after the owner's application. Unless an application for withdrawal reaches our office the mare will always appear on your subscription bill.

THE STUD-BOOK-INSPECTION

What is a Stud-book-inspection?

All mares and stallions which will be used in Hanoverian breeding must be entered into the Hanoverian mare or stallion stud-book. All the information concerning the horse are noted there (e.g. pedigree, colour, sex, date of birth, inspection score, performance test etc.) The breeding stock must pass through a selection procedure before being entered. With regard to the mares this is the stud-book inspection. A foal can be registered and branded only of its dam was entered into one of the stud-book divisions. This can be carried out n in the year of birth of the foal, i.e. it need not necessarily be carried out in the year of covering. Bur first let us have a look at the different sections of the stud-book.

The Hanoverian Stud-Book is subdivided in four sections:

1. Main-Stud-Book (Symbol H)
2. Stud-Book (Symbol S)
3. Appendix Book I (Symbol V)
4. AppendixBook II (Symbol A)

As only mares that fulfil the pre-conditions for the Stud-Book or the Main-Stud-Book are registered abroad the rules of both of these sections shall be described in more detail. To be in a Stud-Book-section certain requirements concerning pedigree, conformation, and movement of a mare must be met.

STUD-BOOK DIVISION

To be entered into the Main-Stud-Book the requirements are:
a) Four generations of recognized ancestry must be proved. That means the sire, the sire of the dam, the sire of the dam's sire, as well as the sire of the granddam's dam had either to be entered into the Stallion-Book of the Verband or to belong to a breed which is recognized by the Verband. The dam of the mare must be entered either in the Main-Stud-Book or in the Stud-Book.
b) In its final judgement of conformation and movement the mare must at least reach total score of 6,0 points, and in each of the six main criteria it must come up to a minimum of five points at least. Criteria see on page 13.

Example pedigree of a Main-Stud-Book-Mare

To be entered in the Stud-Book the requirements are:
a) Three generations of recognized ancestry must be proved. The dam must have been either a Main-Stud-Book mare or a Stud-Book-mare or a Pre-Stud-Book I-mare.
b) At the Stud-Book inspection the mare must reach a total score of 5,0 points. In each of the six main criteria it must receive a minimum of four points.

Example Pedigree of a Stud-Book-Mare

STUD-BOOK-INSPECTION

Which marks are given at the Stud-Book-Inspection?

The Stud-Book-Inspection-Commission gives the marks that can be seen on the stud-book-entry form (page 13). The scores cover the marks from 1 (the worst) to 10 (the best). The marks in the left column are the main scores and decisive for the stud-book-entry. The total score approximately represents the arithmetic mean of the six criteria above. Only full numbers are given. The marks in the right column are the subscores for the respective score Conformation (left column).

The graders for breeding are the Stud-Book-Commission it is comprised of the manager of the State Stud at Clle or his deputy, the Breeding Manager of the Society or his deputy, and a selected breeder. In breeding areas of registered Hanoverians abroad the Stud-Book-Inspection is carried out annually by a representative of the Society.

Attention: Stud-Book-Inspection and the branding of foals must always be carried out at a central location. An inspection directly on each breeder's farm is not practicable.

Which mares can be presented at the Stud-Book-Inspection?

The registration requirements concerning Main-Stud-Book and Stud-Book mares are generally valid for three-year-old mares and older ones bearing the Hanoverian foal-brand.

Mares of other Warmblood Societies which are recognized by the Society can be entered provided that a total score of at least 7,0 points is reached. In these cases, however, our office should always be contacted in advance to ask whether or not a pedigree is acceptable.

What must I do if I want to present a mare at a Stud-Book-Inspection?

As already mentioned at least one inspection trip per year for Stud-Book-Inspection and foal-branding takes place in the individual countries. If you are a member you receive a letter some weeks before the tour begins. This letter contains the times at the individual places as well as a form in which you are asked to advice the Society's office of the mares and foals that shall be presented.

