Each year I look forward to the publication of the Hannoverian Stallion Book, sort of a hit parade of the top of the pops when it comes to which stallions are producing the best types, the best dressage and the best jumping horses. These are calculated according to a statistical mathematical model, the BLUP animal model developed to calculate which breeding combinations are likely to produce the fattest pigs or the best milking cows - or to be precise, two models, since the Hanoverian Stallion book, lists the FN standings and their own Hanoverian standings. Let Dr Ludwig Christmann, whose 'baby' the stallion book is, explain:
“On one side there are the breed values for Hanoverian horses for dressage, jumping, type/riding horse attributes and foundation. These results are based on strictly Hanoverian data: information from Hanoverian mare performance tests, from selections for Verden's riding horse auctions as well as the results from mare inspections. On the other side there are the integrated breed values for dressage and jumping, which are calculated on behalf of the German Riding Association (FN). All relevant performance information is collected and most favourably combined. For dressage as well as for jumping there are four elements: the stallion performance test, mare tests, young sport horse classes and general competitions. These elements again breakdown into criteria like trot, canter, jumping, rideability. In this system all available data from the whole of Germany are entered.”

Left: Waikiki - the 17 hand son of Weltmeyer out of a Bolero mare.Right: Stakkato - a sensational performer but is he proving himself as a sire? Stakkato is by Spartan out of a mare by the Trakehner bred, Pygmaliion.

“This is the fourth year that such integrated breed values have been estimated. According to Dr Klaus Miesner, managing director of breeding areas at the FN (National Federation), this model has proven itself. 'Over the years the breed values are stable,' Dr Miesner explains.”
Well Dr Miesner may be happy with the results, for mine, the emphasis on the stallion's own performance can create a breeding ranking, even when the stallion has yet to produce progeny with any serious competition results. I feel more comfortable with the Hanoverian rankings which are in fact based entirely on progeny - with the advantage in the Hanoverian system that the mare tests evaluate jumping, dressage and conformation, whereas the performance test based FN rankings only give us a picture of the competition results - so if we have excellent jumping horses with dressage talent (or vice versa) this will be evident in the Hanoverian scores, but totally ignored on the FN scores which only look at the competition arena in which the progeny appear.
Let Dr Christmann explain the statistical variations of the two:
“The highest valued sires are listed in alphabetical order in the following charts, which include the Hanoverian breed values as well as the integrated breed values of the FN. Only those stallions are considered which are actually entered in the Stallion Book I of our association for the breeding season 2005 and those that are available to members of our daughter associations in other countries. The breed values are being published by different standards. The Hanoverian breed values require results of ten descendants; the integrated breed value estimation of the FN requires a certainty of at least 75 percent with at least five descendants. Especially with respect to young sires it is entirely possible that only breed values are available for one or the other system.”

Left: Waterford - the new generation of dressage sires. He is by the Weltmeyer son, Wolkenstein II out of a mare by the French Anglo Arab, Matcho, out of a mare by Pik König. He won his performance test at Adelheidsdorf with a score of 149.94. Right: Don Schufro is the highest ranked son of Donnerhall, out of a Pik Bube mare. He stands at the Blue Hors Stud in Denmark

