Lexington, KY; February 8, 2016 — The American Hanoverian Society (“AHS”) is pleased to announce that it will adopt and administer the Rhineland Studbook in the United States.  This positive development follows the merger of the Rhineland Studbook in Germany with the German Hanoverian Verband (“HV”).  In this expansion of its services, the AHS will: 1) maintain the American Rhineland Studbook (“ARS”) as a separate and distinct entity from the Hanoverian Studbook; 2) adopt and implement breeding rules for the Rhineland Studbook in the U.S similar to those for the Rhineland Studbook in Germany; and 3) provide membership services for American Rhineland breeders, including inspection tours for breeding stock.

AHS’s oversight of the Rhineland Studbook offers significant benefits for current Hanoverian and Rhineland breeders, as well as opportunities for non-Hanoverian, non-Rhineland and new breeders.  These benefits are derived from the fact that the Rhineland Studbook offers more liberal breeding criteria in the inspection, approval and licensing of breeding stock than does the Hanoverian Studbook.  In addition, the Rhineland Studbook accepts breeding stock from a wider breeding population than that of the Hanoverian Studbook, recognizing most WBFSH studbook/registry members, provided certain pedigree and performance requirements are met.

Specifically, Hanoverian breeders will benefit from having increased options in their stallion choices, with the ability to use the Rhineland Studbook to register foals resulting from breeding to stallions not licensed/approved for Hanoverian breeding.  In addition, breeders with mares ineligible for approval by the Hanoverian Studbook, due to pedigree or inspection criteria, may now find those mares eligible to be approved under Rhineland Studbook criteria, with the resulting offspring eligible for registration with that studbook.  Further, since Rhineland-registered stock may meet the requirements for Hanoverian eligibility, breeders will have the additional option of registering future generations of such stock with the Hanoverian Studbook. 

For non-Hanoverian and non-Rhineland warmblood breeders, non-Hanoverian and non-Rhineland warmblood mares that have previously been accepted by another recognized registry may be eligible to be entered into the Rhineland Studbook without additional inspection.  Similarly, non-Hanoverian and non-Rhineland stallions that have been licensed by another recognized registry, and have met certain pedigree and performance requirements, may be eligible to be entered into the Rhineland Studbook without additional inspection.

Beginning with the 2016 inspection tours, the AHS will inspect breeding stock for both the Hanoverian and the Rhineland studbooks.  This provides breeders the opportunity to attend a single inspection in order to have their breeding stock considered for inclusion in either studbook.  Additionally, the Rhineland Studbook will commence registering foals based upon pedigree approval and submission of required fees.  Streamlining these processes, coupled with the benefits highlighted above, will result in significant savings of time and money for breeders.

To assist the Society in this new endeavor, the AHS has engaged Heather J. Stanley of Aiken, SC.   Ms. Stanley recently retired after 18 years as the Director of Administration for the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, and her comprehensive experience in breed association work and member services will ensure a smooth launch for the Rhineland Studbook.

AHS President Edgar Schutte, in his remarks welcoming the Rhineland Studbook and Rhineland breeders, noted, “The Rhineland breed is one with a deep rich history built by accomplished breeders who already produced top horses with lots of Hanoverian blood – stallions like Bellissimo, Florestan, Lord Loxley, Ehrentush and many others performing at international levels.  Such horses prove Rhineland’s significance on the world breeding stage.  Now, the AHS, with its office of full-time professional staff, can expand its services to those members who have horses that do not fully meet the Hanoverian pedigree, color or score requirements, as well as provide a great new option for those breeders interested in registering Rhineland offspring that may meet Hanoverian requirements in the current or future generations.  The AHS is thrilled to be part of this!”

For more information regarding the American Rhineland Studbook, please contact: Heather Stanley, AHS Rhineland Studbook Representative, at 859-629-8517 or via email at rhineland@hanoverian.org.