The American Hanoverian Society

Shakespeare RSF Wins at Prix St. Georges Level

AHS — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:10:36 +0000

The 2004 Hanoverian stallion Shakespeare RSF (Sandro Hit-EM Acapella/Arrian), owned and bred by Maurine Swanson of Rolling Stone Farm, Slatington, Pa., along with rider/trainer John Amber won the Developing Prix St. Georges at the Wellington Classic Spring Dressage Challenge Show on February 9-12, 2012 at Jim Brandon Park in Wellington, Fla., with a 66.324%. This was Shakespeare’s first time showing in Developing Prix St. Georges, and his very first test at the Prix St. Georges Level.

At the Florida Dressage Classic the following weekend, Shakespeare performed his first ever Prix St. Georges – Open test with good results scoring 63.882% for first place on Thursday, and 65.855% for fifth place on Saturday. The pair was up against some experienced horse/rider combinations.

Photo: © SusanJStickle.com

“The American Hanoverian” – Winter 2011/12

AHS — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:39:29 +0000

The American Hanoverian magazine is now available online to current-year AHS members. Click here to download the Winter 2011/12 issue. You must be a current member and logged in to access the downloadable PDF link.

“The American Hanoverian” – Winter 2011/12

AHS — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:35:32 +0000

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AHS Renews Data Share Agreement with United States Equestrian Federation

AHS — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:27:12 +0000

The American Hanoverian Society (AHS) is pleased to announce that it has renewed its data share agreement with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for a five-year period, 2012 through 2016.

In 2009, the AHS and USEF reached agreement whereby AHS-registered foals would automatically be lifetime recorded with USEF as part of the AHS’s regular $185.00 registration fee. The association was pleased to offer this added value service to the AHS membership at no additional cost. During the past three years (2009-2011), the AHS has recorded more than 1,200 foals with USEF. In future years this agreement will effectively tie performance to pedigree for American Hanoverians competing in USEF licensed competitions and will, for the first time, allow both organizations to access accurate data for both pedigree and performance.

The AHS supplies USEF with accurate breeding data on each foal, including horse’s name, date of foaling, sire, dam, broodmare sire, Universal Equine Life Number, breeder, owner at time of recording, etc. USEF in turn provides the AHS with a USEF life recording number that is permanently recorded on the horse’s Hanoverian registration papers. Additionally, foal owners receive a life recording certificate directly from USEF.

On all USEF online standings lists, the horses that have been verified by the AHS or by submission of AHS papers will include the AHS logo. By the accompaniment of this logo, the general public will see which horses are AHS-registered. The data provided to USEF by the AHS will be used to promote American-bred sport horses and to rank the top breeders and sires. As part of the agreement with USEF, AHS-registered foals (beginning with foals of 2009) are also automatically added to the USEF American Performance Horse (APH) Registry, which is open to all American-bred performance horses and intended to showcase horses bred in the United States.

Stated USEF’s Lisa Owens, Assistant Executive Director, Competition and Horse Services, “We are so pleased that the American Hanoverian Society has decided to renew its life recording contract with USEF. We have developed a great relationship with AHS Executive Director Hugh Bellis-Jones who shares the philosophy of tracking pedigree with performance by accurately tying the two together. This type of data sharing is a win-win for both organizations and makes it possible to track lifetime performance in an accurate manner.”

Added Ken Ball, Director of USEF Horse Registration and Services, “I am delighted that the contract with the American Hanoverian Society has been extended. USEF’s goal is to obtain clean, verified pedigree data and there is no better way to achieve this than directly from the registry. We look forward to working with the AHS staff in the coming years.”

To obtain complimentary USEF lifetime recording for their foals, AHS members must complete all registration requirements (completed registration application, photographs, parentage verification through DNA, etc.) by December 31 of the foal’s year of birth. This date has been determined by contractual agreement with USEF. After this date it will cost AHS individual yearling owners $85 to lifetime record their horse with USEF.

