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For the first time Hanoverian representatives returned home from the annual meeting of the World Breeding Federation WBFSH without a victory certificate. The event horses have been a strong, supporting pillar in obtaining the second place in the overall rating behind the KWPN.
The result shows clearly that Hanoverian event horses continue to be on the advance. While only six horses were in the top 200 last year this year eleven carry the Hanoverian brand. Out of the rating period from October 2008 until September 2009 the six best of a breeding book are considered for the rating of the association. In eventing Irish Sport Horse leads the way followed by Hanover in second position then Selle Francais and, with a more significant difference, Baden-Würtemberg and the KWPN. In addition to well-known names, FRH Schorch, the champion in Boekelo, appears to be far in the front of the rating for the first time. It is not new news that the Hanoverian breed produces successful horses for all three Olympic disciplines. The growing number of event horses with worldwide recognition is however fairly young and impressively presents itself in this rating.
With respect to dressage horses, Hanover has consistently led breeding area until 2008. This year (2009) the Royal Warmblood Breed of the Netherlands (KWPN) dethroned Hanover finishing second but only by a very small margin. The Danish Warmblood came in third with a more significant margin followed by Oldenburg and the Swedish Warmblood. The number of 21 Hanoverians in the top 100 dressage horses fell to 16. A newcomer in the squad of the top six which are considered for the association rating is the stallion Lancet being the winner of the bronze medal at the European Championships with the British team. The age structure of the most successful dressage horses reflects how long it takes for a horse to mature into an international Grand Prix competitor. Simultaneously the longevity and lasting serviceability of top Hanoverian horses becomes evident. In the individual rating the dual European champion Parzival (KWPN) leads the rankings for the first time.
In jumping the Dutch receive the award for the most successful breeding book as they did last year. They also lead the individual rating with Olympic champion Hickstead followed by the French, the Holstein, the Belgium and the Westphalians. Hanover finishes in sixth position just like three years ago.
FIRST-RATE HORSES
Top horses are waiting in the wings but an international visibility has yet to happen. The signs are encouraging though as we can find three new faces in the top six Hanoverian jumper horses which were considered for the association rating including Shutterfly’s half-brother Let’s Fly and two Stakkato descendants, Saint Amour and Souvenir, winner of the German Championships under Philipp Weishaupt.
If there was an award for an overall rating of the breed books it would have been presented to the KWPN after a Hanoverian supremacy for years. This is not an official rating but it has been calculated. Hanover is followed by Holstein, Westphalia, and on the same rank Oldenburg, France and Belgium. With respect to successful breeds it all revolves around the well-established big associations. And these take their position on the market accordingly.