- by Kerstin Aronis for Eurodressage
After years of squabbles, disputes and public mud battles in the social media, a new, fresh and transparent wind is now blowing through the Hanoverian Breed Society (Hannoveraner Verband).
After a nine-hour marathon of the delegates' meeting, which was presented to all members via livestream, the new association leaders have been elected. The new president is the 48-year-old Dr. Hinni Lührs- Behnke, whom the majority of the breeders wanted. With over 50% he was elected by the delegates compared to the other three candidates.
After his election he emphasized: "The heart of the association are the breeders".
Structural Reform
Many breeders had missed this in the years before and they did not feel "picked up" anymore. They called for more transparency, involvement in decisions and to cut back on old rope teams.
The previous president Hans-Henning von der Decken heard the breeders and put the structural reform to the vote, which was approved by a large majority of the delegates.
A structural commission was founded to dissolve the encrusted association structure and to lead it into the future in a leaner and more modern way. An Internet forum was also founded "by members for members".
Transparent Discussion with the Members
Never before in the history of the association, has there been such an open and direct discussion and exchange of ideas with the members by the breeding management and executive board.
The candidates were able to introduce themselves personally, answer individual questions and submit an application video.
On election day all candidates had the opportunity to introduce themselves personally within five minutes. Whether for the position as association president, the different departments of the executive committee, chairman of the supervisory board, or the breeding committee.
Probably the biggest surprise was the election of Mrs. Ernestine Zwingmann as chairwoman of the supervisory board. She herself said after the election: "my greatest strength is that I can look at the edge of my plate from the outside and want only the best for the system".
Old pigtails were mercilessly cut off and the delegates heard the members.
End the Trench Warfare
Many members were tired of the publicly initiated trench warfare, scandals and made scandals and made their further membership in the association dependent on the election within the assembly of delegates. Again the horse should be in the center of attention and the values around the Hanoverian horse.
The delegates did not discharge the former managing director Dr. Schade and the board for the year 2019 during the vote. This means that they reserve the right to claim damages which could arise from the case of the stallion "Dario".
"We-Feeling"
There are still some old burdens to be settled in the future for the new association management and a lot of work has to be done for the future.
But the "we-feeling" is blowing again and the "I-feeling" is history. And as the newly elected president Dr. Hinni Lührs-Behnke said after nine long hours in his inaugural speech: "It is time again that we talk to each other instead of about each other. "
by Kerstin Aronis
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In Summary: Newly Elected Delegates
After the structural reform, several association committees were newly created. In the nine and a half hour session marathon in the Niedersachsenhalle, Carsten Leopold, Bassum, was elected deputy president. He had previously been elected to the four-member presidium for the areas of finance, law and personnel. Harald Thelker, Venne, was elected for the field of loyalty to / of breeders. Matthias Klatt, Hahausen, will take over the dressage area in the Presidium. The jumping part will be managed by Hergen Forkert. The delegates also elected Dieter Meyer, Verden, for the Marketing division.
Besides the chairwoman, Ernestine Zwingmann, further members of the five-member Supervisory Board, whose main tasks are to advise and supervise the Presidium, will be Hendrik Hüsker, Syke-Wachendorf, as Deputy Chairman, as well as Matthias Bug, Petersberg, Achim Schacke, Wittingen, and Matthias Grupe, Groß Sisbeck.
Stefan Blanken, Hepstedt, and Anja Rietbrock, Sottrum, were elected to the Dressage Breeding Committee. Heide Peters, Hammah, and Oliver Ross, Thedinghausen, form the Show Jumping Breeding Committee. Iris Schless, Kevelaer, and Ulrike Edel-Heidhues, Bad Harzburg, focus on eventing. Last but not least, the delegates elected Norbert Bramlage, Dinklage, as Good Governance Officer. The chairmen of the district associations are still part of the committees. The newly elected presidium and committees will take up their work when the changes to the statutes that have become necessary for the structural reform have been confirmed by the responsible district court.