Presenting a Mare

PERFORMANCE ACHIEVEMENTS IN DRESSAGE, EVENTING, OR HUNTER/JUMPER SHOWS MAY BE CONSIDERED IN LIEU OF THE MARE PERFORMANCE TEST.

Above: HPMC Sonata EMF, owned and bred by Kristine Schuler of Fleetwood, PA, presented at the Mid Atlantic Hanoverian Breeders’ inspection.

Performance Record All mare owners are encouraged to test their mares as proof of their rideability and athletic ability. It is also recommended that dams of all stallion prospects have taken the Mare Performance Test.

Hanoverian Premium Mare Status To attain Hanoverian Premium Mare (HPM) status the mare must be in the Main Studbook and be out of a Main Studbook mare. She must have scored an absolute overall seven (7.0) upon inspection. Once inspection scores have been verified, qualified mares must then pass the Mare Performance Test.

Studbook Admissions and Upgrade The Mare Performance Test is an avenue for Studbook acceptance of registered Thoroughbred, Arabian and AngloArabian mares that score an overall seven (7.0) or above on inspection but don’t receive a seven (7) or more for the trot. If these mares meet the AHS Mare Performance Test criteria as prescribed for Hanoverian Premium Mare status they are eligible for entry in the AHS Studbook.

For upgrading to the AHS Main Studbook, 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), must meet the AHS Mare Performance Test criteria as prescribed for Hanoverian Premium Mares. This means completing 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 in the section titled Test Alternatives.

The Riding Test During the under saddle portion of the Mare Performance Test, the mare is judged on rideability, temperament, and character. The under saddle phase is not a dressage test. However, the mare must be trained to perform the following movements when instructed: ■ Halt ■ Free walk on long rein ■ Working walk ■ Lengthen walk ■ Working trot rising ■ Lengthen trot ■ Working canter ■ Lengthen canter ■ Three loop serpentine ■ Change rein ■ 20 meter circle

The rider will be asked to walk, trot, and canter the mare up to 1500 meters so that her rideability can be evaluated separate from her gaits. This phase is to enable the commission to see the best gaits and way of going. The mare should be ridden well forward – it is not being judged as if in a dressage test.

Free Jumping All jumping in the Mare Performance Test is conducted through a chute without a rider. Most jumping chutes are set up on a 21-foot distance with a crossrail followed by a vertical and then an oxer. As the test progresses, the height of the last element is raised to test the mare’s scope and ability. Two excellent articles on free jumping are available from the AHS office: “Free Jumping: Technique, Ability and More,” by the HV’s Ludwig Christmann, and “Some Thoughts on Free Jumping,” by AHS Mare and Stallion Committee member Volker Ehlers.

Test Alternatives Regarding Hanoverian Premium Mare status and studbook upgrade, performance achievements in dressage, eventing, or hunter and jumper shows may be considered in lieu of the Mare Performance Test. As a basis for judging the performance of mares, the AHS may accept an alternative competitive sport test, consisting of one of the following achievements:

a. in dressage: must receive three (3) scores of at least 60% at Second Level,

Test 3, or above by three (3) different judges at USEF or Equine Canada recognized shows, or b. in jumping: must place in the top six (6) at 1.15m, or above, in at least three competitions at USEF “A” rated or

Equine Canada class “1” shows, or c. in eventing: must either: i) place in the top five (5) at least five times at

Training Level, or above; or ii) complete at least five (5) horse trials at

Preliminary Level, or above, without jump penalties (not to include time penalties), or d. in show hunters: must place in the top three (3) in an over-fences class of 10 or more entries, or in the top six (6) in an over fences class of 20 or more entries, in any rated division jumping 3’6”, or above, at five (5) different USEF “A” rated shows or

Equine Canada class “1” shows.

2020 MARE PERFORMANCE TEST STATISTICS

Mares Tested................................... 37 Hanoverian Premium and Hanoverian Premium Mare Candidates............................. 22 Studbook Upgrades........................... 2 Performance Records ..................... 14 Top Overall Score......................... 7.83

WArmblood breeding SocieTieS require that mares be inspected prior to their inclusion in a studbook. Presentation of your mare for inspection will be more successful if you understand what will be expected of you and your horse, and if you are prepared to execute it competently and with confidence. The inspection consists of an evaluation of the horse’s conformation, walk, and trot. The trot, and sometimes the walk, are shown on a triangle. The size and shape of the triangle will vary according to the conditions at the inspection site. Showing the horse on a triangle allows the judges to see all aspects without their having to move position.

Standing the Horse for Conformation Evaluation Usually you will first be asked to pose the horse for conformation evaluation. The judges stand just outside the triangle at its apex (Figure 1). Enter the judging area and halt the horse in front of the judges with its head to their left. Then proceed to stand up the horse. The horse should be presented in a snaffle bridle. Carefully select a bridle that is flattering to the horse, not one that is simply fashionable. The heads of many mares appear more attractive without the noseband of a cavesson. If this is the case, the mare should be shown without one.

The handler stands facing the horse with one rein in each hand. The reins are sometimes held out to the sides to help keep the horse straight. The horse should be positioned standing in an open stance: the feet are positioned so that all four legs can be seen when the animal is viewed from the side.

If the left side of the horse is being judged or photographed, the left front foot is positioned ahead of the right front, and the right hind foot is positioned in front of the left hind foot. To achieve this position, the horse must be taught to take one forward step at a time in response to a rein aid on the side that forward motion is desired. Corrections are always made in

CORRECT PRESENTATION CAN ENHANCE THE MARE’S CONFORMATION EVALUATION AND EVENTUAL SCORE.

The horse should be positioned standing in an open stance: the feet are positioned so that all four legs can be seen when the animal is viewed from the side. Above: Britania GVF, owned and bred by Rebecca Lewison of Barneveld, WI, was presented at the KD Sporthorses inspection.

a forward – never backward – direction. If in positioning the horse you get too far in front of the judges, make a circle and start over. The pictures in the English or German edition of Der Hannoveraner provide invaluable study.

Showing the Gaits In Hand Next, the handler is likely to be asked to show the walk or the trot. While the horse is moving, the handler remains at the left shoulder of the horse at all times. Turns are always made to the right. These are anticipated and controlled by bringing the left hand forward about six inches in front of the horse’s nose (Figure 2). The horse needs to be taught to respond to this aid. Thoughtful practice will lead to a fluent response. The Walk Depending on the composition of the inspection commission and the number of horses to be evaluated, the walk will be judged in one of the following ways: 1. Walk the horse away from the judges, thus bisecting the triangle, turning horse to the right before reaching the far side, and returning to the judges (Figure 3). 2. Walking around the entire triangle (Figure 4). 3. Walking the “small” triangle where the horses walk on a line parallel to the far side and inside of the triangle (Figure 5). 4. The walks of the horses may be judged in a group after the conformation and the trot of each horse has been

INSPECTORS