Before the Stud-Book-Inspection the mares should be trained in presentation and in handling in walk and trot. It is advantageous to lunge the mare regularly before the Stud-Book-Inspection. You should ensure that the mare is in good condition (not too fat, not too skinny), has a shiny coat which indicates a good general condition, and also well groomed hooves. Moreover it is the custom to braid the mares' manes. It is imperative that you bring the pedigree paper of the mare with you because this paper must be handed to the Society's representative. If the pedigree paper is not procured a mare cannot be registered. First the representative compares the colour and markings noted on this paper, afterward he takes the paper along with him to the Society's office where the stud-book entry is filled in.

Now the judges give the individual marks for conformation. Afterwards you are asked to trot one lap with the mare. The judges stay at the same place, and due to the triangular form of the course they are able first to inspect the mare from behind, then its action deployment from the side, and finally its correctness from the front. For that purpose it is, however, necessary to follow exactly the triangular from of the course.

PRESENTATION

At the trot the mares should be given the chance to move as freely as possible. With regard to very actively moving mares the exhibitor should be someone who is able to move well enough himself to be able to show this movement. When trotting your mare you take both the reins in your right hand.

It is advisable that someone with a whip is driving your mare from behind as you are expected to show the mare without riding-whip. After the trotted lap the mare is turned once again and shown to the judges from the right side standing.

When a number of mares have been judged at a trot they are assembled in a large circle and judged at a walk. The walk should also be shown as freely as possible. Afterwards the judge will announce the result of the inspection.

MARE PERFORMANCE TEST

„ Mare performance tests have become an important measure in the Hanoverian breed and most newly registered mares have passed it. The mare performance test does not only indicate the mare's own disposition but is also a valuable source of information on the sires of the mares taking part. „

Please ask for the dates of mare performance tests at the show. The entry fee is £75 and has to be paid with the application.. Please send your entry form to the B.H.H.S. The pedigree paper of your mare has to be submitted on the day of the test so please bring it along with you for the test.

Eligible are three-year-old and older mares which are entered into a section of the studbook or if they have not yet been entered, are eligible for main studbook with regard to their pedigrees.

After the test the mare's participation is noted down on its pedigree paper. The mare performance test can be repeated once.

Which criteria are judged?

In the mare performance test the basic gaits, jumping talent in free-
jumping as well as the mare's rideability (by a test rider)
are judged. This is either done in the course of a station test (21 days)
or in a so-called field test (one day).

For the assessment of the individual criteria scores covering the marks
from 0 (=not performed) to 10 (=excellent) are given. The final certificate
contains an overall final score as well as subscores which
result from the individual scores for the basic gaits, rideability and juping
talent.

After passing the test each participant receives a stall plaque and a test
certificate. The mares are not placed. The performance of each mare is
commented on by a judge. If a mare has not yet been presented for
studbook inspection before passing her mare performance test then her
result is not valid until she has been entered into a section of the stud-
book of the Verband.

The judges commission consists of a representative of the Verband as
well as a judge of horse shows. Additionally there is a test rider
who gives the scores for rideability.

WHAT IS A STAATSPRÄMIENSTUTE?

You may own an imported mare which bears the title of "Staatsprämie" (State Premium) or the abbreviation for it (St.Pr.St.) appears in the pedigree of a horse which you possess. The "Staatsprämie" is an encouragement measure of the Lower-Saxony State Government which aims at keeping good mares in the breed. Due to this it cannot be awarded beyond the borders of Lower Saxony.

As a rule the "Staatsprämie" is awarded to 3- or 4-year-old mares. Staatsprämienstuten must fullfil the following requirements in the year of the Staatsprämien-award:

1) They must receive a IA-prize at a mare show within the area of the Society.
2) They must pass the mare performance test with a total result of 7.0 or with an average score of 7.5 in either the basic gaits, rideability, or freejumping.
3) They have to be checked not to be a roarer.
4) They must have at least one foal within a set timeframe.

There are similar conditions abroad to receive a special title. This candidature and title resp. is, however not called "Staatsprämienstute" (St.Pr.St.) but "Elite Mare Candidate" (EMC) and "Elite Mare" (EM) resp.

Covering a mare and registering a foal. What must I do to have a mare covered?

