Have you ever wanted to learn more about the Hanoverian horse? In response to membership inquiries, the American Hanoverian Society (AHS) is currently developing a Breed Orientation Seminar that will tentatively be held November 3-6, 2009, in the Sacramento, CA, area. In order to test the financial viability of this developmental program, the AHS needs to gauge the level of interest in such a seminar. The seminar requires a minimum of attendees and is open to the AHS membership and others with an interest in warmblood breeding.

The AHS Breed Orientation Seminar will cover the same topics as the Hannoveraner Verband's (HV) well-established Breed Orientation Course. It will however be modified to reflect AHS goals and breeding stock and will also include a consideration of the unique challenges of breeding Hanoverians on this continent. The first German course was organized in 1986 and has proven to be an excellent opportunity to get friends and breeders of the Hanoverian horse acquainted with the HV's breeding program and methods of selection. It is not by chance that the Hanoverian studbook is perennially ranked first in World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) rankings, and the AHS's proposed Breed Orientation Seminar will address this and other topics such as:

• History of the Hanoverian horse, the breeding aim, selection and breeding rules
• Theory for evaluating horses, including description of traits, both desirable and not desirable
• Practical judging of horses in-hand, under saddle, basic gaits, and free jumping
• The Hanoverian show jumper; the role of the Jumper Breeding Program
• A thorough discussion of bloodlines, new and old

We are pleased to announce that this proposed seminar will be conducted by Dr. Ludwig Christmann, the HV's director of International Affairs, Development and Education. Dr. Christmann is a long-time friend of the American Hanoverian Society and has been a frequent visitor to the United States in connection with the AHS's annual inspection tour and annual membership meeting. He is widely recognized as one of the world's leading experts on the Hanoverian breed.

Each day will begin with an informative classroom lecture followed by lunch, then a visit to two breeding farms. The AHS is pleased to have gained the support and participation of many of the leading Hanoverian breeding establishments in the Sacramento area.

The fee for this four-day course will be approximately $400 for AHS members and $485 for non-members, in addition to your own travel and hotel expenses. A welcome dinner and daily lunches will be included. In order to ascertain the level of interest in this proposed program we would appreciate your contacting the AHS office by July 15, 2009. The office number is (859) 255-4141, the fax is (859) 255-8467, or you may e-mail [email protected].