Standards & Procedures

Dressage/Jumper/Hunter

Keuring Standard for Dressage, Jumper and Hunter Horses

	Dressage Horse	Jumper Horse	Hunter Horse
C O N F O R M A T I O N	a rectangular-shaped body that is long-lined an uphill body build (i.e., withers higher than the croup) with long legs a light head-neck connection a long, upwardly arching neck and a muscled topline a strong and well-muscled back/hindquarters Correct and clean legs Has presence	a rectangular-shaped body that is long-lined a horizontal body direction; a long, arched neck with a slight upward orientation; and a muscled topline a strong and well-muscled back/hindquarters Correct and clean legs Has presence	a rectangular-shaped body that is long-lined and well-proportioned and well-proportioned and well-proportioned 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
M O V E M E N T	a pure, four-beat walk with activity, suppleness, and push a pure, two-beat trot with activity, suppleness, push, balance, and carriage a pure, three-beat canter with activity, suppleness, push, balance, and carriage The ability to lengthen and shorten its stride easily without losing rhythm, regularity, balance, or carriage an elevated forehand and good self-carriage Light-footed movement and articulation of the joints, allowing the hind legs to step under the body and the front legs to extend far from the shoulder with a slight elevation of the knees	a pure, four-beat walk with activity, suppleness, and push a pure, light-footed, two-beat trot with activity, suppleness, push, balance, and carriage a pure, light-footed, three-beat canter with activity, suppleness, push, balance, and carriage The ability to lengthen and shorten the canter stride easily without losing rhythm, regularity, balance or carriage a balanced, light-footed canter without excessive activity in the forehand The ability to maintain a relatively horizontal body position	a pure, four-beat walk with activity, suppleness, and push a pure, light-footed, two-beat trot with activity, suppleness, push, balance, and carriage a pure, light-footed, three-beat canter with activity, suppleness, push, balance, and carriage The ability to lengthen and shorten the canter stride easily without losing rhythm, regularity, balance or carriage a balanced, light-footed canter without excessive activity in the forehand The ability to maintain a relatively horizontal body position
J U M P I N G		a pure, four-beat walk with activity, suppleness, and push a pure, light-footed, two-beat trot with down to insure a well-balanced jump activity, suppleness, push, balance, and carriage a pure, light-footed, three-beat canter with activity, suppleness, push, balance, and carriage The ability to lengthen and shorten the canter stride easily without losing rhythm, regularity, balance or carriage a balanced, light-footed canter without excessive activity in the forehand The ability to maintain a relatively horizontal body position	Jumps with front legs folded high and evenly The head and neck should stretch out and 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
C H A R A C T E R	a cooperative, keen, and honest honest temperament Intelligence and the will to perform easy to handle Respond quickly to aids	a courageous, cooperative, keen and honest temperament Intelligence (looks at the jump and evaluates it) The will to perform easy to manage Respond quickly to aids	Has a willing, hardworking and character Has a calm, brave temperament Is intelligent Has the will to perform Is easy to handle Reacts quickly and smoothly to aids

     

Gelders/Harness Horses

Keuring Standard for Gelders and Harness Horses

	Gelders Horse	Harness Horse
C O N F O R M A T I O N	a “rectangular-shaped” body that is well-proportioned a long, arched neck with a slight upward orientation and a muscled topline Strong and well-muscled back/hindquarters Correct and clean legs Has presence	a “rectangular-shaped” body that is long-lined and well-proportioned an uphill body build (i.e., withers higher than the croup) with long legs a light head-neck connection a long, upwardly arching neck and a muscled topline Strong and well-muscled back/hindquarters Correct and clean legs Has presence
M O V E M E N T	a pure, four-beat walk with activity, suppleness, and push a pure, light-footed, two-beat trot with activity, suppleness, push, balance, and carriage a pure, light-footed, three-beat canter with activity, suppleness, push, balance, and carriage The ability to lengthen and shorten the canter stride easily without losing rhythm, regularity, balance, or carriage	a pure, four-beat walk an active trot with suppleness, push, balance, and carriage Great suspension and hind legs that step actively under the body an elevated forehand and good self-carriage Light-footed movement and articulation of the joints, allowing the hind legs to step under the body and the front legs to extend far from the shoulder with great elevation of the knees
J U M P I N G	The ability to collect greatly in the last canter stride before an obstacle and place the hind legs far under the body to facilitate a powerful push-off Jump with the withers elevated, reaching their highest point in the middle of the jump phase Lift the forearms above the horizontal and fold the cannon bones under the forearms Bascule, lowering the neck over the jump, allowing the body to follow the direction of the neck Land light-footed and canter off easily Care and efficiency
C H A R A C T E R	a cooperative, keen, and honest temperament easy to handle Intelligence (looks at the jump and evaluates it)	a cooperative, keen, and honest temperament. Intelligence and the will to perform easy to handle Responds quickly to aids

Premium Grading for Foals, Yearlings and Two-Year-Olds

All young horses are evaluated individually within their breeding direction. First they are individually stood up in front of the jury. Second, they will first walk and then trot in a clockwise direction around the arena. Third, they will again be stood up in front of the jury, facing the other direction.