Photo: USEF Executive Director Lori Rawls and Ken Ball, USEF Director of Horse Registration and Services, along with AHS Executive Director Hugh Bellis-Jones (center). © Amanda Basset

Tax Strategy for Horse and Livestock Owners

AHS — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:55:50 +0000

[Submitted by John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law]

People in the livestock and horse industries are already hard pressed with IRS audits and difficult rules requiring the showing of the intention to make a profit despite ongoing losses. The IRS Commissioner has said the IRS is determined to be more aggressive going after Americans who do not file tax returns, overstate their deductions, or who fail to report their offshore accounts, as well as farmers and ranchers who exaggerate depreciation and other deductions.

There are do’s and don’t's which farmers, ranchers and horse owners should be aware of in complying with IRS Regulations. The IRS is not looking for any higher standard of record keeping than expected of ordinary small businesses. Even if you commingle funds, the main point is to have proper ledgers, separate records of each animal, cost projections, and some form of a business plan. Business plans often can change, and these changes should be documented in your files.

People who are starting up in the horse or livestock business have the opportunity to create a clean slate by consulting with an expert and laying out their plans with proper documentation. People who are in the formative years of an activity hopefully can, with proper planning, attain an early sign of profits. Others, who are encouraged but still fail to make a profit, need special expert guidance, documentation and opinions of counsel in order to withstand IRS audits. IRS regulations state that anyone who engages in horse breeding, selling or racing, or livestock ranching – has the burden or proof if they fail to show two profit years in a seven-year period (the standard is two in five for livestock). However, some courts have held that the start up phase in a horse or livestock activity persists beyond seven-year period, even to ten and more years, provided the taxpayer has proper guidance and documentation to prove the intention to make a profit.

For people who are just starting, it’s important to conduct extensive research of the horse or livestock industry and particular breeds prior to engaging in the activity. This helps show how you established your intention to be engaged in an activity for profit.

Quite often I have clients who expect to make a profit through the eventual sale of a principal animal or group of animals. This is a good point to document in your records. You should establish criteria to show how you expect to profit from an animal in the future, even though it is not presently profitable.

I am frequently asked whether it is advisable for an ongoing farm or ranch activity to be operated as a corporation or an LLC (limited liability company) entity. The answer depends on the individual situation. Operating a business under a corporate entity is clearly more businesslike than a sole proprietorship, and can help show your overall business intentions. It is necessary to keep a Minute Book, pay a corporate filing fee, and incur other expenses when operating as a corporation or LLC entity.

Perhaps the most critical event with any horse or livestock operation is an IRS audit. Keep in mind that the issue in an audit will be first to substantiate expenses, and second to prove the intention to be engaged in an activity for profit. If you are assessed a deficiency after an audit, the IRS will want you to sign a letter “agreeing” to the assessment. Or, you can request to have an appeal within the IRS bureaucracy or take the case to U.S. Tax Court. At that point it is helpful to have legal representation to insure your case is presented in the best possible light. Most cases in IRS Appeals or U.S. Tax Court can be settled if the taxpayer has good evidence to support the argument that the activity is engaged in for profit despite a history of losses.

John Alan Cohan is a lawyer who has served the horse, livestock and farming industries since l98l. He can be reached at (310) 278-0203, or by e-mail at johnalancohan@aol.com. See more info on his website, www.JohnAlanCohan.com.

John Madden Sales Announces New Contest for North American Bred Jumper

AHS — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:52:40 +0000

Breeder’s Bridge to High Performance

John Madden Sales, Inc and rider Callie Schott will be offering a chance of a lifetime for several lucky jumper prospects. Selected horses will receive three months free training and board at John Madden Sales to be ridden and brought along by up and coming Grand Prix rider, Callie Schott.

Callie Schott has been the assistant rider for Beezie Madden since 2009 and has recently been seen competing such talented horses as Wrigley, a Dutch bred mare she has brought along herself under the direction of John and Beezie Madden to top results, including two second place finishes in the Grand Prix of Vermont in August of 2011.