Not surprisingly, Ludwig is delighted with the emergence of a new young stallion star:
“It is always of great interest to view the results of new entries, whose breed values are published for the first time. Waterford had a magnificent entry. In 1998 he was the champion at the Hanoverian stallion approval. The following year he won the stallion performance test with high scores. His high total breed value for dressage benefited from his excellent performance test result. With a score of 163 and a certainty of 85 percent he placed third out of all valued stallions in Germany. In his breed value for the stallion performance test only the stallion Don Schufro surpassed him. In the Hanoverian breed value estimation Celle's state stud sire Waterford was graded excellently with a score of 148. 25 offspring from his first three-year old vintage were already evaluated under saddle including thirteen, which were presented at pre-selections for Verden's auction program.”
And just to prove that Ludwig is not entirely focussed on Hanover, one of Oldenburg's most exciting youngsters gets a similar accolade:
“Rubin Royal, a very popular son of Rohdiamant, was one of the debutants in the breed value estimation of the FN; he has, however, not yet a Hanoverian breed value. In addition to his own performance record from participation at the performance test and at horse shows, he has a performance-tested son and four performance tested daughters. With a score of 157 (certainty 81 percent) in dressage he placed very high in the integrated breed value estimation. Certain deviations are to be expected with the increase of descendants.”
Several years ago, I saw the most magnificent young son of Weltmeyer, competing in a Bundeschampionate qualifier at Verden. He was slightly (I mean very slightly) wayward in his work, and was immediately withdrawn from Warendorf contention and seemed to have disappeared into the cavernous vaults of the State Stud at Celle. It's nice to see him making his mark:
“The sire Waikiki by Weltmeyer/Bolero also had an excellent entry. His dressage breed value from the FN - 153 points with a reliability of 80% - is mainly based on his excellent performance test results and the evaluation of fourteen daughters at mare tests. According to the Hanoverian breed value estimation he received 136 points, an excellent outcome. The results of the evaluation of five additional descendants were also considered for this estimation, when they participated at a selection for Verden's riding horse auction program.”
Another interesting newcomer - and one that has been offered on the Australian market, is Dacaprio:
“At his first attempt Dacaprio by Davignon entered the top group. After all 27 descendants were evaluated under saddle at pre-selection sites for Verden's auction program or at mare tests. They provided for the excellent breed value of 145. In the integrated breed value estimation of the National Federation he received 138 points in dressage with a certainty of 87 percent, an excellent result. These outstanding results corroborate his success at this year's Bundeschampionate of German Riding Horses, where his son Déjà Vu out of a dam by Glueckspilz earned the championship title in the division for four-year old geldings and mares.”
“It is remarkable that meanwhile the sire Contendro made a name for himself in dressage. He received his high breed value of 138 points (76%) not only because of his own excellent performance test results but also because of his approved and tested son and his five daughters from his first breeding season in Holstein.”
“Two other sires also had their debut as members of the top group in the breed value estimations, Frenchman by Falkland (integrated breed value estimation 136, 80%, Hanoverian breed value estimation 125) and the Trakehner Bundeschampion Latimer by St. Cloud, FN-breed value estimation 147, 97%, did not fulfil the requirements for publication in the Hanoverian breed value estimation.”
Each year when the FN values are published, my friends at Zangersheide, who publish the excellent Z Magazine, get rightly outraged that a stallion like Carthago Z should regularly be headed on the stallion rankings by Stakkato, a horse that has yet to produce an international competitor, although they seem to be mellowing to the point of conceding that Stakkato does seem to be showing promise as a sire. My very good friend, Ludwig, has no such qualms:
“The jumper miracle Stakkato heads the top group of jumper horse producers in the integrated breed value estimation of the National Federation as well as in the Hanoverian breed value estimation (breed value 164 points, 92%). The excellent evaluations of his daughters and sons in their respective performance tests are the reason for the outstanding outcome. He also belongs to the top group nationwide in his sub-breed values for young horse classes (143) and horse show results (135).”
“There are a few interesting additions in the group of jumping horses, which will be available to Hanoverian breeders for the first time in the upcoming breeding season. For instance Askari, a just seven-year old Holstein son of Accord II, received 152 points (76%) in the integrated breed value estimation of the National Federation. In addition to his performance at the stallion test and on horse shows, the results of six performance-tested mares were recorded.”
“In the jumper division, Concetto by Contender earned a breed value of 139 points (77%). So far five daughters have been performance-tested. Couleur-Rubin by Cordalme, competed by Ludger Beerbaum in Oldenburg, already has a number of successful descendants in competition. With his first integrated breed value of 154 points in jumping he is one of the highest valued stallions nationwide. However, with a certainty of 75%, the breed value is not very secured. The top producers Caretino (Holstein), Darco (Belgium) and For Pleasure have similar breed values but with better certainty.”
“Since no application to be accepted into the Hanoverian breeding Book I for 2005 was filed, For Pleasure's son, For Feeling is not listed in the chart, even though the performance results of three tested sons and four of his daughters contributed towards his very good breed value of 139 in jumping. His above average breed value of 119 in dressage is not to be sneezed at either! Two additional For Pleasure sons just made the publication limit for the breed value estimation of the FN: Forrester breed value 148, 75%) and Forsyth (breed value 143, 75%). The colourful chestnut stallion, which competed so incredibly successfully under Markus Ehning and Lars Nieberg has become a living legend. His offspring appear to step into his shoes not only in competition but also in breeding. We only hope that For Pleasure's valuable genes will get a chance to spread widely throughout the Hanoverian breed.”
“Adlantus As is the only up and coming jumper producer to fulfil the requirements for publication in the Hanoverian Yearbook of Stallions. He obtained the excellent jumper breed value estimation of 154 points. In the integrated breed value estimation of the National Federation he was estimated at 137 points. Some of his offspring already participate on the jumper show circuit. The Hanoverian committee evaluated eleven descendants, six of them for participation in Verden's auction program. Very obviously he does not produce type, which breeders must consider.”
However before you get carried away and succumb to the temptation to 'breed by numbers', Dr Christmann sounds a warning note: “When selecting a sire, a breeder should not only consider the extent of the breed value, but also review all sires, which were ranked way above average. Other criteria should have an influence on the decision making process, for instance type or foundation. After all, it is important to find a suitable sire for the individual mare. Breed values are an aid, but no guarantee.”
And so say all of us!