IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR OLDENBURG BREEDERS

[DownYonder]

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR OLDENBURG BREEDERS

If you are planning to present horses at Oldenburg (OHBS/GOV) inspections this year, please be aware that you must PRE-REGISTER your horses through the office before inspection time. Online forms are available on the website at http://www.oldenburghorse.com/Oldbrg-Inspections-Forms.htm . Click on “Required OHBS Forms”, then “Inspection Registration Forms” and select the appropriate form(s).

The online forms should be submitted at least three weeks before the scheduled inspection, to give the office time to transfer the info onto the official 3-part forms that are sent to the inspection site for use during the inspection. You should probably also print out the online form after completing it, but before clicking Submit, and bring the print-out with you to the inspection.

There is also an Enrollment Form PDF on the website that should be completed and sent to your site host several weeks before the inspection, so she knows how many horses and people to plan for. Also be aware that some sites may require you to complete their own inspection entry form. These forms are usually available from the inspection host’s web site, or directly from the host.

[Hillside H Ranch]

When will all of the inspection dates be posted? I'm hoping to attend the one in Missouri, but the date isn't posted yet, so it makes it hard to plan.

[DownYonder]

Scheduling an inspection tour in N.A. is an enormous task given the size of the U.S. and Canada. They have already scheduled close to 40 sites and are still working to confirm other sites, but they have to work around availability of the hosts (think vacations, show schedules, other inspections, etc., etc.), plus availability of inspectors. Oldenburg likes to have two inspectors at each site, which gets pretty expensive, so in these tough economic times, they are trying to ensure that all sites have a certain number of horses to cover hotel and airfare/car rental expenses.

If you have questions about a specific location, contact the office. They may be trying to schedule an inspection in your area and are not sure they will have enough participants. It's always good to make sure they are aware that you are interested in a specific site.

[Hillside H Ranch]

Scheduling an inspection tour in N.A. is an enormous task given the size of the U.S. and Canada. They have already scheduled close to 40 sites and are still working to confirm other sites, but they have to work around availability of the hosts (think vacations, show schedules, other inspections, etc., etc.), plus availability of inspectors. Oldenburg likes to have two inspectors at each site, which gets pretty expensive, so in these tough economic times, they are trying to ensure that all sites have a certain number of horses to cover hotel and airfare/car rental expenses.

If you have questions about a specific location, contact the office. They may be trying to schedule an inspection in your area and are not sure they will have enough participants. It's always good to make sure they are aware that you are interested in a specific site.


I realize it is very hard; I wasn't criticizing! However, the site I'm interested in is listed on the website, with a TBA for the date. I have attempted to contact the office regarding that site, but no response. I really like working with GOV, but my only complaint is that I often hhave a very hard time getting a response to my inquiries!

[DownYonder]

Holly was in Germany last week for the auction, but she is back in town now. I easily reached her in the office a couple of hours ago.

You may also want to contact your site host now and let them know you are interested. They may be having trouble mustering up enough horses, so it wouldn't hurt to make sure they know about yours.

[DownYonder]

Bump...

[DownYonder]

Bumping again.

Mods, can we get a sticky at the top for GENERAL inspection/registry announcements? I'm not thinking about a thread to announce inspection results, but rather one for important GENERAL info.

[tveley]

"I am organizing an annual Oldenburg Inspection here at my First Flight Farm in Boerne, Texas (30 miles NW of San Antonio). I personally will have 3 foals and 3 mares to be inspected this year. The Oldenburg Verband insists that we have at least 12 horses to justify sending the judges to do the inspection. I know of at least 17 others that have indicated an interest in a more centrally located inspection site.

Would you be interested in attending an Inspection in Boerne rather than go to the Dallas or Houston area? The tentative date we are looking at is early October so it will not be so hot. Unfortunately Holly has not been able give me a definite date as of yet.

First Flight Farm is very easy to get to, located only 0.8 miles off of IH10, 2 miles north of beautiful historic downtown Boerne. We have plenty of available barn space and trailer parking area. There are also several good hotels and great restaurants located within 2 miles of our farm.

Please let me know if you or others you know would be interested in attending an inspection here and if so, how many horses would you be bringing? If you are interested in helping with the planning, we would welcome your input as well.

Best regards,
Tricia Veley"

[Signature]

Thanks for all the info! :) Do you know when they are going to announce the rest of the tour dates?

