german stallion grading

H

happy_talk

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 August 2007
Messages
521
Visit site
Can someone explain to me when and what happens at various ages?
Licensing as 2 yr olds? - what does this entail/allow them to do?
Are they only available by fresh/chilled semen initially?
When are they available by frozen?
At what age are they performance/young horse tested?
Why are some 30 day and some 70day tested?

Sorry for probably simple questions, but trying to understand what information should be available for stallions of various ages, and what stallions haven't done or achieved.

Thank you!
 
Which book? They don't all do things exactly the same with regards to licensing etc, although they are similar.

For example, the Hanoverian Stallion Performance Test info page is here: http://www.hannoveraner.com/2380.html If you do a bit of a search you'll be able to find similar info for the other studbooks.

Re the fresh/frozen/chilled, so far as I know it's personal preference, although usually dictated by the horse (or, more precisely, his swimmers!). But stallions that aren't fully approved may only stand to limited books so it might not be worth freezing, especially if the stallion owner also wants to be very particular about the mares. It's so easy to freeze now though, I've known people to freeze from a stallion they fully intend to cut, just in case it turns out to be a superstar.
 
Last edited:
Thanks TS - that makes sense then as 3 yr old stallions I've seen are licensed with no performance testing and are available by fresh semen limited to 100 mares.
 
Hi, Will try and post a run through of the rough process later, not got time atm but should be able to do this evening or tomorrow
 
"The tests are executed as per the generally recognized rules of the riding sport.
They are performance tests in the meaning of the lifestock breeding laws and can be executed as a stationary testing, as competition testing or as a combination of predisposition testing and stationary testing or as a combination of predisposition testing and competition testing.

(1) Predisposition testing on station
The predisposition testing (30-day-testing) is executed by competent authorities as per lifestock breeding laws or by testing stations engaged by them.
(2) Stationary testing for stallions
The stationary testing (70-day-testing) is executed by competent authorities as per lifestock breeding laws or by testing stations engaged by them.
(3) Competition testing
Alternatively to the testing on station the performance requirements can also be fulfilled, if stallions are able to show proof success in competition tests. The competition testing is executed in the disciplines dressage, jumping and cross country / eventing."

(Partial translation of § 8 - breeding regulations "German Horse" - ZfdP)

I can only advice not to get into it too deeply at the moment, because the German government has started privatising the performance testing, which means that by 2013 the German Breeding Associations together with the German Horse Federation (F.N.) have to do it all by themselves. Some changes are expected. Some changes have already been made, such as central entries via F.N. and no age deduction index used anymore.
 
Last edited:
is conformation marked/commented on at any point? i assume any problems would be flagged at the initial licensing as 2 yr olds.
Are the horses x-rayed??
 
Uups, sorry I thought your main question was about performance requirements....

Yes, stallions for Warmblood books can be presented at age of 2 years and older at the exterior gradings.
X-rays need to be presented at the exterior grading due to the completed study on OCD issues in Germany.
The exterior grading is only the first step to a life time approval of a Warmblood stallion.

Before being allowed to enter the exterior grading a colt/stallion prospect went through some selection system already. First of all you have the foal inspections, then you have the pre-assessments. Certainly it is free to a stallion owner to present his stallion to a grading even without a recommendation, but this stallion normally stands a very little chance to pass only.
Also, even if passing the pre-selection system with good scorings, this does not assure a stallion owner that his stallion will pass the stallion grading.
 
Last edited:
The stallions come for grading at two and a half to 3 if licensed then they can cover a limited number of mares as a 3 year old they can do the 30 day test or the 70 day test from 2011 the pass mark will be breeding values based on the results of the stallions in the performance test. Passing the 70 day test gives a permanent license. As a 4yr old they would have to qualify for the Bundeschampionate and as a five year old get placed in Bundeschampionate or in the first 5 at specific levels of competition. Requirements for Hanoverian,Hessan,TB,Arab or AA stallions an average of 100 in dressage and show jumping for non Hanoverian warmblood mares a value of 110. As the previous person said EU law prevents governments from financially aiding commercial firms so the control passes from the government to the FN who will devolve to the studbooks. The old rules apply to stallions who passed before 2011
 
many thanks for your comments! it's been very helpful (and still seems complicated to me).
Pendragon- inquisitive about all requirements!! I didn't realise 30 & 70 day testing was done so young. certainly favours those who develop quickly - too quickly? (I know, that's probably another thread in itself). what do you mean "exterior" grading?

