Hanoverian horses: Character, breeding and special features of the popular horse breed

Hanoverian profile

Breed: Hanoverian
Type: Warmblood
Country of origin: Germany
Main breeding area: Lower Saxony, Germany
Life expectancy: 20-35 years
Physique and conformation: The Hanoverian is a modern sport horse in rectangular format

• height: between 160 - 185cm
• Weight approx. 650kg
• Large-framed and rectangular build with strong and long legs
• Harmonious topline with harmonious proportions
• An equally strong, robust and elegant appearance
• Noble head with big and alert eyes
• Long arched neck, which tapers narrowly towards the head
• Different types are possible, from blood marked eventing horses to stable jumpers and large framed dressage horses

Character of the Hanoverian

The Hanoverian has a very balanced, strong-nerved and sociable temperament. Horses of this breed have a high willingness to perform and impress with their high intelligence, both at the jump and in the dressage arena. As a former military horse, the Hanoverian still shows its courageous, fearless and attentive demeanor. However, the sensitive side of these warmbloods should not be ignored.

Movement sequence of the Hanoverian

The gaits of a Friesian should preferably be graceful and elegant. His long and sloping shoulders allow a wide reach and his long back in combination with a muscular croup and a well-set neck allow sweeping and dynamic movements.

Colors of the Hanoverian

Hanoverians usually come in the colors bay, black, chestnut and grey. The mane and tail of these horses are well developed and white markings on the head and legs are permitted.

Brand Hanoverian

The Hanoverian horse brand consists of the capital letter H, which ends in two horse heads at the upper ends.

Areas of application of the Hanoverian

The Hanoverian's main areas of use are dressage, show jumping and eventing. However, thanks to their courage and enormous strength of nerve, these horses can also be used for driving or hunting. These sociable partners are also very popular in the leisure sector.

Health of the Hanoverian

Breed-related hereditary diseases are not known in the Hanoverian breed. However, the Hanoverian Breeding Association also attaches great importance to the careful selection of mares and stallions approved for breeding. A current example is the cooperation with the IAFH (International Association of Future Horse Breeding GmbH & Co KG). In this project, studies are being developed to detect the hereditary disease PSSM 2 at an early stage with the help of a DNA test so that the affected horses are not approved for breeding in the first place. 

Price of a Hanoverian

As with all horse purchasesthe price is of course based on various criteria such as age, pedigree, training and health. However, due to their outstanding performance in top sport, the price for a Hanoverian can be quite high. The Hanoverian Breeding Association organizes up to eight auctions a year on its premises in Verden, where around 900 foals, broodmares and stallions as well as leisure horses are sold. The most expensive horse sold to date was purchased at auction for 2.1 million euros.
Here you can find tips on how to find the horse that suits you.

Well-known Hanoverians in international equestrian sport

Due to their diversity, numerous Hanoverians can be found in the rankings of international equestrian events. In total, Hanoverians have won a gold medal in over 25 Olympic competitions. It is therefore not surprising that this breed is the most numerous warmblood breed in Europe.

Hanoverian in international dressage

Gigolo FRH *1983 - † September 22, 2009
Successes: Olympic Gold in the individual classification, 2x Olympic Silver, 2x World Champion, 4x European Champion and 4x German Champion
Rider: Isabell Werth‍

Bonaparte 67 *19. April 1993
Successes: 2x Olympic Gold in the team classification, World Champion in the team classification
Rider: Heike Kemmer

Salinero *06. May 1994
Successes: Olympic Gold in the individual classification, World Champion, 4x World Cup Winner, 3x European Champion
Rider: Anky van Grunsven

Desperados FRH *02. June 2001
Successes: Olympic Gold in the team classification, Olympic Silver in the team classification, World Champion in the team classification, European Champion in the team classification, 2x German Champion
Rider: Kristina Bröring-Sprehe

Showtime 59 *February 14, 2006
Successes: 2x Olympic Gold in the team classification, European Champion in the team classification, German Champion
Rider: Dorothee Schneider

Hanoverian in international show jumping

Deister *1971 - †2000
Successes: 3x European Champion and 5x German Champion
Rider: Paul Schockemöhle 

Ratina Z *1982 - † 2010
Successes: 2x Olympic gold in the team classification, World Cup winner, World Champion in the team classification, 2x European Champion
Rider: Ludger Beerbaum

For Pleasure *1986 - † February 2011
Successes: Olympic gold in the team classification, 2x European champion in the team classification
Riders: Marcus Ehning and Lars Nieberg

E.T. FRH *1987 - † January 2013
Successes: Hamburg Derby winner, 2x World Cup winner
Rider: Hugo Simon

Goldfever ‍*06 May 1991
Successes: Olympic gold in the team classification, European champion in the team classification
Rider: Ludger Beerbaum

Shutterfly *January 14, 1993 - † January 28, 2023
Successes: 3x World Cup winner and European Champion
Rider: Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum

Checkmate *10 March 1995
Successes: World Champion in the team classification and European Champion in the team classification
Rider: Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum

Hanoverian in international eventing

FRH Butts Abraxxas *22 May 1997- † 2022
Successes: 2x Olympic gold in the team classification, and European champion in the team classification
Rider: Ingrid Klimke

FRH Escada JS *05. March 2004
Successes: World Champion in the team classification and European Champion in the team classification
Rider: Ingrid Klimke

Breeding - Hannoveraner Verband 

Hanoverian horses are among the most important horse breeds in the world. Especially as competitive athletes, these horses show their outstanding performance in the stadiums of the world. The breed has already produced numerous Olympic champions, and world and European champions. But the Hanoverian has also gained a foothold in the leisure sector and it is impossible to imagine life without it. The breeding history of this breed goes back to 1735. In that year, the first Hanoverians were bred at the Celle State Stud. To this day, the state stud has a leading function. Initially, the still rather stocky horses served in agriculture in front of the carriage. However, by crossing in Thoroughbreds and Trakehners for refinement, they quickly developed into the modern sport horse breed we still know today.

The Hanoverian Association has made it its business to maintain this top position in breeding and sport and, in addition, to exert a significant influence on other riding horse breeds. 

But this is not possible without a consistently implemented breeding program, in which strict selection measures are applied. The breeding goal is to produce ideal performance and leisure horses. Because of this, Hanoverian breeding requires a focus on the disciplines of dressage, jumping, and eventing. In the breeding of jumping horses, only jumping lines and suitable breeders are used. In the breeding of dressage horses, dressage lines should be used. However, there is also the possibility to use suitable jumping lines. Special attention is paid to the quality of the back construction in Hanoverians. Only horses with an energetic drive over a powerful and loose back are approved for later breeding.

Therefore, only those horses can call themselves Hanoverians that meet the guidelines of the association and are registered as Hanoverians in their studbooks. 

Outstanding breeding stallions

Dressage horse sires 

Weltmeyer ‍

‍ * February 14, 1984 - † 2011
Father: World Cup I
MV: Heel
MMV: Sender
Breeder: State Stud Celle

Weltmeyer is still considered one of the most successful sires in Hanoverian breeding. In 1986, he was the winner of the licensing and achieved a breeding value of 144 at the stallion performance test. In 1987, he was the national champion among three-year-old riding horses and in 1998 he was named Hanoverian Stallion of the Year. A total of 86 of his sons have been licensed for the Hanoverian Verband and 445 of his daughters have received a State Premium. This brings a progeny lifetime earnings total of more than 2.3 million. 2200 of his offspring have been registered as spot horses, of which 400 are successful up to medium (M) level and 175 even up to advanced (S) level. Among his most famous offspring is Wolkentanz.

Jumper sire

Argelith staccato ‍

*1993
Father: Spartan
MV: Pygmalion DP
MMV: Patras
Breeder: August Meyer

Born in 1993, the exceptional stallion Stakkato was licensed for the Hanoverian Verband in Verden in 1995. Stakkato passed his stallion performance test in the same year with the best jumping index of 144 points. In 1998 he finally became Bundeschampion of German show jumpers. Numerous international successes followed, such as numerous participations in Nations Cups and the title of German Champion. In 2007 he was awarded the title Hanoverian Stallion of the Year. A total of 73 of his sons were licensed for the Hanoverian Association and 96 of his daughters received a state premium.

Purchase of a Hanoverian

The first point of contact to acquire a Hanoverian could be one of the regularly held auctions in Verden. Auctions are held every two months on the grounds of the Hanoverian Association, where selected riding horses for the disciplines of dressage, jumping, eventing and leisure are presented. These auctions will take place live on-site as well as online to give bidders from all over the world the opportunity to bid for a Hanoverian.

All horses sold at such an auction for sale have previously participated in a selection meeting and was judged there as suitable. Which means that only the highest quality horses are admitted to the auction. In this way, the Hanoverian Association wants to guarantee that only the best horses are used for breeding and competitive sport. 

Hanoverians for recreational use can be purchased for a price between 3,000 and 10,000€ depending on pedigree and training. Horses for competitive sport or with a particularly good pedigree for breeding have a much higher price. At the auctions, Hanoverians have also been sold for more than €1 million. In 2018, for example, one of the premium stallions at the Hanoverian licensing was bought at auction for €2.1 million.

Holding Hanoverians correctly

When keeping Hanoverians, the same principles of principles of species-appropriate horse keepingas for all other horse breeds. 

It is important to consider the individual needs of the horse. There should be plenty of fresh air with low dust and pesticide exposure. Since Hanoverians are bred primarily for sport, adequate exercise should be provided. Both physically and mentally. In addition, the secured social contact with other conspecifics. 

When feeding Hanoverians, it should be noted that they are very frugal and light feeders. Therefore, they tend to be overweight when fed too much concentrated feed.

Therefore, above all, sufficient roughage of good quality should be available.