There used to be one very near to us at Wellington Farm in VA Beach, and then one farily close at Sankt Georg Farm in Petersburg, VA (Richmond area) - but I see neither on the list this year. Are they on a later tour I wonder? I only ask because the next closest is on July 18 in NC but is a 3.5 hour drive vs. 1-1.5 for the others. I need to submit the forms soon to meet the deadline but also want to see if there is another stop possibly closer on the later tours. Just curious!! :) Thanks!!

[DownYonder]

Hillside, the Missouri inspection is now on the schedule - August 10, Taura Farms, Mt. Vernon MO.

Signature, Wellington Farm is not on the schedule at this point. The Sankt Georg inspection may or may not happen - probably depends on whether they think they will have enough horses at that one to justify adding it to the schedule.

[Signature]

Thanks for the info! :) Usually Sankt Georg has a lot of attenance but I understand they are trying to be efficient. I will wait as long as I can and then send in the forms as necessary. Thank you for the help! :)

[Hillside H Ranch]

Hillside, the Missouri inspection is now on the schedule - August 10, Taura Farms, Mt. Vernon MO.

Signature, Wellington Farm is not on the schedule at this point. The Sankt Georg inspection may or may not happen - probably depends on whether they think they will have enough horses at that one to justify adding it to the schedule.

Thank you! I saw that when I checked the site this weekend. Much appreciated!

[DownYonder]

Thanks for the info! :) Usually Sankt Georg has a lot of attenance but I understand they are trying to be efficient. I will wait as long as I can and then send in the forms as necessary. Thank you for the help! :)

You might want to check with the office and see how things are looking for the Sankt Georg site. How many horses do you need to present?

[feather river]

Holly was in Germany last week for the auction, but she is back in town now. I easily reached her in the office a couple of hours ago.

You may also want to contact your site host now and let them know you are interested. They may be having trouble mustering up enough horses, so it wouldn't hurt to make sure they know about yours.

I sent an email to the site host for Oregon, and no reply! I find the inspection scheduling to be sketchy at best. Sure, if you live near a big area with many breeders it works, but forget the rest of us in this country. I guess Germany just wants our money and we get no representation. Kind of like voting in Iran.

[Carol Ames]

Who owns riverside in Bluemont? Years ago ( over 30!) I rode young homebrd TBs for a river farm in Bluemont/ Berryville; it was nnot the operation tyhat it appears to be now; there was no ring, so, I rode in a level area in the flood plain :eek:; there was a TB colt who, would have made as great dressage horse, wonderful:yes: brain, good trot with:yes: suspension , and fabulous canter though , he did NOT like doing most things over and over but, a typical dressage warmup in a field was:winkgrin: fine; He was working 1st/ 2nd level when I left; I heard somehow that he hd gone to the track but, returned because he tossed riders:eek:, no wonder , hey had him going round and roundthe e shed row, finitely boring.:lol:r

[Signature]

You might want to check with the office and see how things are looking for the Sankt Georg site. How many horses do you need to present?

We just have two foals. Both mares are already approved. :)

We can do St Georg in one day but the other sites require 3x the distance and overnight travel, etc. Definitely can be done but was just exhausting all other options. :) No matter what is fine! :D

[DownYonder]

I sent an email to the site host for Oregon, and no reply! I find the inspection scheduling to be sketchy at best. Sure, if you live near a big area with many breeders it works, but forget the rest of us in this country. I guess Germany just wants our money and we get no representation. Kind of like voting in Iran.

How many times have you tried to contact them? Maybe their email is down, maybe they have been out of town. Have you tried to call them?

The registry has over 40 sites lined up for this year. I do not consider that “sketchy”. But, Dave, do you think they should come for just 3 or 4 horses? It gets kind of expensive - airfare for two inspectors, hotels, meals (when not provided by the site host or included with the hotel), sometimes car rental expenses, etc. I'm sure they could save a lot of money by only sending one inspector to each site, and even more by not flying people here from Germany, but since the registry is German based, it is important to maintain those ties.

[DownYonder]

We just have two foals. Both mares are already approved. :)

We can do St Georg in one day but the other sites require 3x the distance and overnight travel, etc. Definitely can be done but was just exhausting all other options. :) No matter what is fine! :D

Good luck, whatever you decide!

[feather river]

How many times have you tried to contact them? Maybe their email is down, maybe they have been out of town. Have you tried to call them?

The registry has over 40 sites lined up for this year. I do not consider that “sketchy”. But, Dave, do you think they should come for just 3 or 4 horses? It gets kind of expensive - airfare for two inspectors, hotels, meals (when not provided by the site host or included with the hotel), sometimes car rental expenses, etc. I'm sure they could save a lot of money by only sending one inspector to each site, and even more by not flying people here from Germany, but since the registry is German based, it is important to maintain those ties.

