KWPN-NA

Standards & Procedures

Conformation

Stands in rectangular model

Is long lined with a proportional build

Has an uphill build

Has long legs

Has a light head/neck connection

Has a long neck that is raised and arched with muscling in the topline

Has a strongly built and strongly muscled back/loin formation

Has a correct and hard foundation

Is attractive - Stands in rectangular model

Is long lined with a proportional build

Has a horizontal build

Has a long neck that is slightly raised and arched with muscling in the topline

Has a strongly built and strongly muscled back/loin formation

Has a correct and hard foundation

Is attractive - Stands in rectangular model

Is long lined with correct proportional conformation

Has a more horizontal build

Has quality, substance and soundness

Has a long neck that is arched with muscling in the topline

Has a strongly built and strongly muscled back/loin formation

Has a correct and hard foundation

Is attractive with a small head

Movement

The walk is a pure ‘four time’ gait that is active and has suppleness and impulsion

The trot is a pure ‘two time’ gait that is active and has suppleness and impulsion, balance and self-carriage

The canter is a pure ‘three time’ gait that is active, light with suppleness, impulsion balance and self-carriage

Can lengthen and shorten easily in movement, without losing rhythm, tact, balance or self carriage

Rises in the front

Has good posture

Is light footed

Shows flexion in the joints, engagement of the hindquarters, freedom from the shoulder with a slight lift of the knee - The walk is a regular ‘four time’ gait that is active and has suppleness and impulsion

The trot is a regular ‘two time’ gait, that is active and has suppleness and impulsion, balance and self carriage

The canter is a pure ‘three time’ gait, that is active, light with suppleness, impulsion, balance and self carriage

Can lengthen and shorten easily in the canter without losing rhythm, tact, balance or self carriage

The canter is light and balanced without making much front

Remains more horizontal in the body - The walk is a regular ‘four time’ gait, that is active and has suppleness and impulsion

The trot is a regular ‘two time’ gait, that is active and has suppleness and impulsion, balance and self carriage

The canter is a pure ‘three time’ gait, that is active and light with suppleness, impulsion, balance and self carriage

Should be obedient, alert, responsive and move freely.

The pace should remain the same throughout the course.

Jumping

Is able to collect strongly during the last canter stride before the jump and is able to place the hindleg far forward under the body in order to get a powerful takeoff

Leaves the ground quickly with power

Jumps with an upward wither with the highest point over the middle of the jump

Brings the underarm above the horizontal and folds the cannon under the underarm

Bascule: brings the neck down during the jump and the rump follows the direction of the neck opens the hindquarter

Athletic ability: is supple and can develop forward motion over the jump, lands lightly and canters off easily, is careful, is efficient and has much scope

Jumps with front legs folded high and evenly

The head and neck should stretch out and down to insure a well-balanced jump

Body and legs stay straight so the horse stays in the middle of the jump.

Leaves the ground smoothly

The horse should clear each jump confidently, easily and in good style.

Lands lightly and canters off smoothly

Has a calm steady rhythm

Character

Has a willing, hardworking and honest character

Is intelligent

Has the will to perform

Is easy to handle

Reacts quickly to the aids - Has courage

Has a willing, hardworking and honest character

Is intelligent, looks at and evaluates the jump

Has the will to perform

Is easy to handle

Reacts quickly to aids - Has a willing, hardworking and honest character

Has a calm, brave temperament

Is intelligent

Has the will to perform

Is easy to handle

Reacts quickly and smoothly to aids

Dressage/Gelders Horse

Keuring, Predicates and IBOP

The upper beam score for movement of a dressage horse consists of separate scores for walk, trot, canter and self-carriage (on a scale from 40 to 100 points, in increments of five). These scores will be marked on the score sheet. The score for movement in the upper beam will be an average of the scores for walk trot, canter and self-carriage (in increments of five).

The lower beam score will consist of 28 conformation and movement characteristics.

Studbook and Star

Horses will be shown in-hand on a hard surface and free in an arena or cage. Horses are divided into groups of up to eight horses. A) Each horse is individually presented in-hand on the hard surface; 1) stood up with left side facing the jury, 2) walked away and back in a straight line, 3) trotted away and back in a straight line, and 4) stood up with right side facing the jury. B) Next the group, staying in order, will be shown one at a time in free movement; including trot and canter. C) The group will come back as a whole for a walk around in the ring, presentation of premiums and comments on the horses from the jury. More detailed information will be available in the keuring booklets.

