Help me learn how to read German bloodlines/abbreviations

[SaddleFitterVA]

I am studying the online European/German auctions, because it is a really good place to see a lot of horses presented the same way to develop an eye. I’m also trying to learn about bloodlines in the horses that appeal to me. But my lack of German and understanding of the abbreviations is giving me a bunch of super low-level questions.

My google skills are failing me in finding a good article to help. If anyone can point me to good links, or even recommend a book (in English), that would be great too!

This example I’ve pasted in below is from an auction that has closed, it’s what I think is the performance notes.

What is the abbreviation gek. ?
What is 1. Generation - sires only? Is 2. Generation Grandsire?
Is Damline what it sounds like? Mare/damline performance records?
Some I know. DRE: dressage with top level competed SPR: jumper with top level competed
Mit followed by rider is who rode the horse in the top competition.
What is the v. an abbreviation for? Example use: first line of 1. Generation,
“Gek. Hengst Barclays v. Belissimo M”.

What are the awards? At the bottom?

Tansania demonstrates her above-average talent for movement with a highly interesting pedigree composition. Her half-siblings show the way: Titania by Top Gear won bronze at the 2023 Bundeschampionat for 5-year-olds with Leonie Richter, Fräulein Pikolina by Fürstenball is successful in S*** with Elisa Prigge and the Belissimo M offspring by Barclay and Balance of Power are successful in Grand Prix sport.
1. Generation

gek. Hengst Barclay v. Belissimo M (DRE: int. Grand Prix mit Petra Middelberg); gek. Hengst Balance of Power v. Belissimo M (DRE: Grand Prix mit Marie-Christin Peil); Hann.Pr.A. Fräulein Pikolina v. Fürstenball (DRE: S*** mit Elisa Prigge,Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2014); gek. Hengst Fengari v. Fürstenball (DRE: M* mit Dennis Meschke,Verden 2016); Titania K v. Top Gear (DRE: Bronze Bundeschampionat 5j. mit Leonie Richter 2023); gek. Hengst Big Apple v. Belissimo M (Verden HM 2012); Hann.Pr.St. Fürst Lady v. Fürstenball (Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2016).

2. Generation

Fats Domino v. Fidertanz (DRE: int. Grand Prix mit Fabienne Müller-Lütkemeier); gek. Hengst Flanell v. Fidertanz (DRE: int. S** mit Nikolas Kröncke,Prä. Dre. Körung Verden 2013); gek. Hengst Sir Stanislaus v. Sandro Hit (DRE: S*** mit Kerstin Kronaus); gek. Hengst Rhodes Scholar v. Rohdiamant (DRE: int. S** mit Holga Finken); St.Pr.A. Romantik v. Rohdiamant (DRE: int. S** mit Victoria Max-Theurer,VA 2000: 150.000 €); gek. Hengst Fürst Rousseau v. Rousseau (DRE: int. M** mit Naomi Winnewisser); Hann.Pr.A. Bond Girl v. Borsalino (DRE: S* mit Emma Kanerva,Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2019); Bellmondo T. v. Bretton Woods (DRE: S* mit Nele Lübbehusen); Dark Knight v. Destano (DRE: S* mit Susi Bick); Floribelle v. Fahrenheit (DRE: S* mit Anna-Louisa Fuchs); gek. Hengst So Unique v. Sezuan (DRE: S* mit Isabell Werth,Bundeschampion 3j. Hengste mit Eva Möller 2018,Prä. Dre. Körung Verden 2017: 650.000 €); Fabergé v. Fürstenball (DRE: S* mit Annika Koch); gek. Hengst Le Vivaldi v. Vivaldi (DRE: S* mit Sabine Rüben,Prä. Dre. Körung Verden 2014: 230.000 €); gek. Hengst Dramatic v. Don Frederico (DRE: S* mit Lisa-Marie Marx,Weltmeister 6j. mit Jana Freund 2003,Verden HM 2004: 115.000 €); gek. Hengst Le Vivaldi II v. Vivaldi (Verden HM 2018,FoVA 2016: 66.000 €); gek. Hengst Quattroporte v. Quantensprung (Prä. Dre. Körung Verden 2016: 270.000 €); gek. Hengst Scolari v. Sandro Hit (Verden 2006); Hengst v. Sezuan (VA 2022: 55.000 €); Hann.Pr.St. Finistère v. Borsalino (Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2020); Romanze K v. Riedinger (VA 2010: 51.000 €); St.Pr.A. Blaze K v. Belissimo M (Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2007); St.Pr.St. Dolly v. Don Frederico (Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2007); Hann.Pr.St. Millenniums Girl v. Millennium (Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2019); Hann.Pr.St. Sequoia v. Sezuan (Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2019); Hann.Pr.St. Viva Special v. Vivaldi (Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2018); Hann.Pr.St. Fenira v. Fürstenball (Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2017); St.Pr.St. Daffy v. Don Frederico (Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2012); St.Pr.St. Scolara v. Sandro Hit (Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2009).

