Inspection Requirements & Guidelines
The American Warmblood Registry conducts inspection and branding
tours on an annual basis. The schedule is published in the American Warmblood Registry Newsletter.
Colts
Owners of colts registered with the AWR who wish to apply
for a stallion breeding license must make application to the AWR when the colt is two years old. The colt will be brought
for inspection in the fall of the year that he turns 2.
The colt will be examined according to the guidelines for
the Foal and Youngstock Inspection in which he must receive an overall mark of 7 out of 10 to be awarded a temporary breeding
license, (valid for three years).
He must return for inspection at the age of 5 years to be performance tested
under saddle.
Mares
Performance testing for mares is voluntary in most cases, although owners are encouraged
to have their mares tested.
Mares without papers must always be performance tested. If the horse has been a brood
mare exclusively, she will be required to complete the in-hand and at-liberty inspection. The test is conducted according
to the AWR Breeding Stock Inspection Guidelines.
For mares registered with the AWR or an accepted registry, the
performance test is voluntary until the year 2000. After that date, all mares must successfully complete the AWR Mare Performance
Test.
Stallions
Before being performance tested, a stallion must be registered with the American
Warmblood Registry and DNA tested.
In the year that he turns 2, a young stallion must be graded in hand and at
liberty. If the stallion scores 7 out of 10 on this part of the AWR Stallion Performance Test, he will be issued a preliminary
breeding license, with the understanding that before he turns 5, he will have completed the under saddle part of the performance
test. On scoring 7 out of 10 on the under-saddle portion of the AWR test, the stallion will be awarded a three-year temporary
breeding license.
The outline for performance testing is contained in the Breeding Stock Guidelines for stallions.
A stallion older than 5 years that has applied for registration with the AWR must complete the total AWR Inspection
and Performance Test if he is to be issued a breeding license. On completing the total inspection and performance test, he
receives a 3-year temporary breeding license.
Stallion Inspection
Stallion inspection
is designed to assess the horse as a potential breeding animal; the purpose of a foal inspection is to assess how the stallion
actually performs as a sire. The format of the inspection helps to ensure that the animals have the opportunity to display
themselves naturally.
Stallions are judged individually in each of the six stages, except for the last and final
stage in which all stallions appear together. Stages 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 are compulsory for all except those given a waiver
for veterinary reasons; Stage 5 is optional for stallions between 36 and 48 months of age, and compulsory all older stallions
except those with a veterinary waiver. The inspection allows the stallion to be assessed in the following categories, on which
he must score a 7 out of 10 overall:·
- Breed,
type, and conformation
- Shoulders
and withers
- Top-line and quarters
- Front legs
- Hind legs
- Correctness of movement
- Carriage and elasticity
- Loose jumping
- Jumping under saddle
- Flatwork under saddle
- General impression
STAGE 1 - Preliminary Walk and Trot Up and Conformation Assessment on Hard Ground permits the judge
to assess the straightness and rhythm of the stallion's movement on a firm surface, so that the horse's feet can be seen in
action at all times. He or she gains an initial impression of the stallion's overall conformation and look as well as his
overall attitude, temperament, and handle ability.
STAGE 2 - The Walk and trot on Triangle and Second Conformation will permit the judge to assess the straightness
and rhythm of the stallion's movement in extension on a softer, preferably artificial surface, and examines his overall conformation
and look.
STAGE 3 - The Trot and Canter
at Liberty is an assessment of the stallion's natural balance plus the elevation and rhythm of his pace when at liberty, as
well as his attitude, temperament, handle ability, and mannerism when loose.
STAGE 4 - Free Jumping allows the judge to assess the horse's natural jumping ability, as well as his
attitude and temperament when jumping.
STAGE 5 - Display Under Saddle provides the judge with the opportunity to assess the stallion's attitude and
temperament when being ridden on the flat; to check his attitude and temperament when being jumped under saddle (optional);
and to assess the level of the stallion's current training and performance.
STAGE 6 - The last step is the Final Critique, in which the stallion's overall performance
at the inspection is assessed and evaluated, and the total performance is graded.
