First Round Viewing of Older Riding Horse Stallions

During events designated by the KWPN, older jumping and dressage stallions may also be presented for approval. This concerns stallions aged four to seven. The evaluation and selection of these stallions take place within age-related classes during the stallion competition shows or the young horse classes at the KWPN Championships.

Dressage stallions are evaluated under saddle. The stallion selection committee assesses posture, use of the body, and quality of movement, as well as rideability and attitude. Four-, five-, and six-year-old stallions are assessed among their peers during the Pavo Cup. Seven-year-old stallions perform exercises at ZZ-Light level. In this way, the stallion selection committee gains a clear understanding of the stallion’s talent, development, and trainability.

Jumping stallions are also evaluated under saddle. The assessment focuses on the basic gaits, natural jumping ability, and performance in the course. Rideability and attitude are explicitly included in the evaluation. The height and level of difficulty of the course are adapted to the age of the stallion. On the first day of participation, jumping stallions are also assessed on conformation and in walk and trot on a hard surface. This evaluation provides the stallion selection committee with insight into the model, correctness of the limbs, and overall build of the stallion.

Participation in the selection for older stallions is open to stallions registered in:

• The foal book, Register A, Register B, or the studbook of the KWPN
• The KWPN-NA
• The NRPS (large size)

In addition, stallions registered in the main studbook of a KWPN-recognized or EU-recognized studbook with a comparable breeding objective or discipline may be eligible for stallion selection.

In exceptional cases, the Executive Board may decide to admit stallions that do not fall within these registrations but do fit within the breeding direction of jumping or dressage. These stallions participate under the same conditions, with the understanding that they always compete hors concours and solely within the framework of the stallion selection.

The sporting result of a class is not always decisive for continuation within the stallion selection process. It may occur that a stallion qualifies based on sport performance but is not selected from a breeding perspective, or that a genetically interesting stallion is selected for the next phase despite a lower placing.

Owners who wish to present their older stallion for approval must register for the first inspection of older stallions during the KWPN Championships. The starting lists are arranged so that stallions entered for stallion selection are presented together. If a stallion sufficiently convinces the stallion selection committee and is considered genetically interesting, he may be selected for a next round of evaluation. In this decision, impressions from the assessment on the hard surface are also considered.

Stallions that are selected for the performance test based on their performance and breeding value undergo a final in-hand inspection per age group. For participation in the performance test, these stallions must meet all applicable veterinary requirements. Older stallions admitted to the performance test take part in a 21-day test, in which they are evaluated through under-saddle presentations appropriate to their breeding direction.