3. Generation

Big Ben K v. Grosso Z (DRE: S** mit Michael Bühl,VA 1997); gek. Hengst Elegant v. Einblick (DRE: S** mit Burkhard Jung,Verden 1982); So what v. Sir Donnerhall I (DRE: S* mit Victor Alfonso Pomares); Finchton v. Fidertanz (DRE: M** mit Robert Harrisson Schmerglatt); Falsterbo v. Florestan I (DRE: M** mit Volker Wiehr); Don Larinero v. Don Larino (DRE: M* mit Nicole Lüth); Big Ben v. Bonifatius (DRE: M mit Katharina Gradl); Hann.Pr.St. Quadriga v. Quaterhall; Hann.Pr.St. Danny v. Dancier; Hann.Pr.St. Daira v. Dancier (Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2014); St.Pr.St. Sydney v. Scolari; St.Pr.St. Schatzinsel v. Sandro Hit; St.Pr.St. Shakira v. Sir Savoy; St.Pr.St. Safira v. Sandro Hit; St.Pr.St. Fabiene v. Florestan I; St.Pr.St. Florida v. Florestan I; St.Pr.St. Wynona v. Weltmeyer; St.Pr.St. Baccarole v. Bolero (Louis Wiegels-Schau Heiligenfelde 1989); St.Pr.St. Grace Kelly v. Grenadier (Ratje Niebuhr-Schau Verden 1985,Siegerstute Louis Wiegels-Schau Heiligenfelde 1989); St.Pr.St. Geranie v. Grenadier (Ratje Niebuhr-Schau Verden 1985,Bundesschau Aachen 1986).

Dam line

gek. Hengst His Highness v. Hohenstein (DRE: M mit Inga Helldorff,Finale Bundeschampionat 5j./6j. 2005/2006,Sieger Körung Verden 2002: 515.000 €); St.Pr.A. Whisper v. Wolkenstein II (DRE: int. Grand Prix mit Hiroshi Hoketsu,VA 2000); Crisp v. Consul (DRE: Grand Prix mit Dr. Ricky Mac Millan); Giacometti v. Gardez (DRE: S** mit Corinna Stanslowski); Lishodo-R v. Literat (DRE: S** mit Julian Laumans); gek. Hengst Birkhof’s Donnerprinz v. Donnerhall (DRE: S** mit Meike Lang); Al Mansur v. Argentinus (DRE: S** mit Heiko Klausing); gek. Hengst Thronfolger v. Traumdeuter (DRE: S** mit Holga Finken); St.Pr.A. Que Sera v. Quaterback (DRE: S* mit Carina Duelli,Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2012); Wynton’s Son v. Wynton (DRE: S* mit Thomas Wagner); gek. Hengst Rosenfels v. Romanov Blue Hors (DRE: S* mit Philipp Hess,Verden HM 2012); Fellini v. Fidertanz (DRE: S* mit Henrik Hümpel); Harmony’s Leocadio v. Londonderry (DRE: S* mit Lena Stegemann); Summertime v. Sandro Hit (DRE: S* mit Hiltrud Mormann); gek. Hengst Sir Sandro v. Sandro Hit (DRE: S* mit Irina Oberthür,Verden HM 2005: 78.000 €); Rossini v. Rubinstar (DRE: S* mit Vanessa Avanzini); Neuschloß Valdes v. Van Deyk (DRE: S* mit Bettina Weiland); Nobleman v. Don Nobless (DRE: M** mit Stefanie Lempart); Stiene von der Weide v. Sir Donnerhall I (DRE: M** mit Peter Koch); St.Pr.St. Leonie v. Locksley II (DRE: M** mit Marena Schröder); Fidelia la Rosa v. Fidertanz (DRE: M** mit Stephano Enrico Blasi,VA 2013); Leopold SF v. Locksley II (DRE: M** mit Christian Flamm,VA 2012); Erka’s Diva-Gotika v. Don Frederico (DRE: M** mit Annett Weiland,VA 2007: 175.000 €); Hann.Pr.St. Laeticia v. Lemony’s Nicket (Herwart von der Decken-Schau Verden 2016); Hann.Pr.St. Schöne Aussicht v. Sir Donnerhall I (Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2015); Hann.Pr.St. Bella Donna v. Belissimo M (Herwart von der Decken-Schau 2014).