	Height	Conformation	Movement
			Walk • Trot • Canter • Self- carriage
Studbook	158	Minimum 50	Minimum average of 50
Star	160	Minimum 70	Minimum average of 75

Exemption from Free Movement
A horse may be excused from free movement if:

The horse has a sport predicate in dressage. The upper beam score for movement will not be filled in.
The horse passed an IBOP or EPTM (NL only). The upper beam score for movement will consist of the individual scores for gaits from the dressage IBOP (self-carriage and balance from the test will be used for ‘carriage’ in the upper beam. If the horse has passed an older IBOP the score given for ‘talent for dressage’ will be the score used in the upper beam.

Keur Eligible

After the studbook inspection all star mares will return to the ring and be shown in-hand. Mares will be stood up, walked and trotted. The mares will start by walking as a group (maximum of 15 in the ring). Next the mares will return individually and: stand up in front of the jury, walk straight away from the jury and turn right to go around the oval. To finish all mares will return for results and information. Placement will be on the basis of conformation and the walk and trot shown in-hand. The canter score from free movement will also be taken into account. Being declared ‘keur eligible’ is a step toward the keur predicate.

Keur

Mare must be keur eligible in the dressage breeding direction or be re-presented for conformation.
Current IBOP: a minimum of 75 points total (previously 70 points), OR
Performance: a minimum of 1 point at Z1 (L3T1) dressage or 5 points at M (Training) eventing with not more than 10 penalty points.

Sport

Minimum of 1 point at Z2 (L3T2) dressage, OR
Minimum of 5 points at Z eventing (Preliminary).

IBOP
Important: The dressage IBOP is performed in a small arena, 20 x 40 meters.

Part 1 – Individually

1. A— Enter at working trot, Between D and X— Walk, between X and G halt and salute
2. Proceed working trot, track right at C
3. A— serpentine with three loops width of arena
4. From B to K— change rein in working trot
5. Between M and C— medium walk, between H and F change rein at free walk
6. Between C and M— working trot
7. E— circle right 20m, one time around, at E track right in working canter
8. A— circle right 20m, one time around
10. Between C and M working trot
11. Between K and H medium trot
12. Between M and K change rein in working trot
13. B— 20m circle allowing the horse to stretch the neck.
14. C— walk.
15. E— working trot
16. Between K and A working canter left
17. E— 20m circle one time around
18. Between F and M medium canter
19. Between H and E working trot 20. Between F to H change lead and extend a few strides
21. B— working walk
22. A— down center line, between D and X halt and salute, exit arena in a free walk.

Part 2 – As a group
After the above test, horses will come back in groups of up to three horses, age contemporaries together. The jury will be inside or next to the ring. The jury will give directions to the rider and evaluate the horses anew. This portion is like and counts for the DG Bar Cup. This portion will take approximately ten minutes. Horses will be asked for the following:

Walk: Working walk, free walk on a long rein

Trot: Working trot, stretch the neck at the trot on a 20m circle
Canter: Working canter, medium canter
Movements: Tempo changes (three year olds) + leg yields (four year olds) + shoulder in (five year olds)

The jury may deviate from the above apropos the ability and training of the horse.

Scoring
Walk (2x), trot (2x), canter (2x), suppleness, self carriage and balance, rideability/ workability and talent for dressage. Maximum score is 100, passing score is 75 points.

Jumper/Hunter/Gelders

Keuring, Predicates and IBOP
The upper beam score for jumping consists of scores for the canter, reflexes, technique and scope (on a scale from 40 to 100 points, in increments of five). These scores will be marked on the scoresheet. The score for jumping in the upper beam is an average of the scores for canter, reflexes, technique and scope (in increments of five).

The lower beam score will consist of 36 conformation, movement and jumping characteristics.

Studbook and Star
Horses will be shown in-hand on a hard surface and free in an arena or cage. Horses are divided into groups of up to eight horses. A) Each horse is individually presented in-hand on the hard surface; 1) stood up with left side facing the jury, 2) walked away and back in a straight line, 3) trotted away and back in a straight line, and 4) stood up with right side facing the jury. B) Next the group, staying in order, will be shown one at a time in free movement and free jumping. C) The group will come back as a whole for a walk around in the ring, presentation of premiums and comments on the horses from the jury. More detailed information will be available in the keuring booklets.

