Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association - Inspection
 




CWHBA Inspections: Mare & Stallion

The inspection evaluations are an important tool in the CWHBA efforts to meet their breeding aim to produce a well bred Warmblood horse suitable for Olympic and related Equestrian sports. The Application for Stud Book Entry and Evaluation are on one tri-part form. You must be a current Annual Member of CWHBA.

The following inspection criteria apply:

  1. Breed & Sex Type
  2. Quality of Conformation *
  3. Correctness of Gaits
  4. Swing & Elasticity of Gaits
  5. Walk
  6. General Impression & Development
  7. Jumping - stallion only (will be scored for both scope and technique; then the score is averaged)
  8. Gallop - stallion only
*Conformation (# 2) - is calculated as an average of sub-scores for head, neck, saddle position, frame, forelegs & hindlegs. The average, with decimel, will be carried over to the main category.

Scoring System:
Each category is judged on a point system out of 10:

10 excellent
9 very good 
8 good
7 fairly good
6 satisfactory		 5 sufficient
4 insufficient
3 rather bad
2 bad
1 very bad

For mares: - the overall assessment is reached by adding all the categories (1 - 6) and dividing by 6.
For stallions: - the overall assessment is reached by adding all the categories (1 - 8) and dividing by 8.

Stallion Inspections:

All stallions to be bred must be entered in the Stallion division of the Studbook. Consistent with international selection procedures, approval includes: pedigree requirements, conformation inspection, 100 day/performance testing and offspring evaluation.

Eligible stallions include:

  1. All tested stallions of recognized Warmblood breeding.
  2. CWHBA registered, licensed & tested stallions.
  3. A limited number of stallions having desirable pedigree or performance records, i.e. racing Thoroughbreds.
  4. Warmblood stallions which have significant results in sport competition.
    The CWHBA has a two step approval system involving conformation and performance.

STEP ONE: CWHBA Stallion Licensing inspection

- To be licensed a stallion must reach at least 7 points overall and no less than 5 points in any individual category. A license is valid for 2 years.
- ** Within 2 years the stallion must then complete the 2nd phase, which is the performance aspect of the approval.
- If, for any reason, a stallion is not able to complete the performance aspect of the approval process within the time alloted, the owner must apply in writing to the Stud Book Committee prior to the November 30th verification date and will be required to pay a fee (as prescribed by the association) to extend his license.

Licensing Under Saddle Evaluation - Dressage Suitability:

Stallions will be shown individually or in groups depending on circumstances. Stallion owners are to provide their own rider/s.

A few minutes is given at the beginning for warm up. Riders will be given directions by judges to demonstrate trot, lengthened trot, canter, lengthened canter, walk, & sitting trot usually in that order.

Only simple figures will be required including large circles, change of rein across the diagonal, space permitting a three loop serpentine or change of rein from one circle to another. The evaluation is designed to assess the quality of the gaits under saddle with emphasis on suitability for sport competition and rideability which includes attitude, comfort of gaits, responsiveness to aids, acceptance of the bridle and willingness.

Licensing Under Saddle Evaluation - Jumping Suitability:

A small course of not less than three jumps, preferably four or five, including an oxer and a combination is required. The course should not be designed to frighten the horses but to show their jumping abilities to the best advantage. 

Heights of fences will be 3'3" to 3'6" ( 0.91m to 1.07m) but may be increased in consultation with the stallion owner. The stallions will be asked to demonstrate over the same fences several times. The evaluation is focused on scope and jumping technique under saddle but rideability with respect to boldness and control will be factored in to the overall rideability score.

STEP TWO: Performance Requirements
The performance requirements are defined in section 8.2.1 d) of the Stud Book Regulations as follows: 
"d) which fulfill one of the following performance requirements;

1. Have a total result of not less than 70 index in the test for suitability as a riding horse at a testing establishment for stallion performance which has been sanctioned by the Board.

2. or have been placed in the first three (3)

For Approved Riding Horse Tests please contact the Office. CWHBA now hosts their own Short Test. The Federation of North American Sporthorse Registries hosts the 100 day test in the USA.

Stallion owners who intend to pursue sport requirements must advise the Stud Book committee of their intention in writing, and apply annually prior to the November 30th verification date, including with that application complete competition results and training program in order for the stallion license to be renewed each year after the initial two year licensing period. This is on a case by case and will require payment of an annual fee (as prescribed by the association) to extend the license.

Progeny Evaluations:
Further evaluation of stallions involves progeny inspections, Section 8.2.3 of the Stud Book Regulations.
"Judgment of progeny of entered stallions: Six years at the latest, after entry in the Stallion Book, judgement on the conformation, breeding and competition successes of the progeny of all stallions shall be taken into consideration by the Judging Commission for Stallions.

If it is ascertained from the judgment of at least 15 progeny that the breeding value of a stallion does not justify entry in the Stallion Book then the stallion is to be struck out of the Stallion Book."

Special Cases:
Stallions which may not have had the opportunity to meet the performance requirements, due to age or injury, may be approved under a special provision, section 8.2.4 b):
"b) may be approved by examination of the conformation and or competition success of 15 or more of their progeny.
If it is ascertained by the Judging Commission for Stallions that the progeny are a significant improvement over their dams and that they demonstrate significant competition success to be of breeding merit then the stallion may be approved by the Stud Book Committee...... "
*** Reactivation of this clause was approved with the 1999 Constitutional amendments and will be in effect with the revised Constitution.

Important Notes:

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