2007

Mare Grading and Summer Show

MARE PERFORMANCE TEST

There are mixed views about the pros and cons of Mare Testing. We have already a Star System for mares who participate in Sport but we wish to extend this system to top young mares who are destined for a breeding career and whose performance under the rider can be assessed as a three, four or five year old. This practice is well established on the continent and enables owners of valuable young mares to start breeding from their investment at the earliest opportunity but, in addition, ensures that prospective customers are able to understand the ridden paces and ride-ability of this future dam.

The mare performance test is in addition to the normal studbook inspection where marks are allocated for all aspects of type and conformation, paces and elasticity. The additional elements comprise loose jumping, a ridden exercise in groups of three or four under the normal rider and then a final ridden assessment by a test rider. In the jumping section marks are allocated for scope and technique, in the group ridden assessment marks are given for walk, trot, canter and ride-ability, and the test rider then gives a second score for ride-ability. The advantage of this format which, incidentally, is designed in the most horse sympathetic way, is that it gives additional exposure to jumping mares, it allows the canter to be assessed and it provides an indication as to the temperament and trainability of the horse.

If you would like advice on preparation for this year’s mare performance tests which will take place at both the Summer Show weekend and the weekend of the Stallion Licensing, telephone Lynne Crowden at 01497 822170 or speak to Michelle Chambers our Mare Grading Secretary

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