At the mare show, three-, four- and five-year-old mares of particularly high quality are nominated as a Hannoveraner Premium Candidate. The shows are often the highlight of the horse breeding clubs and provide an overall view of the quality of the horses bred in that particular area. Some mare shows are well-known beyond regional and national borders. The mares are entered in one of the Verband's studbooks at a mare show.
Mare shows
A showcase of breeding are the mare shows, which are organized and hosted by the breeding clubs. At the mare show, conformation as well as walk and trot in hand are judged on the triangle. On the recommendation of the Board, the mares can additionally be shown on hard ground (evaluation of the correctness of the limbs), as well as judged in free-running (evaluation of the canter).
At the mare show, candidacies for the Hannoveraner Premium are awarded to three-, four- and five-year-old mares of particularly high quality. Five-year-old mares can only receive the candidacy if they have already passed a mare performance test at the time of the mare show. For jumping mares, free jumping may also be offered, since a free jumping evaluation must be available to receive the Hannoveraner Candidacy. Jumping mares that have already been evaluated at a mare performance test or free jumping competition may be shown free jumping at the mare show, but are not required to do so.
Class division
The mares are classified in five different show classes:
- Two year olds eligible for entry into the main studbook based on their pedigree
- Three year old main studbook mares
- I division with mare performance test result
- II division without mare performance test result
- Four year old main studbook mares
- Five-year-old main studbook mares and six-year-old main studbook mares that already have a live-born foal registered with the Hannoveraner Verband.
- Mare families
- Mother with two daughters
- Generation sequence (grandmother, mother, daughter)
- Three daughters of one mother
Three-year-old and elder mares are only entitled to compete at mare shows if they were already entered into the Main Studbook or if they are scheduled to be entered at least during the mare show. Bigger mare shows sometimes offer mixed-age special classes for show jumping and halfbred mares.
Schedule
The mares are presented in trot on the triangular similar to the studbook inspection and should be prepared accordingly. The conformation is also evaluated. On the recommendation of the Board, the mares can additionally be shown on hard ground (evaluation of the correctness of the limbs), as well as judged in free-running (evaluation of the canter). The following walk presentation in groups is meant to compare and to rate the mares.
No scores are awarded, the mares are only divided in two premium groups (Ia or I).Then, the mares are commented by a member of the commission. The best mares of the individual classes compete for the title “Show Winner”.
Herwart von der Decken-Show
The Herwart von der Decken show is the Verband's annual main mare show and is the highlight of the show season. The free jumping under the open sky for the jumping mares is the specialty of this show event. The best three-year-old Hannoveraner and Rhinelander premium candidate mares meet in Verden during the first week of August to crown the best of their crop. Prizes will be awarded to:
- Champion mare dressage
- Reserve champion mare dressage
- Champion mare show jumping
- Reserve champion mare jumping
- Best halfbred mare
Every four years, mare families are also exhibited. The best family is honored with the Herwart von der Decken Prize.
The Herwart von der Decken-Show has become more and more important in the last few years and is meanwhile visited by international guests, too. It has been named after the long-time chairman of the Hannoveraner Verband, Herwart von der Decken.
The Herwart von der Decken-Show 2024 will take place on August 8th in Verden.
Tanja Coors
Membership administration, tour planning international for foal registrations and studbook inspections
Do you have questions about the mare show, studbbook inspection or mare performance test? We will be happy to help you.