The original breeding area of the Hanoverians is mostly the state of Niedersachsen in the north of West Germany. The active members, about 8,500 of them, mostly farmers, breed with their ca. 12,000 registered mares.
Some 100 years ago, in 1888 to be exact, the Hanoverian Mare Register was founded, which can be considered as the forefather of the Hanoverian Horse Breeders Society (Verband hannoverscher Warmblutzüchter). The aim of the Society is to better the original breed of the Hanoverians. The amalgamation of the breeders into a Society has produced a private organization benefiting everyone. In 1986 the Society moved into their business premises adjacent to the training and marketing center. The Society considers itself to be of service entirely for the benefit of the Hanoverian horse with regard to breeding, promotional work, and sale. In the existing form of warmblood breeding, the Hanoverian is the largest in the world, the aim of its breeding has a point of direction. In the Rules of the Society, it is declared "the aim is to breed a precious, well proportioned, correct and talented warmblood horse with elevated, forward going and elastic movement, which, based on its temperment, its character and its rideability is especially suitable for riding purposes of any kind."
Furthermore, the mechanism of selecting is geared to fulfill the aim to spot the natural talent towards specialist disciplines of dressage and jumping, establish such talents and further them. The monument "Dieta with foal" stands by the "Niedersachsenhalle" in VERDEN, the inscription, "to the Hanoverian Horse-from its Breeders" shows without doubt that in Niedersachsen the belief in the Hanoverian horse has its roots, such belief is linked with knowing its tradition, experience, and passion. A small bronze copy of the monument was given as first prize to the winning family at the Mare Show of the Society. At the 1st 'Ratje-Niebuhr-Show' in 1979, the valuable prize was won by Heinrich Martfeld, Ankelohe for the family of MANILA, and at the 2nd 'Ratje-Niebuhr-Show' in 1985 we saw the winning family of the State Premium mare ACHILLA, owned by Herwart v.d. Decken, Rutenstein, take the first prize.
In the centenial year of 1988, at the 3rd 'Ratje-Niebuhr-Show', with a magnificent show evening, Friedrich Lührs-Behnke from Verden-Borstel took the first prize for the family of ANTOINETTE.
American Hanoverian Society Home Page
Copyright © Garland Farms. All Rights Reserved.
Created and Maintained by Katie Patton.
Please address comments to webmistress@gfdressage.com