The first answer is evident: above all you need an appropriate stallion. You may, however, not go to any stallion as not every stallion fulfills the entry-requirements of the Hanoverian Society. The stallions which fulfills the requirements are always published in the December - issue of the magazine "Der Hannoveraner". Only foals of these stallions are registered. But even the covering cannot be done without filling in some forms.
At the beginning of the year those active breeders who paid their annual due are sent a so-called "Deckschein" in which the data of the mare are already printed off by computer. Before the covering this "Deckschein" must be handed over to the owner of the stallion in order that he can record the covering in it. The owner of the stallion collects the first page-copy of the "Deckschein" which he returns to the Society at the end of the year. After the covering the owner of the stallion hands both the duplicates over to the owner of the mare.
Artificial Insemination (including fresh semen insemination, transported semen, and deep-frozen semen) is approved in Canada if an application in this respect has been made for the particular stallion. An Artificial Insemination-form must be filled in and parentage verification must be carried out for each foal produced by Artificial Insemination. More details with regard to this can be obtained at the Society's office at Verden.

What must I do when a foal is born?

When the owner of a registered mare has advised our office the previous year of the covering of the said mare he also receives an Abfohlmeldung (Notification of foaling) in the beginning of the year. The birth of the foal as well as the information required are to be noted in this document. It is the basis for issuing a pedigree paper. If your mare bears a living foal you keep the Abfohlmeldung for the present without filling in anything. You hand the document to the Society's representative who registers the foal, brands it on the left hip and fills in this Abfohlmeldung. He will keep the first sheet and give both the copies to you . In case a mare did not come in foal please fill this in yourself in the appropriate column of the Abfohlmeldung and send it back to Germany immediately. If your mare has a still born foal or if the foal dies before it is branded, then please fill in the Abfohlmeldung as well. In these cases, however, the date of birth and the sex of the foal must also be indicated.

When the Abfohlmeldung is processed each horse receives a reference number of 9 figures, the so-called life number, which applies for its whole life. It is composed as follows:

F.I.

Therefore the horse of which this is the life number is a Hanoverian (= 31) which was born in the year 1988. Its dam was the 130th mare to be covered at breeding station 22.

This system mentioned above can plainly be comprehended concerning Celle state stud stallions, whereas, due to the multitude of private breeding stations which in part are used by just a few Hanoverian mares, often several breeding stations are comprised within one number.

THE DECKSCHEIN CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION (NUMBERS IN BOLD TYPE):

(1) Breeding register (=year of breeding)
(2) Number of breeding station
(3) Current breeding number
(4) Name of mare
(5) Stud-book division -> H = Main-Stud-Book; S = Stud-Book; V = Appendix
(6) Life number
(7) Colour and markings
(8) Date of birth
(9) Name and life number of Mare's sire
(10) Name of mare's dam
(11) Stud-book division and registration number of dam
(12) Above described mare was covered
(13) Was inseminated with frozen semen (please cross the corresponding section)
(14) Was inseminated with fresh semen
(15) Insemination station
(16) Insemination branch
(17) on the farm
(18) Name of stallion
(19) Life number of stallion
(20) Breeding dates
(21) Last breeding date (very important) -> TT = day; MM = month; JJ = year
(22) This section is only filled in , according to Section 12-19, when the mare is
covered or inseminated by a second stallion
(23) Date
(24) Signature of stallion keeper

Abfohlmeldung

The "Abfohlmeldung" contains the following information (Numbers in bold type)

(1) Name and address of breeder of the foal

(2) Remarks

(3) Name and address of owner of the foal

(4) Year of breeding

(5) Number of breeding station

(6) Current number of breeding

(7) Mare, life number, by (sire)

(8) Colour and markings of the mare

(9) Covered / Inseminated by

(10) Breeding date

(11) Details about the foal

(12) Life number

(13) Date of birth (day, month, year)

(14) Sex (1 = male; 2 = female)

(15) Colour (write out)

(16) Can turn grey (yes = cross)

(17) Foal has died (yes = cross)

(18) Twin (yes = cross)

(19) Markings: (please write out, only to be illed in by the branding representative)

  1) Head, 2) LF, 3) RF, 4) LH, 5) RH, 6) Body, 7) Other markings

(20) The fee for the pedigree certificate of £............ has received:

