Te Hanoverian Horse in North America
Originally compiled by H. Norman Richardson, MD (Blue text in parentheses indicates the names of the early AHS members’ Hanoverian stallions.)
BIRTH OF THE AHS T
he Hanoverian horse was developed in northern Germany in the state of Lower Saxony, the former kingdom of Hannover, where a flourishing horse-breeding industry
has existed for more than 400 years. Since the end of World War II, when the tractor made horses obsolete for major farm work, the breeding goal has been to exclusively produce a more versatile performance horse. Knowledgeable individuals in North America recognized a potential market for such an animal. Some of these early pioneers included individuals at Spruce Meadows in western Canada, Fritz Floto (Sandsturm) in eastern Canada, as well as others in the United States, especially Al Steiert (Abundance), Horst Kleinsorg (Manitu), Claude Stevens of Pamlico Farms (Equuleus) and Eugene Wright (Denar). Te German Hanoverian Verband, led by Dr. Walter Hartwig, provided invaluable direction and advice, and was a rich source of quality mares to be bred to these stallions. Tese mares were added to an immense potential breeding pool of other horses from outside populations such as Toroughbreds and Arabs. Te Hanoverian Warmblood breed, along with others,
slowly grew during the 1960s, accelerating in particular after the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. Due to distance and cultural barriers, it was difficult for the German Verband to serve its overseas members, and a growing number of breeders recognized a need for the establishment of a North American organization to serve them. From the beginning, it was
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recognized that to be successful, such an organization would have to be operated in a manner similar to the Verband, which had very strict rules and set a high standard before a foal was issued a Hanoverian registration paper. In order to properly market North American-bred animals,
The spectacular filly Bellatesse HTF (Bugatti Hilltop-EM Comtesse/Cordoba), wowed the judges and spectators alike at the 2009 Hilltop inspection site. She is owned by Kris Schuler and was bred by Hilltop Farm, MD. © Erin McCardell/ Hilltop Farm
some sort of documentation or registration paper was needed. Sandy Gourlas (Gran Glander) in California and Dr. Richard von Buedingen (Dueker) in the east started organizations that did not pass the test of time. A larger one, which proved more viable, was formed by Eugene Wright and developed with Horst Kleinsorg, Barbara Sedwitz (Tanzenlicht) and other eastern breeders. It was named Te American Hanoverian Society (AHS) and was founded with an initial membership of only 40 individuals. Te breeding rules and standards of the AHS are consistent with those of the Hannoveraner Verband (HV), the German Hanoverian breeding association. Incorporated in 1978 with rules and regulations similar to the American Trakehner Association, the AHS grew slowly and sought recognition by the HV. At first, many provisions of the AHS studbook did not complement those of the Verband, and approval awaited refinement that was
slow in coming. By 1981, there were a growing number of mare owners who
needed Verband inspections for their breeding stock. Many had been members of the early organizations and had papers from them. So it was with a backlog of issues that Dr. Walter Hartwig scheduled a Verband inspection at Glenwood Farms, owned by Jack and Judy Williams, where the Hanoverian stallion Diamont was standing in northern California. Eligible horses and foals were brought from many of the western states. After a very satisfactory event, Verband members met for breakfast on Glenwood Farms’
American Hanoverian Society
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