Requirements for Stallions
Requirements for Stallions
Breeding candidates must be at least 15.3 hands tall and approach perfection in conformation and movement before permission is granted to enter the 70 Day Central Test. Jury Inspection is held for 2 1/2 year old colts each January, where only the finest few are chosen for advancement to the second elimination round in February. Nearly 100 colts will be presented, but less than a dozen will survive the scrutiny of these two preliminary appraisals, for the slightest flaw will result in elimination. These elite colts will then undergo comprehensive health exams, semen quality evaluations and extensive X-rays to determine if they are worthy of final advancement to the 70 Day Central Test.
The Central Test includes 70 days of training, observation and strict trial for these selected colts stabled together at the Central Training Facility. Show Horse motion, attitude and ability, character, the "will to work", temperament and training progress is constantly evaluated, monitored and recorded by a panel of Judges. Any deficiencies, undesirable actions or stall vices results in immediate rejection.
After withstanding this reassessment, an average of 3 colts are admitted annually to the Approved Breeding Stallion List. All Central Test category scores, judges comments, test results and even x-ray reports are published, assuring only the highest caliber, completely sound and most suitable colts will enter the Dutch Harness Horse breed as Approved Stallions.
Importantly, the scrutiny does not end once a stallion has become approved. Continuing the Tuigpaard breeder' goal of constant progression, approved stallions must pass further tests in performance competitions, and later, on the basis of offspring they have sired.
After one year, a random sample group of the first foal crop is inspected by strict government judges. The foals must demonstrate that their sire exerts a positive influence on the breed, and a foal evaluation report is published. If the foals do not meet the requirements, the stallion will be removed from the Approved Sire List.
After another two years, the progeny are again inspected. When an Approved Stallion reaches 6 or 7, the performance of his foals is a determining factor for ongoing approval.
A
published stallion index provides an achievement-
based measurement for each Approved Dutch Harness
Horse Breeding Stallion. These stallions must
constantly prove themselves in competition, and are
annually assessed on whether they compliment the
continually developing breed.
Any stallion not fulfilling these requirements is
removed from the list.
Without approval, a stallion will not be allowed to breed.
Sires
which have clearly demonstrated breed improvement
ability over the years, qualify for the predicate,
or title, of "keur".
The highest qualification predicate is "preferent"
an honor bestowed on only the greatest progenitors,
and rarely awarded.
