In order to register foals Hanoverian or Rhineland, all mares must be classified in person or via video.
If your mare was registered Hanoverian or Rhineland as a foal, she can be classified from 3yo to enter into the appropriate studbook. Application for classification can be found here.
If you have an imported mare or a mare registered with another European breed society such as Oldenburg, KWPN, etc and she has already been classified into one of their studbooks, she may be eligible for direct admission to the HHSA Hanoverian or Rhineland studbook without inspection. If she has not been classified, HHSA can do that on the annual Tour. Find out more here.
If you have a mare that is registered with ACE or AWHA and has been classified into a main studbook, she may also qualify for direct admission into the HHSA Hanoverian or Rhineland studbook without inspection. Pedigree, scoring, and DNA requirements still must be met. If she has not been classified yet, this can be also done on the annual Tour if other requirements are met. Find out more here.
HHSA Mare Studbooks
Hanoverian: Main Studbook, Studbook
Rhineland: Main Studbook, Studbook, and Pre-Studbook
1. Main Studbook (Hauptstutbuch)
This is the highest level and the aim for most breeders.
- Requires a minimum of four generations of approved warmblood or Thoroughbred pedigree
- Mare must be presented for in-person classification and meet the minimum score requirements for conformation, movement, and type
- Mares in this book are eligible to produce fully registered Hanoverian or Rhineland foals (when bred to an approved stallion)
- Only Main Studbook mares classified by the HHSA are eligible for Premium Mare titles
This is the standard for producing foals with full Hanoverian registration.
2. Studbook (Stutbuch)
A level below the Main Studbook.
- For mares with incomplete or partially unapproved warmblood or Thoroughbred pedigrees
- For example
- May also include mares that did not meet the score thresholds for the Main Studbook at classification
- These mares can produce registered foals, but with more limited options or conditions for registration
Often used as a starting point to improve the mare line over generations.
3. Pre-Studbook (Rhineland only)
Designed for mares with gaps in the classification or licensing of ancestors.
- Must still meet certain pedigree and DNA requirements
- Must be classified
- Eligible to produce Rhineland foals in most cases
This book allows a pathway into the system, and with a qualifying pedigree may provide access to Rhineland and then Hanoverian registration after several generations of studbook Rhineland breeding
If you’re unsure where your mare fits, the HHSA offers pedigree pre-checks and hosts an annual Classification Tour with official inspectors from the Hannoveraner Verband.