I understand all of this. I am an Oldbg breeder and have been an Oldbg stallion owner in the past. I am very aware of their strong points and weak points. My point is that they are generally short on quick service unless Holly is not off on holiday in Germany. The Verband takes our money and spends it in Germany. I am also an AmHan member. They publish their finances. Look at their numbers. We deserve the same level of services as we have just as many dues paying stallions and mares. I resent being the "red headed stepchild" member of the Verband. You don't have to like my opinion, but there it is. I pay my dues and feel I therefore have a right to complain [and yes I know it does no good because there are too many like you who like that "made in Germany" feel to your goods.]

I simply posted that I had gone to the GOV site, had sent an email to the Oregon site listed and have not received any response. Those are just facts, not opinion.

[DownYonder]

Hey, you are certainly welcome to voice your opinion. I agree that AHS is a paragon of how a registry should be run. I don't think there are too many people that would argue with that.

However, I will submit that the Oldenburg Verband does spend quite a bit of "our" money in North America. The inspection tours are enormously expensive to run, considering travel costs, paperwork, postage costs, DNA processing costs, etc. They are also now conducting two MPTs and three stallion inspection sites here, which all require the presence of officials from Germany.

Furthermore, Holly rarely just goes "on holiday" to Germany. She is almost always working when she goes there, either in the office or helping American or Canadian buyers at the auctions. I do agree that it can be difficult to reach her at times and they have tried to address this by hiring additional office help. There were three people in the office for a while last year, but one of them has returned to Germany and now works in the Verband office there, but her primary function is handling paperwork, etc., for North American breeders and owners. The other person did not work out and has moved on. The last I heard, they were trying to replace her but I do not know if they have hired a suitable person yet. They *have* hired another person in the U.S. to handle the DNA paperwork, so that should go much faster, which will help registration papers get processed faster.

At any rate, I have said this before on this forum and will say it again here. Complaints about the registry are usually best directed to the office in Germany - probably to Katrin Burger or Dr. Schleppinghoff. There is only so much Holly can do to rectify matters, and it does help for "higher ups" in the Verband to understand that there is an issue of concern here.

As for liking a "made in Germany feel" to my goods - hah, I kept track this last holiday season on where stuff was made, and about 80% of the things I purchased or received as gifts was made in China. Besides, I have directed MANY horse buyers toward U.S. or Canadian sources over the past few years - have even said on this forum that I do not believe it is cost effective to buy foals in Europe anymore, or broodmares, UNLESS the horse has bloodlines that are very difficult to find here.

[Commander Cody]

I have to agree I am finding this whole thing with the deadline a bit frustrating. Of the sites closest to me, one is the day before Dressage at Lexington when I have to be hauling horses and students (one of our biggest breed shows also) and the other has no date, so how do I plan? And the one with a date has no stabling so the horses have to sit in a hot trailer and wait.

The sites in MD are both WAY up on the Eastern shore, far away for VA people or PA people and making us cross the Bay Bridge in summer (not a fun prospect as I am on the opposite side of Washington DC and have to get past that and over the bridge). OK, one up there is fine, but both of them? Sometimes I wonder why I do this to my mares and foals in the heat of the summer.

We need to have some big central sites (like Hilltop and other big breeding sites) with dates that either don't vary year-to-year or are set early so that those of us with many other obligations than breeding can plan well in advance and know there is some place we can get to no matter what.

[DownYonder]

I understand it is not a perfect system, but they are trying to address many issues at once - including keeping the inspection tours cost-effective while still servicing the breeders as best they can. You might want to discuss your concerns with the office and see if they have a recommendation that will help.

One thing is for sure - it is impossible to please all the people all the time. :lol:

[feather river]

I understand it is not a perfect system, but they are trying to address many issues at once - including keeping the inspection tours cost-effective while still servicing the breeders as best they can. You might want to discuss your concerns with the office and see if they have a recommendation that will help.

One thing is for sure - it is impossible to please all the people all the time. :lol:

But you make a wonderful spin doctor for them.:)

[hluing]

I have ttried calling the office several times this week and can't even seem to be able to leave a message...just says please enter remote access code. If any one manages to get ahold of them...please tell them to fix thier machine!

[Signature]

I have both called and emailed the GOV office many, many times over multiple years and have yet to receive a return call or email - no offense, just saying. :)

[DownYonder]

I started this thread as a public service announcement for the many breeders who plan to present horses at Oldenburg inspections this year - NOT as a place for people to complain about the registry. If you have issues with the registry, please contact the office in Germany.