(21) Date

(22) Signature of representative of Verband

(23) After above mentioned breeding no foal can be reported out of the following reason: 1 = mare did not come in foal; 2 = mare is sold; 3 = mare has died; 4 = other reason; 5 = still born foal; 6 = resorbed; 7 = change of ownership)

(24) Confirmation that the above mentioned dates are right with date and signature of mare owner:

WHAT IS THE PEDIGREE PAPER / ABSTAMMUNGSNACHWEIS

The Abstammungsnachweis can be called the passport of the horse. All the important data concerning the horse are recorded in it. A pedigree table of four generations is printed on it, the brands are noted down together with the date of branding as well as all the registration in stud-books or as a competition horse. The Abstammungsnachweis belongs to the horse and it must in any case be handed over in case of change of ownership.

Attention when purchasing horses!!!

Never buy a horse for which the Abstammungsnachweis is not submitted! Since the Abstammungsnachweis is issued only once problems could arise, if you do not receive a paper at purchase.

The Abstammungsnachweis is, however, issued for such foals only of which the dam and the sire were entered into the Stud-book of the Society at the latest in the year of the birth of the foal. It is issued only in the year of the birth of the foal.

If you own a mare and want to be entered into a section of the Hanoverian stud-book as a three-year-old or older, then the original Abstammungsnachweis must always be submitted for entry into the stud-book. Otherwise an entry is not possible.

HORSE PASSPORT

The end of the Foal Registration Paper

At the beginning of this year, we now officially bid farewell to our well-known pink registration papers. As of January 1, 1998, a horse passport is issued for every born foal, which includes all foals of the 1998's vintage, all foals born after November 1, 1997.

The new passport is similar to the documents issued to Thoroughbreds. It consists of 40 pages, which are filed and secured in a plastic cover.

Why do we now need 40 pages when until now we did just fine with two 9" x 11" pages?

The new passport includes data which goes far beyond the information of our former registration paper. It includes
1. Breeding information and proof of identity for every horse with all the data that was included in our registration paper until now.
2. A veterinarian document that includes all the necessary records on the horse's health status (e.g. vaccinations).
3. F.E.I. Passport. A horse that participates at international competitions does not need additional documents.
In addition to the above-described passport, each horse receives a separate certificate of ownership in a 9" by 11" format, which can be kept in a safe place separately.

The passport includes in the first section the basic data on each horse, which is available when it is issued, the life registration number, the sex, colour, date of birth, breed, pedigree, breeder and owner. These six pages are called breeding certificate. When both parents of said horse are registered, then these pages will be in pink, as before. Is only one parent of said horse registered, these pages will be white.

The following pages are printed forms. During the horse's lifetime, entries will be made. These pages can be divided in:
· The FEI part, which includes an outline diagram. This needs to be filled out when crossing borders.
· Entries from breeding and competitions, e.g. approval results, studbook entries, performance test results, competition records.
· Proof of identity checks, e.g. at a horse show or when crossing a border.
· Entries of laboratory results.
· Documentation on horse influenza.
· Chapter 8 is a vaccination record for all other diseases.

The regulations of the European Union demand that the identity of a horse can be established at any time. Therefore, the passport must accompany the horse on every trip. The risk of losing the document is now much greater than when the document is stored in a safe place. This is the reason for issuing a separate certificate of ownership, which will be passed on to a third party only at the time of the sale of said horse.

Foal Registration

The procedure of the foal registration remains the same. A representative of the association will identify the foal at the side of its dam during its first year. All horse passports and certificates of ownership will be issued at the office of the Verband in Verden. The office will send out the documents to the breeders.

STALLIONS

Required ancestry for approved stallions

STALLIONS

Requirements for stallions

(Photos were not available)

When will a stallion be approved?

The cornerstone of the modern Hanoverians' success is the rigorous selection and licensing which all youngstock have to undergo. In the case of stallions, the selection is very demanding and the rules prohibits any stallion standing at stud until he has been fully licensed and tested. Only the progeny of these stallions, out of "Registered" mares, can be considered for inclusion in the Breed Stud-Book.

For a prospective stallion, the first step on the ladder is his pedigree. To qualify, a stallion must al least have six generations of approved ancestors (see page before). The dam and the dam's dam must be Main-Stud-Book mares. Beside this, it is mandatory that the dam has passed the ridden performance test, if she was born in 1990 or later.(1992 in U.K.)

