In a major new initiative, the American Hanoverian Society (AHS) is pleased to announce a new foal life recording partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). The USEF, which serves as the National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport in the U.S., licenses equestrian competitions of all levels across the United States each year and maintains the points and standings for the annual USEF Horse of the Year (HOTY) Awards in its comprehensive database. Through cooperative efforts this partnership will showcase and promote the AHS and the Hanoverian breed.

In agreement with the USEF, AHS registered foals, beginning with the foal crop of 2009, will automatically become USEF life recorded as part of the regular $185 AHS registration fee. The AHS is pleased to offer this added value (normally up to a $200 fee) to our membership at no additional cost. This partnership between the AHS and USEF will allow both organizations access to accurate data for both pedigree and performance. The AHS will provide USEF with full breeding data on each foal and, in return, the USEF will provide the AHS with a USEF Life Recording number for each foal that will be noted on AHS registration papers. In addition, the owner will also receive a Life Recording Certificate from the USEF.

This new program will provide added value and service for the AHS membership and greater recognition of its breed along with accurate performance records. In addition to the value added to each foal by having the USEF number printed on AHS registration certificates, all American-bred foals going forward will automatically be enrolled in the new American Performance Horse (APH) book of the Performance Horse Registry. The APH promotes American-bred horses by recognizing them with their breed logo and the American flag on all Horse of the Year (HOTY) standings. There will also be an APH standing and year-end awards that recognize only American-bred horses. With the use of the AHS logo on each Hanoverian horse that is recorded, anyone will be able to click on the logo and be linked to the American Hanoverian Society website to learn more about the Hanoverian breed and membership in the society.

In order to implement this program with the current foal crop, the AHS will defer issuing 2009 foal registrations for a short time until the society's database is modified to permit the printing of new USEF numbers on the registration papers.

In announcing this important new program, AHS President Doug Leatherdale stated, "AHS has long taken a leadership role in tying performance to pedigree in this country. In 2001, we were the first North American breed registry to introduce the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses' (WBFSH) 15-digit Universal Equine Life Number (UELN); we played a major role in the introduction of lifetime declaration for horses competing for United States Dressage Federation All Breeds Awards; and now, with this partnership with USEF, the American Hanoverian Society has taken a bold new step that will eventually lead to the further recognition of the many top Hanoverians being bred on this continent. Of course I am delighted that this new added benefit is being provided at no additional cost to our membership."

Executive Director Hugh Bellis-Jones added, "We look forward to developing this mutually beneficial working relationship with USEF, our neighbor at the Kentucky Horse Park's National Horse Center. In what can only be considered a win-win situation, each organization has a great deal to gain from this partnership."

For further information on the new USEF/AHS foal recording partnership, please contact the AHS central office at (859) 255-4141 or [email protected].