[Sunnydays]

Yikes - what is this accusation about spin doctors?! I have had few dealings with the GOV, but have found my questions (usually email) to be handled well and promptly. As for inspection site selection - you can't please all of the people all of the time. The Hanoverians also need sufficient numbers at a site to make it financially possible. (I actually have more choices in my area for GOV than Hanoverian.)
And the stallion directory and newsletters are terrific and of great value. I'm a pretty happy member - and will bring my 1st mare and foal to inspection this summer.
Frankly, I'm amazed at the stamina and patience (as well as knowledge) of the inspectors who undertake the gruelling summer tour. Has to be trying and tiring.:)

[DownYonder]

Frankly, I'm amazed at the stamina and patience (as well as knowledge) of the inspectors who undertake the gruelling summer tour. Has to be trying and tiring.:)

I too have always been amazed at the inspection teams from all registries, who spend WEEKS on the road - a different town every day and different bed every night, long hours in airports/airplanes, eating a variety of foods, sometimes getting only a quick bite of junk food as they dash through an airport, etc. Wow, what stamina!

[trooper345]

Terry Smith owns Riverside, contact here www.riversideequestrian.org

[Signature]

I have a quick question maybe someone on here can answer if they've had experience - I just realized that the stallion that one of our foals this year is by, Scimitar, is not approved GOV. He is with AHS, Old NA and RPSI. Don't know how I overlooked this, but at any rate, with the GOV still possibly register the foal?

The mare is GOV approved, and also with RPSI. So, we can take the foal RPSI but we have four foals this year and so were going to do 2 and 2 just because we can take 2 mares and foals at a time on our large trailer, so doing 3 pair will be very difficult and require two haulers.

Thanks!! :)

[DownYonder]

You may be able to get a breeding allowance for the Scimitar foal. I believe he is fully approved by an acknowledged registry (AHS) and was 100 day tested, so they may grant it. You will have to check with the office.

[Forte]

Can anyone confirm for me that there is an inspection at Dreamscape Farm in Langley, BC on July 30? That was the date I was told a few weeks ago, but I noticed that it is not listed on the website.

[Signature]

Thanks, DY - I've dropped them an email and will call beginning of the week if I don't hear anything. Yes, he's approved AHS so hopefully they will grant. Thank you so much for the info!

[TrueColours]

Wow

Ive called the Oldenburg office 3 times, and 3 times I got to speak with the lady there who was most helpful with every question I needed answers to

Bummer for me that the July 12th inspection in PA was cancelled, so we now need to target the August one at Rollingstone Farm or the Sept one in PA as well

But I have never had a problem getting in contact with them. Beginner's luck maybe?! :lol:

[idlemoon]

True colors: There is always one at Turning Point Farm in Downingtown PA. This is where the wonderful stallion Tantris stands. This is the inspection site we go to every year, it's a great place! Jeanne is so nice, and the inspection is not too big/ not too small. I do not know when it will be. Last year it was July 15th, but Jeanne emailed us and said she wanted to one later in the summer.

I have ALWAYS had good luck with the service at the GOV. One time I did play phone tag for awhile, but then the office staff gave me thier cell # to follow up. I truely believe the GOV is working hard for us breeders here, and they continue to improve.

Lisa

[Signature]

I received a prompt response from Holly. Thumbs up, very happy! Thanks again for the help.:yes:

[feather river]

I received a prompt response from Holly. Thumbs up, very happy! Thanks again for the help.:yes:

maybe someone passed the word of the complaints on this thread. maybe they decided to put the word service in GOV.

[hluing]

Yep, phone issue seems to have been fixed and all is well;)

[medhorse]

I want to make sure that Weser-ems foals can be inspected at the GOV inspections. Also, my foal will be at three weeks at the time of the closest inspection is that considered an issue?

[DownYonder]

Can anyone confirm for me that there is an inspection at Dreamscape Farm in Langley, BC on July 30? That was the date I was told a few weeks ago, but I noticed that it is not listed on the website.

Dreamscape Farm is scheduled for Aug. 3.

[DownYonder]

I want to make sure that Weser-ems foals can be inspected at the GOV inspections. Also, my foal will be at three weeks at the time of the closest inspection is that considered an issue?

Yes, they can also inspect for Weser-Ems at the Oldenburg (GOV) inspections. Three weeks of age is not a problem - they see even younger foals at inspections from time to time.

[DownYonder]

Bumping this up...

Inspections begin next week. :cool: