The following article (reprinted with permission) appeared in the December 2004 issue of The Contact, published by the Nebraska Dressage Association:
NDA Members Enjoy Stallion Performance Test Finals at Paxton Farms in Batavia, Ohio, November 11-14
by Angie McClelland
NDA members Peggy Harris, Sally Queal, and Laureen Van Norman, and myself recently attended the 100-Day Stallion Performance Test finals, held at Paxton Farm in Batavia, Ohio, November 11-14.
Besides having a general interest in sporthorse breeding, the Nebraska contingent was there to support Kansas breeder and clinician, Jennifer Mosier, and her stallion, Galeno Tyme (Granulit x Geranda/Barsoi). Galeno Tyme is a five-year-old grey German Oldenburg stallion, foaled in Germany and purchased by Jennifer as a two-year old.
For more than 20 young sporthorse stallions, the three-day finale was the culmination of 100 days' rigorous training and evaluation. Performance testing is an important licensing requirement for the major warmblood registries; the results of a stallion's testing can greatly influence his future breeding career (see sidebar for further explanation of 100-day testing). The stallions at the testing represented several warmblood registries, including the Belgian, Hanoverian, and Oldenburg warmblood associations.
The "Galeno Tyme Fan Club" was not disappointed in the scores announced at the end of the testing, as our favorite was also the judges' favorite. Galeno Tyme was awarded a record-setting score of 155 points (152-jumping/144-dressage). No other stallion has scored as high in a North American testing. Congratulations to Jeni and Galeno!
Rain and cold temperatures for most of the finale made it a bit of an ordeal for the sporthorse enthusiasts gathered to watch the young stallions perform. However, armed with hot coffee and many warm layers, we braved the elements (and hard bleacher seats) to watch the jumping, basic gaits, dressage, rideability, and cross country tests. We dressage enthusiasts found it especially interesting to watch the guest dressage riders—Oliver Luze (of Germany), Susan Dutta, and George Williams—briefly ride each stallion and evaluate him on his rideability.
Weather aside, we all agreed that watching the testing was a wonderful experience. The beautiful facilities at Paxton Farm, great horses (and great "horse people") all made the trip a success.
--[SIDEBAR]--
What is Stallion Performance Testing?
Performance testing is part of the licensing process required to enter a stallion into a warmblood registry. The 100-day test judges young stallions (generally 3-5 years old) under standard conditions. This allows the registries to make an early determination of a stallion's quality.
Begun in 1986, stallion performance testing in North America is relatively new. However, it follows the performance testing model that has been used successfully in Europe for more that 50 years. Testing is organized by the Federation of North American Sport Horse Registries, which is comprised of several North American warmblood registries. Because of the limited number of sporthorse stallions in the United States, the Federation only holds testings every two years.
During the testing, the stallions are handled and trained by a team of professional riders; for the first 97 days, the stallions are evaluated and scored by the Training Leader. For the final three days, a panel of judges and guest riders (with jumping and dressage expertise) are brought in to evaluate the stallions. The final testing includes jumping (free and under saddle), basic gaits, dressage, cross country, and general health/ability to perform. Besides their physical capabilities, stallions are also scored on traits such as character, temperament, rideability, and willingness to work.
The test format is not a competition; instead, each stallion is tested to see if he can meet required performance standards. Stallions are given numerical scores in each of the categories listed above and a final score (with a jumping and dressage index) is calculated according to a standardized formula. This score determines whether the stallion will be granted a permanent breeding license with his registry. Required minimum scores vary by registry. For example, the American Hanoverian Society requires a provisionally licensed stallion to receive a score of 90 points, whereas the ISR-Oldenburg Registry requires a minium score of 80 points.