Rigorous selection

The first step for potential stallions occurs just before weaning, at roughly six month of age. Foals which display outstanding qualities will be reared by the stallion Rearing Stud at Hunnesrueck, which is connected to the State Stud Celle, or by private stallion rearers. At the age of two these stallions will be brought before a commission of the Verband, which makes a pre-selection for the main licensing, At this stage selection will be very rigorous and out of the 700 or so two year olds forward, only about a hundred will be chosen to go on the main stallion Körung or "Grading" at two and a half years of age. The remainder will, eventually, be gelded and sold as riding horses.

STALLION LICENSING

The annual Stallion Licensing is held at the Breed Society headquarters in Verden, over a four day period. When they arrive the young stallions first go to a veterinary inspection. In the afternoon their jumping skills are tested in the free-jumping. Next day, the colts are paraded before the panel of judges and are shown both on a special "walking lane" and on the "triangle", so that each can clearly be seen both approaching and going away from the judges. They are marked for conformation, presence and masculinity as well as for correctness of paces together with a supple, ground covering stride. A total score of "seven" is required for a stallion to pass.

On the second day, after the judges have had another look at the candidates, the results are announced. This is one of the high spots of the year for breeders, and a real tension crackles round the packed ranks of spectators as the president of the judges stands up to announce the results. Each colt is brought out, separately, and the president announce, in ringing tones, the result. "Licensed" or "Not Licensed"! On these simple words hangs the result of over two years work and careful preparation by the colts' owners: no wonder that the tension is so great! The president will also announce for a very few of the young stallions, that they have been chosen to go to the prestigious State Stud at Celle. It is a condition of stallion Licensing that the State Stud has "first Choice" on the purchase of ten newly licensed stallions.

Of the hundred or so colts sent for Licensing, only about half will pass the judges scrutiny. Colts which fail the Licensing are not allowed to stand as stallions. Even so, being very high quality animals, most "failed" colts will have, when gelded, an important future as riding and competition horses. They are sold at auction and this is an excellent opportunity to buy a carefully raised performance horse prospect.

PERFORMANCE TEST

The stallion performance test

For the successful, "Licensed", stallions the selection process is not yet over. They are only licensed on condition that they pass by the age of four a 100-day-test, a stallion performance test at a specially created testing centre like Adelheidsdorf, just outside Celle.

The test itself is, in fact a form of "two day event" where the stallions are examined in Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country performance as well as having their galloping paces carefully measured.

However, the really vital aspect of the whole procedure is that, before the actual Performance Test, the private stallions have to remain at the Testing Centre for one hundred days, stallions of the State Stud even for 11 month, during which time they undergo carefully controlled and standardised training by professional riders. This ensures that the test is a true and fair comparison of the stallions. The training and testing is backed by the highest standards of horsemanship and really dies give a profound insight into the capabilities and potential of each stallion.

Of recent years, test standards have steadily risen as a measure of the increasing demands placed upon the modern competition horse. The test result is calculated with quite a complicated mathematical formula, which standardises the average result of each group to 100 points. The training scores have an influence of 50% on the final result, the other 50% are given during the final test by foreign judges and test riders. For entry into the stallion book of the Verband a stallion must finish with at least 90 points (0,5 standard deviation below average). The stallions are judged by the following criteria:

STALLION REGISTRATION

What must I do as the owner of a stallion to have my stallion registered?

After having passed the performance test a stallion is, however, not automatically entered into the Hanoverian stallion-book. This is not effected until an explicit written application is made by the owner of the stallion.

Please note that not each stallion which is used in Germany is automatically registered for foreign countries as well. As a rule only stallions bearing the Hanoverian foalbrand are recognized abroad. In most cases this application must have reached the Verband by mid November for the following breeding season. The board of the stud-book then decides on the registration of the stallions at a December meeting.

Each owner of a stallion must know that this application has to be made annually. Thus, the recognition is valid only for the breeding season indicated. Therefore our office must be informed of each change of breeding station. The recognition involves a fee which has to be paid annually after having received the invoice.

