Gold Gaits, LLC is dedicated to the select breeding of World-Class Hanoverian horses. The Hanoverian breed has dominated the Olympics in both Dressage and Show Jumping more than any other breed. Hanoverians are best known for their superior athletic ability, intelligence, and temperament.
Only about 600 foals born in the United States each year qualify to be registered as Hanoverians. The American Hanoverian Society carefully critiques its foal stock during annual on-site inspections. Each Hanoverian stallion must pass rigorous testing before being approved for the Hanoverian Stud Book. The real backbone of any breeding program, however, is the quality of the dam mare. It is of utmost importance that the dam mare has superior bloodlines and a successful show performance record. By competing successfully on the show circuit, it demonstrates the strength of her bloodlines and proves that her confirmation, athleticism, and intelligence are superior to her competitors. It is also a very strong indicator of what she will produce as offspring.
Gold Gaits has been blessed to have found the Elite Hanoverian mare EM RIEKE to serve as the Foundation Mare for our breeding program. Her bloodlines are saturated with extremely successful performance horses excelling in Show Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing. EM RIEKE has successfully competed nationally and internationally at the FEI levels. Our goal is to carefully select and breed EM RIEKE to superior stallions, producing only the very finest Hanoverian offspring. We also wish to carefully place the young stock into the hands of owners /trainers who are equally as committed to nurturing, training, and competing these wonderful Hanoverian athletes !
The following is additional information about Hanoverians published on the American Hanoverian Society’s website:
What is a Hanoverian?
History
For generations, the Hanoverian horse has been recognized as one of the most prominent and successful breeds of riding horses in the world today. The breed originated in northern Germany in the state of Lower Saxony, the former kingdom of Hannover, where a flourishing horse-breeding industry has existed for 400 years. The State Stud was established at Celle in 1735, and the Hanoverian Studbook was officially begun in 1888.
Breeding Goal
The breed retains the substantial bone, sturdiness and stamina of its heritage: nearly 300 years ago the Hanoverian was bred to serve as a robust carriage and military horse. Since the end of World War II, the breeding goal has been to exclusively produce a more versatile performance horse. Breeding stock is very carefully inspected and selected for correct conformation, athletic ability and inner qualities such as disposition and trainability. The Hanoverian has natural impulsion and light and elastic gaits characterized by a ground-covering walk, a floating trot, and a soft, round, rhythmic canter.
The Hanoverian in the United States
After discovering the breed’s athletic talent and rideability, American competitors began importing Hanoverians, and a need arose to continue the German standard of selectivity for the breed in this country. In 1978 the American Hanoverian Society (AHS) was incorporated for that purpose. Over the years, the Society has worked closely with the German Hanoverian Verband (the Verband hannoverscher Warmblutzuechter) inspecting breeding stock, registering horses, and licensing and performance testing stallions. In 1995 the AHS assumed full responsibility for breeding Hanoverians in this country. To maintain continuity, the AHS invites representatives of the HV to judge breeding stock and to attend the annual business meeting.
Selectivity Enhances Success
Quality performance prospects are the result of the Hanoverian selection process. Each year the AHS organizes a national inspection tour to register foals, inspect and performance test mares, and license stallions. In order for a foal to be registered, both the sire and dam must be AHS approved.
Mares
Mare inspections take place at age three or older. German and American inspectors evaluate mares for type, conformation and gaits. The Mare Performance Test (MPT) scores a mare’s rideability, gaits and jumping talent. Eligible high-scoring Main Studbook mares that pass this performance test to become Elite Mare Candidates (EMC). Once they have completed the final requirement of producing an AHS-registered foal within three years they are awarded the prestigious title of Elite Mare (EM).
Stallions
All stallion candidates must be presented for physical inspection. If scores on conformation, movement and jumping ability are sufficient, a temporary breeding license is granted. Stallions must then either complete the 70-Day (formerly 100-day) Stallion Test which evaluates their gaits, trainability and athletic ability in dressage, show jumping and cross country, or they must meet specified performance requirements. Breeding eligibility is verified annually.
Foals
Only foals from AHS inspected and approved parents may be register with the AHS.
Reference websites:
American Hanoverian Society: www.Hanoverian.org
German Hanoverian Verband: www.Hannoveraner.com