TOTALLY confused by AES stallion grading :S

I

Ionadiamond

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 February 2012
Messages
103
Visit site
Assuming he passes the vetting on Tuesday I will be the new owner of a rising 3 KWPN registered stallion by Florencio and out of a Flemmingh mare. As nice as it would be to get him graded with the KWPN studbook I can't afford to take him to Holland and I wouldn't know what they are looking for so could be a huge waste of money. I'd like to get him graded with AES, but even after reading all the information on the website I'm still very confused about the whole thing.

Does he have to be registered? Do I have to be a member? As a 3 yo I understand from what I've read he has to be trotted up in-hand and loose jumped? When are the gradings and where are they usually held? Is this really the best studbook to grade a stallion with?

I think I also read that the sire has to be graded with the AES (this may have been a different studbook.. I've read so many). I have a full history of his breeding, all excellent stallions, but as far as I'm aware none are registered with AES.

I'm not worried about the presentation etc. as I have a lot of showing experience, just clarification about how the whole system works!!

Thanks
 
You will need to have him overstamped with the AES studbook I imagine which is not hard at all...you pay a nominal fee and send in you passport...the register it and stamp it and return it to you. Ring them and have a word and they can advise you on it all.
 
AES usually take any stallion they think is good. As he is out of Florencio, a very much famous sire and Flemmingh, known for his good character, they'll take him anyday.

KWPN grading is a waste of money if you don't have a special one. They are very much politics and will find things to throw your stallion out of the grading.
 
Thanks guys, so I guess the way forward would be to get his passport overstamped and enter him for grading in April so he can cover my mares this season if he gets licensed.

Four Seasons: I've heard KWPN is very strict, which is why I thought it would be a waste of money unless I fully understood what sort of thing they like (and even then not a risk I'd like to take!) I went to see him for his Flemmingh/Florencio breeding and (subject to vetting) have bought him for his movement so I have no doubt he will get graded with AES!
 
If he grades I think they'll overstamp passport then. They have a website and facebook page, Louise is really helpful, give her a call.
 
Ionadiamond said:
Thanks guys, so I guess the way forward would be to get his passport overstamped and enter him for grading in April so he can cover my mares this season if he gets licensed.

Four Seasons: I've heard KWPN is very strict, which is why I thought it would be a waste of money unless I fully understood what sort of thing they like (and even then not a risk I'd like to take!) I went to see him for his Flemmingh/Florencio breeding and (subject to vetting) have bought him for his movement so I have no doubt he will get graded with AES!
Click to expand...

You are also too late for the KWPN for this year as the grading has already taken place and (unlike some studbooks) I don't think they allow entries for 4 year olds unless they have done spectatculalry well in a 30 or 70 day performance test held by one of the (rather limited) number of other WBFSH studbooks they approve of.

I also think that rather than the AES (which takes place at Addington in April and the autumn), if you are planning a dressage career for your young stallion (must be with Florencio and Flemmigh behind him), then grading with either WBSUK or SHBGB might be a better career move as the AES is mainly a showjumping one and 3 year old stallions that are successful poetntial sires are usually given Registered status (ie can only cover a limited number of owners mares per year) rather than the more prestigious Licenced or Approved levels of grading, which are reserved for stallions with more proven competition records. NB: This Registered staus is not to be confused with the AES registered status that goes with the initial overstamping of the horse's KWPN papers which just means that his pedigree has been recorded rather than he has been given permission to breed by the AES.

SHBGB (takes place in March and late autumn and will be at Bury Farm near Leighton Buzzard from now on I believe) is often also quite reluctant to give breeding status to a young unproven animal but is more likely to do so than they AES and will then ask for him to return for a reassessment when he is older.

OTOH, the WBSUK grading (which takes place in autumn at Hartpury College) is far more clued up on dressage bloodlines and often gives breeding permission for 2 1/2 and 3 year old stallions without any problem (but possibly limited to 3 years pending successful competition results). This may well be becuase they tend to use European judges who have both the experience and the confidence to be able to assess the potential of very young stallions prior to any performance test so it could be the best route for you to go. However, I doubt whether they back regsiter for coverings that take place before graded status has been granted but it might be worth contacting them to find out.
 
Ciss, you are quite right that AES have more jumpers than dressage, but nevertheless they are grading dressage stallions too, just as shb will sometimes grade a jumper but are more showing and eventing known.
 
Good luck with your plans. Can only give you the European view of the AES - it's not taken seriously. It seems to be the book to go in if you can't get in anywhere else. And yes, I know I'll be shot down in flames for this comment but am speaking from experience so am prepared for the flack.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top