American Hanoverian Society

Announcing New Studbook Rules Aligning with Modern Breeding Philosophy, featured in the AHS Podcast Series

The American Hanoverian Society is excited to announce updates to the Hanoverian and Rhineland studbook approval and mare titles, inspired by the needs of today’s breeders in the United States and in alignment with similar reforms from the German Hanoverian Verband.

In keeping pace with modern demands, the American Hanoverian Society (AHS) has adapted four new rules that you need to know for your Hanoverian and Rhineland breeding programs. These cover important topics such as Premium mare candidacy for outside mares, the acceptance of fun “non-traditional” colors, new Jumper Breeding Program star awards, and the expansion of outside stallion acceptance for the Hanoverian studbook.

Important to note, these adaptations do NOT indicate a reduction in breeding standard by the AHS. Instead, the intent is to provide Hanoverian mare owners with more breeding options that are consistent with the global evolution of modern breeding philosophy.

Further details about these adaptions, including a review of your horse’s eligibility requirements and processes for licenses, approvals, and titles, reach out to Christy Markowski, Registrar, at the AHS office via email at registration@hanoverian.org.

Premium Mare title for outside mares

Historically, the designation of premium mares (previously named Hanoverian Premium Mare or Elite Mare) was strictly defined on Hanoverian standards by pedigree, performance, and breeding records, thus limiting the premium candidacy to Hanoverian mares regardless of outside mare approvals. This designation is available for both the Hanoverian and Rhineland studbooks.

Outside mares are now eligible to receive the premium mare title if they meet minimum requirements, including:

• Achievement of at least a 7.0 minimum score at inspection,
• Completion of mare performance test (MPT), or achievement of minimum sport requirements, and
• Successful production of a registered Hanoverian/Rhineland foal.

Allowance of colored horses into the Hanoverian breeding program

It is no secret that the desire for “colored” (read: dilute and pinto) warmbloods has become a focus of a sector of modern breeder and competitor interest. Many reputable studbooks are now allowing for the registration of specific color types that still meet pedigree, performance, and breeding requirements, depending on the desired levels or types of approval of foals, mares, and stallions. The American Rhineland studbook has allowed a broader range of colors from inception, so this updated rule is an exciting change for Hanoverian breeders to expand their bloodlines and tap into other marketable and desired phenotypic options for their programs, while still allowing their offspring registration into the Hanoverian studbook.

Traditionally, the American Hanoverian Studbook (in alignment with their German Hanoverian Verband counterparts) has limited registration to solid coat colors (ie: black, chestnut, bay), including grey horses. Now, breeders can register foals and have mares approved that are of the genetically dilute color varieties (including buckskin, palomino, and smoky black), as well as pinto color varieties (including brown/white and black/white combinations). All other registration requirements remain the same for pedigree, performance, and breeding, for purposes of foal, mare, and stallion registrations and approvals. The derivation of the colored coat must not come from stock-type breeds, such as the American quarter horse or paint horse breeds. Appaloosa and Knabstrubbers bloodlines and resulting coat colors are not permitted.

New Jumper Breeding Program (JBP) star program

In Germany, the concept of the Jumper Breeding Program originated in the late 1990’s, focused on the critically impactful jumper breeding lines within the Hanoverian studbook to ensure their longevity and recognition. Today, this program continues to provide visibility and validation of accomplished jumping lines through the branded Jumper Breeding Program that exists within the German and American Hanoverian studbooks. The goal of this program is to encourage jumper mare owners to utilize jumper stallions to continue to foster and build upon the high quality jumper breeding stock within the registry.

New for this year, the JBP is expanded to include star credentials indicating incremental accomplishments over and above a recognized jumping pedigree. These additional levels of recognition are described below (each star is incremental to the pedigree requirement of the basic JBP indication):

• JBP: Indicates a 4-generation jumper pedigree, as defined by the studbook based on recognized jumper lines
• First Star: Mare has achieved a score of at least 8.5 on the free jumping portion of her MPT
• Second Star: Mare has achieved a proven performance record in show jumping, with wins or placings at least five times at 1.30m or higher
• Third Star: Mare has produced two offspring competing with success at 1.40m or higher (this star can be awarded posthumously to accommodate time required for offspring to reach this level of competition)

These stars do not have to be awarded sequentially, and a mare may be awarded each star independently as each requirement is met.

Use of outside stallions for foal registration

The AHS has expanded their acceptance of outside stallions that can produce registered Hanoverian foals. Similar to breeding permits with other registries, these stallions are not Hanoverian approved, per the rules of the Hanoverian studbook approval process; however, the foals are eligible for registration. Foreign sire fees will apply to these foal registrations. For more information on this, be sure to inquire with the AHS registrar at registration@hanoverian.org.

Curious to learn more?

You can hear all about this by listening in on the American Hanoverian Society’s latest installment of the AHS podcast series – presented by Candice Klingbeil. Listen to AHS President, Natalie DiBerardinis, and AHS Vice President, Rick Toering, as they discuss these new rule changes to the AHS breeding program.