Dam:	Pikobella
Award:	1xIa.
ZL:	20/17

Granddam:	Geranie
Award:	3xIa.
ZL:	19/13

[DownYonder]

Someone with better knowledge of German breeding vocabulary can address your questions better than I can. But I can provide a bit of info.

gek. = gekört (approved)
gek. Hengst = approved stallion
v. = vater (sire)
Hann.Pr.St. = Hanoverian States Premium

Examples:
gek. Hengst Barclay v. Belissimo M = approved stallion Barclay by Belissimo M

Hann.Pr.St. Fürst Lady v. Fürstenball = Hanoverian States Premium (mare) Fürst Lady by Fürstenball

1 Generation appears to be referring to successful horses within the mare’s (Tansania’s) first generation, including her own siblings. For instance, Tansania is out of a mare named Pikobella, who also produced at least a dozen other foals, including ones named in your post:

• Approved stallion Barclay by Belissimo M
• Approved stallion Balance of Power by Belissimo M
• Premium A mare Fräulein Pikolina v. Fürstenball
• Approved stallion Fengari by Fürstenball
• Mare Titania K by Top Gear

1.Generation also mentions an approved stallion named Big Apple (by Belissimo M) and the States Premium Mare Fürst Lady v. Fürstenball, although the Horse Telex database doesn’t show a stallion named Big Apple, nor does it show a Hanoverian Fürst Lady by Fürstenball. Horse Telex is not always 100% correct though, so if you are quoting info in the auction catalog of a Verband auction, the catalog is likely correct.

I assume 2. Generation is referring to horses related to or descending from Tansania’s grandparents (her 2nd generation) - i.e., Totilas, Weihegold, Prestige Pilot, and Geranie. And 3. Generation is referring to horses descending from Tansania’s great-grandparents.

I am not 100% certain that all the horses mentioned in the “Generation” sections are directly related to the mare Tansania. It could be that some of the mentioned horses are only tangentially related to Tansania, through cousins (even distant cousins) who were bred to other horses that produced the ones named in your post.

Damline probably contains only horses descending from or related to Tansania’s very bottom line (is that what TB and Arabian breeders refer to as the “tail female line”?).

I am not sure what the award info means. Perhaps a Han breeder can fill in those blanks.

[SaddleFitterVA]

DownYonder,

thank you!!! That is super helpful. I was getting close in my guesses, but the gek. (approved!) was keeping me stymied. I did find something that told me v. was effectively “by”, but now I understand why it is v…

SF

[Marla_100]

@Manni01 is German, has bred Hannoverians and a dressage rider.
Maybe she will chime in.

[Manni01]

Well regarding the Award info….
I am not a Hanoverian breeder, I bred Oldenburger, but I know what it is standing for.

In Hannover mares have to be presented at mare shows to get a premium. Some of these shows are really prestigious and you have to qualify for them.
So competition at these shows is tough. The winner of the class gets rewarded with a 1a.

And the award infos shows that the first mare got awarded 1 1a price and the second mare got awarded 3 1a prices.

BTW the Hervart von der Decken Schau is one of the most prestigious mare shows. We boarded our horses once with a Hanoverian breeder whose mare won this show… it was really big!!
You can see this Show is mentioned several times with several mares…

And ZL shows how many foals she got in how many years she was bred. So in 20 years she had 17 foals…

Hope this helps. @DownYonder explained the other things very well!

[DownYonder]

Thanks, Manni. I was sort of thinking the award info meant that, as did the ZL stats, but wasn’t sure so decided to let someone else chime in.

[SaddleFitterVA]

This definitely helps! I’m taking notes, and using the latest online auction to practice reading for each horse and understanding, particularly on the ones that I like.

Since I am focusing on the smaller ones (under 16 hands), it might be why the hammer price on most of the ones I was watching ended under 15K Euro.