The Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Henning Schmidt, led through a traditionally large program on Monday afternoon, April 24, in the Niedersachsenhalle in Verden, after the Regional Assemblies had been used in the preceding weeks to discuss proposals for strategic adjustments in preparation. The Hannoveraner Verband has positioned itself to meet the current and future expectations of the various breeder focuses and is also focusing on more intensive support for new members. Thus, the breeding events and the breeding program will be more open, there will be more individual possibilities for the breeders. With all the liberal ideas, the trade mark Hannoveraner should not decrease and so the selection should not be left out - but this without excluding breeding ideas. The Hannoveraner Verband would like to achieve this by offering a wider range of information about the horses, e.g. about stallions with a positive approval or recognition. The Delegates followed the proposals of the Breeding Committee in all points with great approval. The revision of the Verband's orientation also included the vote on opening the main licensing to stallions of populations other than Hannoveraner and Rhinelander. The pros and cons of this previously internal breeding event testified to the Delegates' sense of responsibility and the heartfelt importance of this event to the Verband's members. In November (dressage) and December (show jumping) 2023, the Hannoveraner licensing and Stallion Sales will be open to other riding horse populations. In the end, those responsible can rely on more than clear support from the Delegates on this issue as well.
The votes were preceded by a positive, intensive discussion, in the run-up to which the Chairman Dr. Hinni Lührs-Behnke, the Breeding Manager Ulrich Hahne and the Managing Director Wilken Treu presented past and planned projects. These included the Hannoveraner Verband joining the IAFH (International Association for Future Horse Breeding). In 2022, the Hannoveraner Verband acquired a shareholder interest in order to work together with other breeding societies in the area of research and development. In particular, the breeding target area of health is to benefit from this. The deliberate investment had a considerable impact on the past annual result, which was also characterized by reduced fee income from sales and showed a six-digit annual deficit for 2022. Coupled with a cost-oriented annual plan for 2023, the Delegates followed the financial plan and voted to discharge the Supervisory Board, the Board and the Management.
In the regions, the Hannoveraner Verband is represented by more than 80 horse breeding clubs, where the basic work takes place. Traditionally, long-time volunteers from the breeding clubs are honored for their commitment at the Delegates' Assembly. Also this year the 115 present delegates paid their respect to their colleagues with long applause. Hergen Forkert and Matthias Grupe, who were confirmed in their positions as Board Member Jumping and Supervisory Board Member respectively, will continue to be involved in an honorary capacity.