Above Photo: HV representative Joerg-Wilhelm Wegener at Woodridge Farm in Claremore, Okla., with a 2008 Jumper Breeding Program-bred foal by Escudo II-EM Solei/Silvio I. This exquisite black filly was bred by Angela Houston, S.C.  |
AHS Services Directory
As announced in the 2008 spring issue of The American Hanoverian magazine, the AHS and the Hannoveraner Verband (HV) are currently embarked upon a joint enterprise, the Hanoverian Training Identification Program, which we believe will bring long term benefits to Hanoverian breeders, owners and competitors in the United States and Canada. The broad scope of this program has enabled the AHS to generate the AHS Services Directory whose goal is to produce a comprehensive compendium of sport horse services in North America. It is widely recognized that there is a need in the United States for the services of skilled professionals in a variety of areas, including foaling, mare breeding/teasing, stallion collection, raising, preparing, training and marketing young horses for breed inspections, performance tests, and sport. We know that there are many individuals and facilities qualified in the 15 categories that have been identified to date, but in a country that is continental in scope, it is easier said than done for an individual to locate the specific help that he or she may require. For example, where should AHS members turn to obtain assistance in having a stallion prepared for Hanoverian licensing? Where can an AHS member find an experienced person in his or her state to properly prepare a mare for free jumping? Now that I have a newly approved stallion, where can I send him in my area for collection? With this in mind, the AHS and HV intend that the AHS Services Directory will serve as a practical resource and network between places and persons that can properly breed, prepare and train warmblood horses. This need is voiced repeatedly to the central office; the AHS board feels that this new joint initiative will go a long way to address the situation. The HV is a full partner in the program and believes that this first step, if successful, will assist in the marketing of domestically-bred Hanoverians and could eventually lead to the establishment of an AHS-run and -managed auction in this country. During the 2008 February AHS meeting in Lexington, Ky., the board established a Training Centers/Auction Committee with representatives from the United States (Suzanne Quarles, George Walker III, Gerd and Yvonne Zuther), Germany (Dr. Ludwig Christmann and Dr. Werner Schade), and Canada (Inga Hamilton). As their first goal, this group has worked diligently together to bring the AHS Services Directory to fruition. To show their support, the HV has sent Joerg-Wilhelm Wegener, 28, to North America for a three-month period to visit the sites and individuals that have made initial applications. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Following his arrival in the United States in early May, Joerg begun a cross-country tour during which he was expected to visit some 75 to 80 sites. A journey of this nature is not easy to plan and flexibility has been the keyword throughout. The AHS has relied greatly upon the invaluable assistance of the many individuals “on the ground” who have set up site visit schedules in their immediate areas. This is yet another example that demonstrates how the AHS is very much a volunteer-driven organization. Clearly a trip of this nature is very costly and time consuming. To show their support, the HV is helping to underwrite the cost of these initial inspections; following Joerg’s return to Germany subsequent site visits will be made by members of the AHS’s Mare and Stallion Committee. The American Hanoverian Society sees this developing program as a unique advertising opportunity for participants and, as an incentive to encourage enrollment, has purposefully set enrollment fees at a very affordable level. Each of the categories has its own checklist, which is used to verify certain minimum standards necessary for listing. A listing of applicants identified in a variety of categories will be developed and maintained on the AHS website and will also be published periodically in society publications and in our national advertising. We are pleased to publish the initial AHS Services Directory of identified facilities and individuals. At present, the service categories that an individual or facility could apply for identification are as follows:
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