so as a young stallion, targets are
2.5 yr - licensing
end of year 3 - performance tested (can you view all performance test results- pass & fail?). 70 day = full license. 30 day then need bundeschampionate/competition results too as 4-5yr old?

do both dressage & jumping bred stallions get tested in performance tests for both disciplines? is the license a general stud book license- or recommended for a particular discipline?
 
For German book 1 status a stallion has to have a full pedigree as per breed book. Then a stallion has to pass the grading (which we define as exterior grading) and he then has to meet the performance requirements as per breed book.
Only then he will get life time approval for stallion book 1.
As to different German Warmblood Books it depends on their individual regulations to meet the performance requirements.
As to age of stallions for performance tests: This is why luckily we do not have the age deduction anymore.
Nevertheless, please do not forget that Warmblood Sporthorses are bred for performance. The competition classes and the selection system starts very young. Nobody is compelled to agree with this, but also, nobody is compelled to be a stallion owner.

Nevertheless, horse breeding is business and professional stallion owners have a strong interest in using a stallion at stud asap.


Here is another article that might help you to understand:



Stallion Book 1 vs. Stallion Book 2



Are you confused about the difference between Stallion Book I and II stallions? A little bit of history, and a clear distinction between the terms FULLY APPROVED (or LIFE TIME LICENCED) and GRADED, will shed some light on what has been a confusing issue for many people.

Up until 1990, only fully approved (gekoert) stallions were allowed for breeding use in Germany. German government laws forbid breeding with any other stallions. Since 1990 the rules of breeding of livestock have changed, and now follow the rules of the European Community. Since then there are two different books: Stallion Book I and Stallion Book II. What's the difference?

For a stallion to be in Stallion Book I, his sire must be Stallion Book I or eligible. He also must get a positive result regarding his exterior grading (inspection) to be entered into this book.

As far as Stallion Book II: a stallion gets GRADED (NOT APPROVED) in this book when:
1. The sire is not in Book I or not eligible for this book.
2. And/or the dam is not in Main Mare Book/Mare Book I or not eligible.
3 The score at inspection is less than required.

Stallions also may be placed in Stud Book II if they have not yet completed their 30/70-day test, and while waiting for the completion of their performance requirements. These stallions are eligible for upgrading to Stud Book I upon final completion of performance requirements.

The following statement applies only to Stud Book II - The word APPROVED should not be used or interpreted in any context with regard to stallions GRADED in Stallion Book II.

So why get your stallion graded into Stallion Book II? Only the offspring of approved stallions in Stallion Book I and graded stallions in Stallion Book II are eligible to receive sire's full pedigree documentation in the passport. The advantages to breeders from the change to this system are:

1. All breeders and stallion owners are now free to make bloodline choices which were not possible under the previous rules.
2. All historical pedigree information is documented in the breeding.

The grading/listing of stallions into a stallion book 2 is no invention of the ZfdP, but ZfdP does follow the rules of the European Community.
 
Last edited:
happy_talk said:
so as a young stallion, targets are
2.5 yr - licensing
end of year 3 - performance tested (can you view all performance test results- pass & fail?). 70 day = full license. 30 day then need bundeschampionate/competition results too as 4-5yr old?

do both dressage & jumping bred stallions get tested in performance tests for both disciplines? is the license a general stud book license- or recommended for a particular discipline?
Click to expand...

Yes, results can be seen on the FN website - www.fn-dokr.de - sorry, in German only.

Yes, dressage and jumping bred stallions get tested for both disciplines. Generally a sporthorse should have allround qualities, even if he is a specialist. Furthermore, the testing does also contain a cross-country course.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top