• This breed orignated in the Hanover and Lower Saxony districts in northwest Germany

• Selective breeding began in 1735, when George II, Elector of Hanover and King of England, founded the Celle stud

• Holstein stallions crossed with native mares descended from the Great War Horse of the Middle Ages, produced agricultural and coach horses

• More creed crossing continued with Thoroughbred, Cleveland Bays and Andalusians

• In 1867 the breed society formed to produce a horse suited to coach and military

• After World War I, the society's aims changed to produce a good horse for general farm work, coach and riding

• With this change in aim came the rule that all stallions were to be tested for speed, strength and endurance before being allowed to breed

• World War II came and went and the breed society once again re-stated its aims to meet the needs of the time. This time the focus was to produce a riding horse of superior performance

• Thoroughbred, Trakehner and Arab blood has fine tuned the Hanoverian into a top class, athletic, strong, good tempered riding and competition horse

• This breed has strong well muscled legs and tough hooves

• Its head is well proportioned and the neck and back are long

• A very athletic horse with an intelligent, sensible but bold personality.

• Colors: all solid, chestnut, brown, black, gray, white markings frequent

• Height is around 16.2 hands high

• Popular Uses: Competition, general riding, dressage, show jumping, hunting, eventing, harness