	Height	Conformation	Jumping Gaits	Movement
			Walk • Trot	Canter • Reflexes • Technique • Scope
Studbook	158	Minimum 50	Minimum average of 50	Minimum average of 50
Star	160	Minimum 70	Minimum average of 60	Minimum average of 75

Free Jumping Required
Free jumping is required for all horses shown in the jumper breeding direction. Nursing mares are allowed to participate in free jumping as long as the foal is not present in the arena. If they do not participate in free jumping they may be accepted into the studbook but cannot receive a predicate. A mare may be accepted into the studbook on the basis of conformation and movement. If the mare’s score is sufficient for star and she later passes a jumping IBOP or has sufficient jumping sport results, she can then receive the star predicate.

Exemption from Free Jumping
A horse may be excused from free jumping if:

The horse has a sport predicate in jumping, eventing (jumping) or hunters and meets the other requirements for star. The upper beam score will not be filled in. The horse can be accepted for studbook if it receives a minimum of 50 points for conformation and 50 for the walk and trot. The horse is eligible for the star predicate with 70 points for conformation and an average of 60 points for the walk/ trot.
The horse passed an IBOP or EPTM (NL only). The upper beam score for jumping will consist of the individual scores for canter, reflexes, technique and scope from the jumping portion of the IBOP. If the horse has passed an older IBOP the score given for ‘talent for jumping’ will be the score used for the jumping upper beam.

Free Jumping Arena
Free jumping will take place in a fenced arena (max. 20 x 40 meters) or in a cage within an arena (min. 15 x 30 meters). Mirrors and reflective surfaces must be covered. A line of jumps will be built along a long side. The last jump must be moveable in order to be adjustable for distance. Poles must be a minimum of three meters in length. The jumps need to be safe and adjustable for all heights.

Only the jury has the right to change the heights and distances of the jumps. Jump 1 and Jump 2 are as described below. Jump 3 will start as a vertical and be raised incrementally to an oxer. The maximum height of the oxer for three year olds is 1.20m with a maximum width of 1.00m.

1st jump – cross bar; H 70– 80cm
2nd jump – vertical; H 80– 100cm
3rd jump – oxer; H 80– 90, 95– 100cm
Horses will be asked to jump this arrangement several times. Heights will be raised at the discretion of the jury. Jumps may not be moved except at the direction of the jury.

Keur Eligible
After the studbook inspection all star mares will return to the ring and be shown in-hand. Mares will be stood up, walked and trotted. The mares will first walk as a group (maximum of 15 in the ring). Next the mares will return individually and: stand up in front of the jury, walk straight away from the jury and turn right to go around the oval. To finish all mares will return for results and information. Placement will be on the basis of conformation and the walk and trot shown in-hand. The score for the canter and free jumping will also be taken into account. Being declared ‘keur eligible’ is a step toward the keur predicate.

Keur

Mare must be keur eligible in Jumper/ Hunter direction or be re-presented for conformation.
IBOP: a minimum of 75 points total,
OR
Performance: a minimum of 5 points at M level jumping (1.20m or 4'), 5 points at Second Year Green Hunter or 5 points at M level eventing (Training). Sport
Minimum of 6 points at Z level jumping (1.30m or 4'3"),
OR
Minimum of 5 points at Regular Working Hunter
OR
Minimum of 5 points at Z level eventing (Prelim) with no more than 20 penalty points.

IBOP
Jumper and Hunter horses will jump the same course but will be judged differently by type.

Arena sizes:

20 x 40 meters for warm-up and free jumping.
20 x 60 meters for jumping under saddle and showing of gaits.
One or two horses of the same age will be in the ring at one time. Horses will take turns jumping one line at a time as designated by the jury.

On the Flat:

Horses will enter at the trot and show the trot over a number of ground poles tracking both to the left and to the right, including a change of direction and a few steps of extended trot. Next horses will show the canter (to the left and to the right) with changes in tempo. The walk will be shown after jumping under saddle (working walk and free walk).