“Beezie and I have incredible faith in Callie’s talent. We see her becoming a real force in the Grand Prix ring in the years to come. The recipients of this contest will be given a great opportunity to progress with Callie in the saddle and Beezie and I overseeing the horse’s schedule,” said John Madden.

“I am especially excited that the focus will be on North American bred horses. We have some spectacular breeders here in North America and there’s no reason the next top Grand Prix horse can’t come from one of them. I was very fortunate to have the ride on Judgement ISF, who won over $1.5 million in his career and was bred here at Iron Spring Farm. I think breeders in North America often have a difficult time getting a prospect hooked up with the right rider that can bring it along to its full potential. Hopefully this will bring a renewed focus on not forgetting to shop at home, as well as abroad,” said Beezie Madden.

Owners of North American bred Thoroughbreds, including ex-racehorses looking for new careers, are encouraged to apply. While only a few horses will be given the opportunity for free training in 2012, the Madden’s and Schott are hopeful that this will serve to highlight several talented breeders to others who are searching for prospects.

Applications will be due by March 31st and will be narrowed down to five finalists by April 15th. The finalists will be tried by Schott and the winners will be announced by June 1st. Horses must be five years old in 2012 or older. Contest applicants will need to submit a video and application.

ENTRY GUIDELINES

To follow the contest and continue to receive updates on finalist and winners register at http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=ow68bajab&p=oi&m=1109177267918.

HV’s “The Hanoverian” – 01|2012

AHS — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:18:26 +0000

Current members may click here to download the January issue of the HV’s “The Hanoverian”. You must be a current member and logged in to access the downloadable PDF link.

HV’s “The Hanoverian” – 01|2012

AHS — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:11:15 +0000

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2012 Silent Auction Open for Bidding until 5:00 PM EST on January 19

AHS — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:45:09 +0000

The ever-popular Annual Meeting Silent Auction offers fun and fantastic bidding opportunities on a wide range of donated items. Proceeds from the auction benefit future annual meeting educational opportunities and Hanoverian promotion.

In order to give members who are unable to attend the 2012 AHS Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet a chance to join in on the excitement of the Silent Auction, a small sampling of items have been added to the AHS Silent Auction web page and are available for open bidding. More items will be available during the live auction at the 2012 Annual Meeting. If you are searching for a particular item that is not listed, contact Meredith Michelfelder at cmmick@earthlink.net or call (256) 565-7707 for more information. If bidding on an item, complete the 2012 Silent Auction Bidding Form and fax it to Meredith Michelfelder at (877) 247-2167.

Online bids for the items listed will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, January 19, 2012. Online bids compete with “live” Silent Auction bidding on Friday, January 20, 2012.

Hilary Clayton Seminar “Assessing Equine Conformation and Biomechanics”

AHS — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:10:43 +0000

Hilary Clayton Seminar “Assessing Equine Conformation and Biomechanics”
March 24-25, 2012

Hilltop Farm and the Mid-Atlantic Hanoverian Breeders Club (MAHB) are excited to be welcoming Dr. Hilary Clayton for a two-day seminar that will focus on how to evaluate equine structure and movement in relation to performance and soundness of sport horses. Each day will include a classroom presentation and discussion as well as live horse evaluations.

Internationally known in the horse industry to be one of the leading authorities on equine conformation and biomechanics, Dr. Clayton is the author of six published books and the first incumbent of the Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University since 1997. Dr. Clayton currently stands on the board of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and is a member of the USEF Dressage Committee. She has been inducted into the International Veterinarians Hall of Fame, the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, and the Midwest Dressage Association Hall of Fame and as an avid dressage rider herself, has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals.

Whether you’re a breeder, trainer, or rider make sure not to miss this exciting opportunity to learn from an internationally recognized clinician. Lunch will be provided for everyone who pre-registers before March 1st, so please register early to reserve your spot as space is limited!

For additional information regarding the seminar visit www.hilltopfarminc.com or contact Holly Fisher at holly@hilltopfarminc.com or 410-658-9898 ext. 106.