After having met all of these requirements within the time allowed the owner of a stallion receives a breeding list in early spring. In this list all covered mares of which the foals shall be branded Hanoverian must be registered. Moreover the owner of the stallion gathers the cover certificates for each covered mare. After the end of the breeding season - by October 31 at the latest - he sends the breeding list and the cover certificates to the Society's office. Adding the application for the next season to it is appropriate.

Is Artificial Insemination Permitted?

The rules for the acceptance of Artificial Insemination (fresh semen, transported semen, frozen semen) can be obtained from our office.

In the UK the British Hanoverian Horse Society holds an annual show at which eligible stallions are brought forward for licensing and if successful there are licensed to stand in the UK. They have to go to Germany for the stallion performance test within twelve months. If they do not reach the required standard the license is withdrawn immediately. Stallions licensed through the British Hanoverian Horse Society are automatically accepted in Germany.

HOW CAN I BEST PURCHASE A HANOVERIAN?

The BHHS website will be listing Hanoverian horses for sale on hanoverian-gb.org.uk or contact the Secretary.

One way to buy a Hanoverian is at the Verden auctions. The wide selection on offer at the auctions shows something for everyone. Foals, brood mares, young riding-horses for all disciplines and levels, stallions - here everyone can find the horse that suits to him.

The auctions were originally introduced to be sales for the individual breeders. Most of the Hanoverian breeders own just one to three brood mares and their opportunities to sell are correspondingly limited. That is exactly the reason why the auctions had been introduced in 1949. Only someone who owns at least one registered brood mare thus being a regular member is allowed to present a horse there.

Moreover the horses offered at these auctions are selected out of a large number of horses. Before each auction a selection commission goes on a tour through the whole breeding area and selects the best horses at places which have been stipulated in advance. 700 - 800 horses are e.g. regularly shown twice a year for the riding-horse auction. All horses have passed the vet.-check before going into the auction ring. For the foal auction there are frequently not less than 1500 foals presented for selection.

The characteristics of the different auctions in brief:

Elite Riding-Horse Auction

The most famous of the Verden auctions. They have been held since 1949, and they are therefore the oldest ones in Germany and leading in the world. Horses, famous all over the world, such as "Aramis" (World-Cup-Winner 1984 under Mario Deslauriers, CDN), "Mr. T" (World Champion 1986 under Gail Greenough), or "Slibowitz" (European Champion under Uwe Schulten-Baumer) were sold here.
The horses are delivered at least three weeks before the auction, and they are trained by a high-class team of riders and trainers under constant veterinary supervision. During the whole training period it is possible to watch and test the horses. The auctions take place twice each year, in mid April and mid October.

Summer and Winter Auction

At these auctions preselected riding-horses are offered on an attractive price level (average approx. 15,000 DM). The training period lasts 10 days. During this time the horses can of course be watched and testes at any time. The dates always are end of January and end of July. Stars like "E.T. FRH" (Hugo Simon, twice World-Cup-Winner 1996 and 1997) or "Dulf" (Leslie McNaught Mändli, CH) have been discovered at this type of auction.

Equitop-Auction

The offer of nice riding-horses on a reasonable price level is comparable to that of the winter and summer auctions. The training's period takes 10 days as well. The horses can also be watched and tested at any time. The dates are the beginning of May and mid November, where some pregnant brood mares are included.

Stallion Licensing and Sale

This event was already referred to on pages 27 ff. The licensed stallions are sold non-publicly through negotiations with the Verband while the stallions that were not licensed are sold by auction.

Magazine "Der Hannoveraner"

We would be happy to welcome you as a reader of "Der Hannoveraner".

Should you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Katrin Kitsch.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Ludwig Christmann
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Application Form for associate membership of Verband hannoverscher Warmblutzüchter e.V. Lindhooper Str. 92, D - 27283 Verden

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Name Christian Name

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House No. & Street

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Town / City

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Country Pho.No.

I hereby apply for associate membership of Verband hannoverscher Warmblutzüchter e.V. which includes subscription of the breeders magazine „Der Hannoveraner". I enclose a cheque of £ 20 as a member fee.
(Please contact John Shenfield for current rate)

_______________________ __________________________
Place / date Signature

HANOVERIAN CONTACTS

Association of Hanoverian Warmblood Breeders, Lindhooper Str. 92, D - 27283 Verden
Verband hannoverscher Warmblutzüchter e.V.

