History of Hanoverian Inspections Te horse inspection process has long been a part of the breeding of Hanoverian horses, improving marketability and moving the breed forward toward sport horse breed- ing types and goals. Tough horses have been selectively bred in the Hanover region of Germany for over four cen- turies, the year 1735 was the date of a watershed event. In that year King George II, ruler of England and Hanover, established the German National State Stud, Celle, in the province of Hanover (now Germany). Tis stallion station would provide quality stal- lions for reduced fees to the local farmers with an eye towards producing a versatile horse useful for the army, for farming and for export. Celle is still a preeminent stallion sta- tion, providing excellent breeding stallions for sport horse breeders in Germa- ny and all over the world. In 1768 a “branding
decree” was enacted, al- lowing foals by Celle stal- lions to be identified as a genuine product. Begin- ning in 1844, any stallion standing in Hanover had to be licensed to be able to breed.
not only to Hanoverian breeders but also to anyone who attends an AHS inspection.
The Current Inspection Process Te Hanoverian inspection process is one of the most important parts of the mission of the American Hanove- rian Society. Te society, incorporated in 1978, has a stated breeding goal: Te aim is a noble, correctly built Warmblood horse capable of superior performance, a horse with natural impulsion and space-gaining elastic movements—a horse that because of its temperament, character, and willingness is suited principally as an all- round riding horse. Te society seeks to main-
The picturesque new headquarters of the Hannoveraner Verband e.V. located in Verden, Germany.
In 1927 Celle established its
stallion performance testing program, and state-owned colts began a 300-day training and evaluation process. By the mid-1970s, the testing process included free jumping, stadium jumping, cross country galloping and jumping, as well as dressage. And, the following aspects of a young stallion’s ability were evaluated: temperament, character, gaits, rideability and jumping ability. Tis 300-day test has been changed to a 70-day format, and Adelheidsdorf, the town where those early tests were held, is still one of the leading testing sites for stallions in Germany. Mare assessment has had a similar evolution. Mare
and foal shows began as early as 1834. When the official studbook was founded in 1888, monetary awards were offered to the best mares, and this inspection practice forms the basis for rules still in place today. In the 1930s mare performance testing began on a voluntary basis in Germany but, reflecting the needs of the time, were draught-based. Te Hanoverian Verband took over the testing of Hanoverian mares in the 1950s and by the 1970s a riding test for mares was established to further the evolving breeding goals. Te inspection process to identify excellent sport hors-
es that has been developed over many decades is still in use today and is providing important educational benefits
56 March/April 2014 SPECIAL HANOVERIAN SECTION
tain standards and encourage the betterment of the breed. Te evaluation standard ap- plied in AHS inspections is an international standard, and officials from the German Ha- noverian Verband participate as inspection judges at many AHS inspections, along with the well-established group of AHS inspection judges composed of
individuals who, for example, hold German or USEF judge, training or high performance certifications plus successful long-time Hanoverian breeders. Because the same evalu- ation standards are used in Germany and North America, stallions and mares approved for breeding in North America also are approved for breeding in Germany, and vice versa.
A Longtime Hanoverian Breeder’s
Appreciation for the Inspection Process Since 2009, an agreement with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) now automatically allows all AHS- registered foals to be assigned a Lifetime Horse Recording number, as part of the regular AHS registration process. Tis latest change has been embraced by Hanoverian breeders. Maryanna Haymon, a long time and very successful Ha-
noverian breeder and owner of Marydell Farm in Columbus, North Carolina, comments, “Te AHS currently is deliver- ing a service that is essential for breeders today. Te USEF lifetime number that is included with our registrations will prove to be invaluable in keeping track of the offspring we produce. Currently, USEF does not have a one horse/one number rule in effect but that is coming. Te FEI is now re- quiring microchipping for all new passports. Te USEF life number is the initial step in this process. It will enable breed- ers to keep track of performance records of stallions and their offspring. In other words, AHS is ahead of the times.”
American Hanoverian Society
Stefan Lafrentz
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