Trot, walk and the mare's conformation are assessed during the studbook inspection. Additionally, jumping mares can be evaluated in free jumping. Mares of other riding horse breeds can also be entered in the Hannoveraner Studbook. Studbook inspections take place during mare performance tests, mare shows, appointments at home or via video inspection. The appointments are offered throughout Germany and in many countries worldwide.
Studbook inspection abroad
The Hannoveraner Verband is also active abroad. In addition to the EU member states Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden, the Hannoveraner Verband also conducts its breeding program in the contracting states Switzerland and Norway and the third country states Russia, Canada, South Africa and Ukraine. Foal registrations and studbook inspections are possible in the listed countries.
For most countries there are scheduled events and registration trips (listed below). Appointments in other countries are possible, please contact Bo Eitenmüller (Tel.: +49 (0)4231-673744, E-Mail: beitenmüller(ät)hannoveraner.com).
Studbook inspection in Germany
Registrations for the dates should be made four weeks in advance to the listed contact addresses, preferably by e-mail.
- Each newly registered mare will be listed as an active broodmare and assessed for the following year's fee if no written cancellation is received prior to that date, no later than December 30 of that year.
- The regulations of the breeding programs apply.
Here you can find the dates for the mare shows and studbook inspections
Here you can find the registration form for studbook inspections

Studbook divisions
For entry into the Main Studbook or the Studbook, there are certain conditions when it comes to pedigree, conformation and basic gaits. There are three different divisions of the studbook:
- Main Studbook (symbol H)
Evidence for four generations of approved ancestors has to be provided to enter a mare into this division of the studbook (Hannoveraner Studbook). The dam of the mare has to be registered in the Main Studbook or in the Studbook. The mares have to achieve an overall score of at least 6.0 for conformation and gaits and each of the partial scores that are essential for the registration, have to be at least 5.0 and better.
- Studbook (symbol S)
Evidence for three approved generations of approved ancestors has to be provided to enter a mare into this division of the studbook, and the dam must have been either a Main Studbook, Studbook or a Annex mare. The mare has to achieve an overall score of at least 5.0 at the studbook inspection. She has to achieve at a score of 4.0 for each of the six partial scores. - Annex (symbol A)
For the entry in the appendix, a pedigree certificate or a certificate of birth must be available. The mare has to achieve an overall score of at least 5.0 at studbook inspection. She has to achieve at a score of 4.0 for each of the six partial scores.
For the entry in one of the three divisions (Main Studbook, Studbook, Annex) in the studbook of the Rhineland Horse, partly lower requirements apply regarding the pedigree. In addition, a Pre-Book is kept in the Rhineland Horse Studbook. There, mares can be entered that do not meet the pedigree requirements for one of the other studbooks, but are of the German Riding Horse type.
Schedule of a Studbook inspection at a mare show
The mares are presented to the judges in-hand while standing (conformation evaluation), on the triangle in trot (evaluation of trot and correctness of the gait) and in a small group while walking (evaluation of the walk). After the walk presentation, the inspection result will be announced. Here are our recommendations for a smooth performance: We suggest practicing standing for the conformation evaluation and presenting the mare in trot and walk beforehand. In order to allow the mare to show her qualities in both gaits in the best possible way, she should move as independently as possible from the handler, who sometimes has to run fast next to her. It goes without saying that the mare has to be in a perfect feeding condition with shiny coat which reveals an excellent general condition and state of health, as well as well-maintained hooves. It is also a common practice to have the mare’s mane plaited. Before the mare is presented, please contact the officials at the inspection location who are responsible for the schedule.
Scores
The Studbook Inspection Commission awards scores from 1 (very bad) to 10 (excellent). Only whole scores are given. The total score is based on the individual scores for the conformation.
The following criteria are evaluated:
- Head
- Neck
- Saddle position
- Frame
- Forelegs
- Hind legs
These criteria are combined in a score "quality conformation". However, this does not have to be the arithmetical mean of the individual scores mentioned above, as the individual criteria can be weighted differently.
From the scores for
- breed and sex type
- quality of conformation
- correctness of gaits
- impulsion and elasticity (trot)
- overall impression and development
The scores for breed and sex type result in the "total score", which is the average of these scores and rounded up or down to a whole score. The exhibitor receives the individual scores following the studbook inspection when he receives the horse passport.
Tanja Coors
Membership administration, tour planning international for foal registrations and studbook inspections
Do you have questions about the mare show, studbook inspection or mare performance test? We will be happy to help you.