Stallion Grading

Rules and regulations for Grading a Stallion into theWarmblood Breeders' Studbook UK and

The British Sportshorse Register

No Colt or Stallion already eligible for the WBS Stallion Grading is eligible for the BSHR Stallion Grading unless transferred to that section by the judges.

Stallions wishing to enter the BSHR Stallion Grading must have a minimum of 25% Graded Warmblood in it’s pedigree, or have at least one graded BSHR parent.

All Stallions must be registered with the BWBS/WBS-UK or BSHR and have a WR number before entry to the Stallion Grading can be accepted.

No Albino’s or Cremello’s are eligible for entry.

All Stallions must loose jump in the jumping lane provided by the show organisers. This is solely at the owners / handlers own risk.

All Stallions must be plaited with white tape and properly turned out. It is recommended that horses are fit not fat.

All Stallions are to be shown in a single snaffle bridle without rollers or side reigns.

All handlers are to be dressed entirely in white or navy blue trousers and white or navy shirt or jumper. Classic dark blue denim jeans without fashion trim will be permitted. Running shoes are advisable. NO breed society or stud logo’s except for those of the WBS will be permitted.

Preferably, colts should be presented at grading when 2yrs old. These colts will be in a class only with other colts of the same age. Colts, who in the opinion of the judges are still maturing , but are of grading standard, may be granted temporary covering permission for one or two years pending re-examination of themselves or their foals.

Stallions 3 years of age may be in an open class with mature stallions, these will be subject to the higher entry fee unless a veterinary certificate is produced stating they were unable to attend grading at the required age, due to accident, sickness or injury. Imported stallions should provide proof of their date of entry into the UK.

Young Stallions with any permanent disability or unsoundness will not be accepted for stallion grading. Older PROVEN Stallions who are unsound through permanent injury, will be allowed to come forward for assessment. A full and complete veterinary report must accompany these entries. Absolutely no possibility of hereditary unsoundness (navicular, side bone, ring bone etc) will be entertained. Covering permission will only be granted if the judges feel the horses exceptional quality / competition record or pedigree warrant it.

Young stallions with vices such as crib biting, weaving or wind sucking will not be accepted for WBS or BSHR stallion grading. It is accepted that older graded covering stallions may evidence stable vices and may be accepted subject to meeting other criteria.

All stallions will be checked at random during their stay at the grading by a WBS official for any sign of these vices.

A veterinary examination by a WBS approved vet is mandatory before stallions are allowed to come forward for grading. It is the responsibility of the owner of the horse to organise this and pay their own account. The vetting must take place not more than two months before the date of the grading. The vet should forward the form directly to the WBS grading secretary and this document remains the property of the WBS.

If any doubts arise from the vetting, x-rays or endoscopy may be conducted, at the owners expense, before grading status can be sought or granted.

Stallions who pass grading will have to pay an additional DNA typing fee of £50 at the end of the show to complete the grading process. The DNA record will be filed with the animal health trust and is the property of the WBS.

Random testing for drugs, steroids, pain killers or tranquillisers may be taken at the same time as DNA testing. A positive test may result in a successful stallion having his grading revoked.

Stallion grading judges will normally consist of two or more persons, at least one of whom will be an established warmblood judge from Europe.

Stallions will normally need to attend WBS / BSHR Grading only once. However, in some circumstances stallions may have certain restrictions laid on them by the judges as part of their critique. These may include re-appearing at grading again at a later date or having a progeny inspection.

Stallions who are granted 2 years' covering permission will receive covering permission only for the period allocated. During that time a progeny inspection must be carried out with the stallion owner being responsible to present at least 3 offspring for inspection at the annual stallion grading. Foals who are conceived during a 3rd season will not automatically receive registration papers. This will be pending the result of the progeny inspection.

All stallions must be a minimum height of 153cms (15hh) on the day of the grading. The BWBS reserve the right to have any animal re-measured.

Stallions are allowed to be shod.

The judges reserve the right to grade any horse entered in the WBS stallion grading into the BSHR instead, if they consider it more suitable.

To remain a currently graded stallion entered into the WBS / BSHR stud book, all stallions must conform to the current rules for graded stallions These include:

a) Issuing only ONE societies covering certificate:

b) Supplying CEM certificates for the current breeding season by 1st April

c) Providing the WBS with the seasons complete covering returns before 15th November of each covering year.

Any stallion owners failing to fulfil these requirements are liable to have their stallions removed from The WBS or BSHR stud book and either be fined or required to attend full grading again in order to retain their previous status.

Foals conceived before the date given on a clear CEM certificate will not be eligible for registration papers.

All stallions entering the grading will be required to be stabled in the permanent boxes allocated to them for the period of the grading. Any dangerous misbehaviour by the stallion in or out of the stable will be reported to the judges who will take such reports into consideration when assessing the animal as a suitable breeding stallion. Dangerous behaviour by any stallion in public will require the animal to be removed until under proper control.

Original passports or documents will be stamped with the stallions grading results and returned to the owner by registered post 4 to 6 weeks after grading.

Please see entry form for fees. All entries must be accompanied by the correct entry fee and the stallions original passport / documents.

All cheques must be cleared before the date of the show, late entries will only be accepted with a cash payment.

It is deemed a condition of entry that no liability whatsoever for any damages, accident or injury (whether real or implied) to persons, vehicles, equipment, business or horses is accepted in any way by the British Warm-Blood Horses Company Ltd t/a either the WBS or the BSHR judges or officials in connection with the Stallion Grading Show. Owners, exhibitors and their representatives must agree to abide by the rules and regulations laid down for the grading show and entry into the WBS and BSHR stud book.

Stallions who fail WBS or BSHR Grading can return for re-assessment but only if their competition record warrants it. One of the following must be achieved:

GRADE A SHOWJUMPER: ADVANCED EVENTER: ADVANCED DRESSAGE.

Stallions with a current competition record need to supply verification of results.

Imported stallions currently graded and in order within their society of origin, may be accepted into the WBS Breed Society Stud Book without attending all phases of the grading. Only recognised breed societies will be accepted eg: Hann, Holst, Trak, KWPN, Danish etc. Please apply for details.

This rule applies only to 2 to 4 year old stallions who are in order for covering abroad within a recognised breed society, but have not attended WBS grading.

While the stallion continues to be in order abroad for stud, he will be eligible to attend a WBS Presentation Grading class, run in conjunction with the annual WBS Stallion Grading Show. Having attended this class and complied with soundness and WBS rules, he will then be entered into the WBS Stallion Grading Stud Book. A veterinary certificate not older than 8 months is required.

Each Stallion with its Initial Licensing granted abroad, will have its foals eligible for registration for one year only after passing the Preliminary Grading Inspection and will only qualify for full grading when passing the ridden performance test abroad.

The stallion must then have appeared at a WBS Presentation class or no further WBS papers will be issued on his foals. Stallions who are no longer in order abroad or have waited longer than 2 years, will be required to attend the full grading process.

Stallions with proven International ability who are graded in their country of origin, may be invited into the WBS or BSHR without the need to attend grading.

This will be at the discretion of the committee.

The judges decision is always final.

. Current membership of the WBS is mandatory for all owners wishing to enter either the WBS or BSHR Stallion Grading.

Stallion Grading Information from:

Mrs Lynne Crowden 01497 851318

OR

Mrs S Wason 01208 832940

Registration and Membership Office

WBS Administration Office

Goblaen House, Rhosgoch, Nr Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3JT