1. Chairmen: Friedrich Jahncke, Dannenberg
Vice-Chairman: Heinrich Heemke, Kirchlinteln
Manfred Schäfer, Vechelde

Managing Director: Dr. Jochen Wilkens, Verden
directly dialing 0 42 31/6 73 40

Managers:
Training and Sales Centre - Rainer Kiel
directly dialing 0 42 31/6 73 30

Dr. Enno Hempel
0 42 31/6 73 36

Stud-Book - Dr. Ludwig Christmann
0 42 31/6 73 14

Katrin Kitsch, English correspondence, inspection and
branding journeys
0 42 31/6 73 10
hannoveraner.kkitsch@t-online.de

Personal and Accounts
Department - Gerhard Wiechers
0 42 31/6 73 22

Office hours: Monday to Friday 8.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.
(Switchboard: 0 42 31/67 30)
outside office hours: answering machine

Hanoverian Riding and Driving School, Lindhooper Str. 81, D - 27283 Verden
Hannoversche Reit- und Fahrschule

Manager: Joachim Weist, ph.: 0 42 31/93 32 55

State Stud at Celle, Spörckenstr. 10, D - 29221 Celle

Niedersächsisches Landgestüt Celle
ph.: 0 51 41/92 94- 0
Fax: 0 51 41/92 94-31

Performance Test Centre Adelheidsdorf, ph.: 0 51 41/8 85 60

Manager: Head Saddle Master Joachim Winter

Association of Private Hanoverian Stallion Holders

Norbert Bramlage, Bünner Ringstr. 52, D - 49413 Dinklage, ph.: 0 44 43/12 95

WE WILL BE GLAD TO WELCOME YOU AT A VERDEN AUCTION.

Convenient to reach! The nearest airports are Bremen, Hamburg, Hanover, the biggest is Frankfurt, 400 km south o fVerden.

Verden railway station is a stop for D-train (fast trains) between Bremen and Hanover.

Motorway A27 Hanover-Walsrode-Bremen junction Verden Ost.

Accommodation : booking through the Städtisches Verkehrsamt, Ostertorstr. 7a, D-27283 Verden, Tel. 0049-4231-12317

THE MOST IMPORTANT ADDRESSES IN GERMANY AND OVERSEAS

Verband hannoverscher Warmblutzüchter e.V.
Lindhooper Str. 92, D - 27283 Verden
Ph. 0 42 31/67 30, Telefax 0 42 31/6 73 12
Internet: http://www.hannoveraner.com
E-mail: hannoveraner@hannoveraner.com

Niedersächsisches Landgestüt Celle
Spörckenstr. 10, D - 29221 Celle
Ph. 05141/9294 0
E-mail: landgestuet.celle@t-online.de

The British Hanoverian Horse Society
John Shenfield (Secretary)
Ecton Lane
Sywell
Northampton NN6 OBP
Ph. 01604 492750
Email hann@jshenfield.worldonline.co.uk
www.hanoverian-gb.org.uk

Hanoverian Society of Australia
Mrs. Sharon Armstrong
G.P.O. Box 2039
Brisbane 4001
QLD Australia
Ph. (07) 4696 7464

Hanoverian Society of New Zealand
Judith Matthews (President)
PO Box 27
Awanui 552, Northland
Ph. (09) 406 7380

Hanoverian Breeding Club of Eastern Canada
Inga Möller
R.R. # 4, Rockwood
Ontario N0P 2K0
Ph. (519)856-9221

Hanoverian Breeding Club of Western Canada
Pat Mergen
Box 26, Priddis
Alberta T0L IW0
Ph. (403)931-2587

American Hanoverian Society
Hugh Bellis-Jones (executive Director)
4059 Iron Works Pike
Building A
Lexington, KY 40511
Ph. (606)255-4141, Telefax (606)255-8467

Verband hannoverscher Warmblutzüchter e.V.

Niedersachsenhalle * D-27283 Verden (Aller) * Tel. 04231/6730 * Fax 04231/67312

Internet: http://www.hannoveraner.com E-mail: hannoveraner @hannoveraner.com