Jumping – At the trot:

Trotting pole and X (vertical) 2x
Liine of trot pole, X (vertical), oxer with one canter stride, oxer with three canter strides

Jumping – At the canter:

Single X (vertical), height dependent on age
Single oxer (rising)

Jumping – Free jumping after jumping under saddle (three and four year olds only):

Line of three jumps as described above in ‘Free Jumping’.
Jumps must be flanked by rails so horses can’t jump out.

Scoring
Walk, trot, canter, reflexes, technique, scope and talent for jumping. The following traits are counted in the evaluation: canter (2x), reflexes (2x), scope, attitude, rideability/ workability and talent for jumping.

Harness/Gelders

Keuring, Predicates and IBOP

The upper beam score for Harness horses consists of scores for conformation, movement and general impression (on a scale from 40 to 100 points). These scores will be marked on the score sheet.
The lower beam score will consist of 24 conformation and movement characteristics.

Studbook and Star
Horses will be shown in-hand on a hard surface and in an arena. Horses are divided into groups of up to eight horses. A) Horses are presented individually in-hand on the hard surface; B) Horses are presented in-hand on the oval on grass or sand. C) All horses will come back as a group for a walk around in the ring, presentation of premiums and comments on the horses from the jury. More detailed information will be available in the keuring booklets.

	Height	Conformation	Movement
Studbook	158	Minimum 50	Minimum average of 50
Star	160	Minimum 68	Minimum 140 overall

Keur Eligible
Harness mares are not inspected for keur eligibility.

Keur

Mares must be star.
IBOP: a minimum of 75 points total,
OR
Performance: minimum of 25 points at singles competition in one season or 50 points over three seasons.

IBOP: The Driving Test for Harness Horses is as follows
Driving arena:

Minimum 20 x 40 meters.

Equipment required:

Collar or harness.
Normal size crupper.
Shoes may be a maximum of 12mm in thickness, 25mm in width, and must be normally balanced.

Four-wheel carriage (preferably a show cart).

The use of aids, like double shoes, tail elevator, check reins and ginger is forbidden.

First, horses will individually complete the dressage test and second, one or two horses together will do the show test.

Dressage Test

1. Between A and K— Enter at a working trot on the right hand
2. At A go down center line. At X halt and salute
3. Proceed at working walk
4. At C track right and trot
5. After one time around, more action between M and F and between K and H
6. Between M and B transition to working walk
7. Between B and F pick up the working trot

8. At A go down center line, at X halt

9. Forward at the working walk, at G a half circle to the left

10. At X halt

11. Forward at the walk, at A track left and trot

12. After one time around, at A start large figure using entire arena

13. Between F and M and between H and K more action

14. At C working walk, at A go down center line, at X halt and salute

15. Proceed at working walk, at C track right

16. At M change direction and leave arena between A and F

Dressage Evaluation
The driving test will be evaluated on the following:

a. Walk: Scope and suppleness.
b. Trot: Square, scope, suppleness and self-carriage.
c. Maneuverability: Correct posture during turns.
d. Obedience: Positive reaction to the aids and being able to stand still.

The results will serve as the entry requirements for the Show test and must be a minimum average of 6 points.

Show test

This is a freestyle with one or two horses in the ring at one time. Horses will enter the arena and halt on the center line between A and C, horses will be inspected by the jury, proceed on the right track and go two times around, change rein, go around two times on the left track and line up on the center line.
Standshow: Go around the arena one time and only be evaluated on the long sides; ask for collection on both long sides and stand up again on the center line. Both horses will proceed on the right track and leave the arena.

Judging the Show Test

a. Self-Carriage (x2): Use of the head and neck, climbing in the forehand and sitting in the hindquarter, coming back in the front, relaxation in the topline, posture.
b. Suspension (x2) (the moment that all four feet are off the ground): An extended foreleg, engagement of the hindleg, moving with balance without having to develop speed.
c. Use of the foreleg (x2): Action and scope.
d. Use of the hindleg (x2): Powerful engagement of the hindleg and flexion of the hock.
e. Enthusiasm: Showing happiness, eagerness and being forward. Moving of the ears and tail.
f. Overall picture of a harness horse

The above parts a through f will be awarded with a score from 0 to 10 points; parts a through d will be multiplied by two.