Articles
Hanoverians - Stallion licensing and performance testing
based on information from the German Hanoverian Verband's
Breed orientation course material;
edited by Sue French.
Generations of careful breeding, inspection and selection have made the Hanoverian horse what it is today.
For generations, the Hanoverian horse has been recognised as one of the most prominent and successful breeds of riding horses in the world.
The breed originated in northern Germany in the state of Lower Saxony, the former kingdom of Hanover, where a flourishing horse-breeding industry has existed for 400 years. The State Stud (Landgestuet) was established at Celle in 1735, and the Hanoverian Studbook began in 1888.
The breed retains the substantial bone, sturdiness and stamina of it's heritage: nearly 300 years ago the Hanoverian was bred to serve as a robust carriage and military horse. Since the end of World War II, the breeding goal has been to produce a more versatile performance horse.
Breeding stock is very carefully inspected and selected for correct conformation, athletic ability and inner qualities such as disposition and trainability. The Hanoverian has natural impulsion, and light and elastic gaits characterised by a ground-covering walk, a floating trot, and a soft, round, rhythmic canter. The goal of the Hanoverian breeding programme is to produce a noble horse with a cooperative temperament, elastic gaits, correct conformation and outstanding ability in international equestrian disciplines.
Stallion Selection
The approving of stallions for breeding is an exceptionally thorough and very lengthy process. Although some testing is done in other countries, the main stallion licensing is in Germany, home of the breed. It starts just before weaning, at roughly six months of age. Foals which display outstanding qualities are reared at the Stallion Rearing Stud at Hunnes ruck, which is connected to the State Stud Celle, or by private stallion rearers. To get this far, all of the young horses have to pass very stringent inspections for pedigree, conformation, type and gaits, as well as freedom from any physical defects, hereditary diseases or abnormalities.
At the age of two these stallions are brought before a commission of the Verband, (the German Hanoverian Society) which makes a pre-selection for the main licensing. Of the 800 or so presented, only about 100 colts are chosen to go on to the main stallion grading at two-and-a-half years of age. Before then, they have to pass a thorough veterinary inspection by two vets contracted to the Verband. In addition, every stallion has to pass rigorous x-ray standards. Those not chosen to go forward for licensing will eventually be gelded and sold as riding horses.
Stallion Licensing
The annual Stallion Licensing and Stallion market is held at the Verband headquarters in Verden, over a three-day period. When they arrive, the young stallions first go to another veterinary inspection. Then the panel of judges marks them for conformation, presence and masculinity as well as for correctness of paces. They should have an elastic, ground-covering stride.
On the second day they are tested in free-jumping and presented again in the walking ring, where the results are announced.
 Top price of €800,000 was paid at the 2005 stallion market for this licensed son of Hofrat/T out of a de Niro mare. |
Of the 100 or so colts sent for Licensing, only about half will pass. Colts which fail to reach the licensing standard will never be permitted to stand as licensed and registered breeding stallions, although by birth, they are still Hanoverian horses. Being very high quality animals, most of these "non-licensed" colts will have an important future as riding and competition horses.
The third day is the day of the Stallion Market. Both the licensed and non-licensed colts are sold at auction. Top price paid for a licensed stallion in 2005 was €800,000, while the next highest went for €580,000.
For the licensed stallions, the selection process is not yet over. They must pass a stallion performance test for their progeny to be eligible for inclusion in the Hanoverian studbook.
Performance Testing
There are four different ways for such a performance test:-
- The 70 day test is offered to three-year-old and older stallions. Privately-owned stallions have to remain at a testing centre for 70 days. The stallions of the State Stud Celle stay at the testing centre for 11 months. During this time they undergo carefully controlled and standardised training by professional riders. In the final test the stallions are examined in dressage, showjumping and cross-country performance. The progeny of the licensed stallions which pass this test are eligible for the Hanoverian brand and to be entered into the Hanoverian Studbook.
- If a stallion is to be used for breeding as a three-year-old, which means before a successful completion of the 70-day test, he has to successfully complete a 30-day suitability test. He must receive at least 7 out of 10 in either dressage or the final jumping score. The stallion will then be permitted to breed to no more than 50 mares during his first year.
- The combination of a 30-day test followed by competing successfully: Here, a stallion can receive his full breeding license at the age of six at the earliest.
- Performance successes in dressage, jumping classes or eventing at a recognised, exceptionally high level.
In New Zealand, breeders have the choice of using one of the four imported licensed and performance tested Hanoverian stallions currently resident in this country, or selecting a European-based stallion using frozen semen.
To maximise your investment, you are well-advised to make sure your mares fit the criteria drawn up by the NZ Hanoverian Society. Having your mare classified before she goes to the stallion means the foal will have the opportunity to be registered as a Hanoverian.