Back to News Stud Book Classifiers Training Day July 13, 2009 by Robin Potter – President/Admin. Officer It was decided at the AGM last November to make a more concerted effort with the Studbook – to encourage breeders to have their mares inspected in an effort to keep the breeding aim on the right track – and to help mare owners make the best choices when using mares for breeding. This is one are where we have been lacking qualified people to do the job. In March we had the opportunity to attend the Hanoverian Grand Parade in South Auckland where mares were inspected for the Hanoverian Mare Studbook in front of the Verband visitor, Dr Jochen Wilkens – the retired breeding manager for the Hanoverian Verband. Five people from the North Island and four from the South Island gathered with some study resources provided earlier in the week – with Heike McLean as overseer/educator – in front of the triangle to judge each mare and afterwards hear the summation from Dr Wilkens. The general feeling was very positive – that they were able to see some very nice types of mares and get a good impression of what standard is required going forward. Thanks to Anne Marie Morgan, Rosalie Pedersen. Jeannette Russell, Craig Sharp, Rosemary Sharp, Jeanne Calvert, Michelle Zielazo, Catherine Davidson and Cathy de Vries for making time to attend this very important learning experience and for Heike McLean for her valuable contribution – imparting her knowledge and experience to the trainees.