Mare Performance Test

CERTAIN NON-HANOVERIAN WARMBLOOD MARES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR INSPECTION AND PLACEMENT INTO THE MAIN STUDBOOK, SUBJECT TO PEDIGREE APPROVAL BY THE AHS AND GERMAN HANOVERIAN VERBAND.

Right: California Canter, owned by Gabriel Molina, was Champion non-Hanoverian mare at the Eurequine inspection.

TAMARA TORTI

modification approved in 2009 allows a non- Hanoverian mare that does not obtain the necessary overall 7.0 or better for entry into the studbooks to have her MPT free jumping score added to the overall inspection score and the resulting total divided by 7 (instead of 6).

A registered Thoroughbred, Arabian or Anglo-Arabian mare entered into the AHS Studbook with an overall score of seven (7.0) with no subscore below five (5), including a subscore of seven (7) for impulsion and elasticity (the trot), is eligible for an upgrade to the AHS Main Studbook upon meeting the AHS Mare Performance Test criteria as prescribed for Hanoverian Premium Mares. This means completing the MPT with an overall score of seven (7) or better (at least 21 points) or with an eight (8) and two 6s (20 points) or through provision of scores in competition.

Studbook A 3-year-old or older Hanoverian mare or a non-Hanoverian warmblood mare with acceptable registration papers that could have been registered Hanoverian as a foal (both sire and dam in the AHS or HV breeding program) will be entered in the AHS Studbook if she: • is out of a Main Studbook or Studbook mare and scores at least an overall five (5.0) but less than an overall six (6.0) with no subscore less than four (4); • is out of a Pre-Studbook mare and scores at least an overall six (6.0) with no subscore less than five (5); • is a registered Thoroughbred, Arabian or Anglo-Arabian mare that scores an overall seven (7.0) or above on inspection, including a subscore of seven (7) for impulsion and elasticity (the trot); • is a registered Thoroughbred, Arabian or

Anglo-Arabian mare that scores an overall seven (7.0) or above on inspection but does not receive a seven (7) or more for the trot but meets the AHS Mare

Performance Test criteria as pre- scribed for HPM status; • All registered Thoroughbred, Arabian and Anglo- Arabian mares that were inspected prior to 2005 (the year mares were allowed to be shown at liberty for the trot score) and scored an overall seven (7) or above on inspection are retroactively eligible for an upgrade to the AHS Studbook upon request. The

AHS Board of Directors approved this motion in 2008 since these mares did not have the opportunity to show their trot

at liberty, which usually, but not always, results in a score one point better than shown in hand. • is an injured or aged registered

Thoroughbred, Arabian or Anglo-

Arabian mare whose past record of performance in dressage, jumpers, eventing, or hunters is verified by the AHS office in accordance with the AHS Rules of

Registration; • is a non-Hanoverian warmblood mare with registration papers acceptable to the AHS and HV that has a registered

Thoroughbred dam and scores an overall seven (7.0) with no subscore below five (5) including a subscore of seven (7) for impulsion and elasticity (the trot). These mares may upgrade to the Main Studbook upon completion of the MPT with an overall score of seven (7.0) or better (at least 21 points) or with an 8 and two 6s (20 points) or through provision of scores in competition as specified on page 23.

Mare Re-Inspection Mares are usually inspected only once. However, a mare may be re-inspected upon the owner’s application to the AHS office if the owner would like to attempt a higher score.

ALL JUMPING IN THE MARE PERFORMANCE TEST IS CONDUCTED THROUGH A CHUTE WITHOUT A RIDER.

Above: Fiori FHF, owned and bred by Candice Kay Klingbeil of Bonsall, CA, was MPT Champion at the Barcelona Farms inspection.

Right: HPMC Wild Ivy GOA, owned and bred by Tamara Torti and Denise Cossuto of Cottonwood, CA, was Champion Hanoverian mare and MPT Champion at Eurequine inspection.

TAMARA TORTI

OwnerS Are encourAged To performAnce test their mares to determine their rideability and whether the mare’s talent lies in jumping or dressage. A study in Germany shows a high correlation between the Mare Performance Test results and the ability to predict the talents of a mare’s offspring. The test is not required, but can be an invaluable aid in determining the breeding goal for a mare. Genetic correlations especially related to jumping and the high correlation of inheritability of gaits make the Mare Performance Test a very important tool in deciding whether to breed a mare for jumping or dressage offspring. The Mare Performance Test evaluates a mare’s rideability, gaits and jumping talent, with each area weighted one-third in the final score. During the under saddle portion of the test, a mare’s gaits are rated in addition to her temperament and character. Mares must be able to show a lengthened stride in each gait, and such simple dressage movements as a three loop serpentine and free walk on a loose rein. The jumping portion of the test is conducted in a jumping chute without a rider rather than over a jump course with a rider. The mare’s technique and scope are scored.

Reasons for Testing There are four main reasons for performance testing a mare. One is to obtain a performance record to use as a tool in making breeding decisions; another is to attain Hanoverian Premium Mare status with an eligible mare. A third reason for testing is to enable certain mares to advance to the Main Studbook. Fourth, a mare with an eligible pedigree that attains an overall score of eight (8.0) or better on the jumping portion of the performance test may apply to enter the Jumper Breeding Program.

Additionally, a mare that meets the other requirements for Hanoverian Premium Mare eligibility but does not score an overall 7.0 on inspection (42 points) or a non-Hanoverian mare that does not obtain the necessary overall 7.0 or better for entry into the studbooks may have her free jumping score added to the overall inspection score and the resulting total divided by 7 (instead of 6). If this new total is 7.0 or better that result would count towards Hanoverian Premium Mare eligibility (in the case of eligible Hanoverian mares) or Main Studbook acceptance (in the case of nonHanoverian mares). u

Mare’s MPT jumping score:

Inspection Points 8.0 8.5 9.0 9.5 10.0

41 (6.83) √ √ √ √ √ 40 (6.66) – – √ √ √ 39 (6.5) – – – – √