After all horses in a class are evaluated individually, they all come back as a group in their order of go for a final walk-around. The jury will then place horses, present premiums and give commentary.
No scoresheets filled out for foals, yearlings and two-year-old fillies and geldings. Owners of two-year-old colts in the advice keuring will receive a written report of recommendation.

Foals

Young Horse Premiums 1st Premium – Exceeds breed standard. Indicator of highest quality. (Is equal to ster status in the studbook inspection.) 2nd Premium – Meets breed standard. Some faults or lack of quality in type, conformation, and/ or movement. (Is equal to studbook status in the studbook inspection.) Elimination – Horses may be eliminated if their conformation or movement precludes them from a first or second premium.

A completed birth declaration must be on file with the KWPN-NA office prior to entering the foal in the keuring. Parentage verification must be completed prior to the start of keuring. Foals must be well prepared for the inspection and should be familiar with the halter, be able to walk properly on a lead and be caught.

Clipping the body, whiskers, nose and eyes is discouraged. Clipping the pastern cavities enables the jury to better judge the position of the pastern. The foal’s mane should be braided. Preferably foals are not weaned and they are presented at the side of their dam. Weaned foals are to be shown in-hand only.

The mare and foal enter the arena together, each with their own handler. First, mare and foal are stood up next to each other in front of the jury, with the foal closest to the jury. Second, the foal will be turned loose to follow the mare and her handler around the ring. Third, the foal will be caught and stood up in front of the jury, this time facing the other direction. The foal’s bridle number must be visible to the jury at all times.

When all the foals in a class have been evaluated, the jury will decide the final scores, announce the ringing order and provide commentary for the owner and the public.

Yearlings

Yearlings are shown in-hand as the weaned foals above. Fillies, colts and geldings are in the same class according to breeding direction.

Two Year Olds – New

Two-year-old colts, fillies and geldings in the premium grading class are shown in-hand as the yearlings above.
Two-year-old colts entered in the “Advice Keuring” are presented separately from other two year olds. Colts are evaluated as stallion prospects with a pedigree evaluation and linear scoring, including free movement or jumping. The pedigree approval must be completed in March, prior to entry in this class.

The goal of this class is to advise breeders on whether the colt meets the criteria for approval and whether or not to present the colt for approval. Owners will receive a written evaluation with jury recommendations or conditions that should be met prior to further presentation. The owner is free to present the horse even if the jury gives negative advice at that particular time.

Successful colts must again undergo the required pedigree evaluation prior to being presented for approval as a three year old as well as the veterinary examination according to the approval protocol.

Studbook Inspections

All horses participating in the studbook inspections are evaluated on conformation and free-movement or jumping talent. The linear score sheet is used to evaluate both the horse as a whole and its individual traits. This process yields a detailed description of a horse’s traits relative to the KWPN population as well as an overall score for the primary traits of conformation, movement and jumping.

The ster evaluation is part of the studbook inspection. For mares, the keur eligibility inspection is also part of the class.

Studbook and Star Inspection

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, go to the indoor arena or cage to demonstrate free movement/jumping. Upon entering the arena, horses should be walked around the perimeter to let them acclimate to the unfamiliar surroundings. The judges will signal when the horse should be let loose, tracking to the right. As soon as the jury has seen enough to evaluate the horse, it is caught and walked around the ring once more before exiting. The jury will give commentary on the horse during this period.
Part B is not for Harness horses, they are shown in-hand only!

C)  After all horses in a group have completed their individual presentationst he group will come back as a whole for a final walk around, presentation of ribbons and commentary from the jury. All Riding and Gelders type ster mares will come back later to be evaluated for keur conformation.

Subsequent Inspections

Re-presentation for Ster  A horse that was accepted into the studbook but that did not earn the ster predicate during that inspection, may be represented for ster if the owner feels that the horse has changed in such a manner to make ster possible in the same breeding direction or will do better in another breeding direction. If switching breeding directions, the horse must first pass an IBOP in the desired breeding direction.

Ster Eligible  If a horse receives 70 points for conformation, but not the required 75 points for movement or jumping, the owner has the option to bring the horse back in an IBOP in the same breeding direction. This gives the horse another chance to show performance in dressage or jumping. If the horse earns the required 75 points in the IBOP it will be awarded with the ster predicate.
A mare that was deemed ster eligible must pass the IBOP prior to being presented for keur conformation. This may be done at the same or a later keuring as long as the conformation class follows the IBOP.

Keur Conformation  If a mare is not keur eligible at her studbook inspection, she may be represented for keur in a subsequent year. Ster mares from the studbook inspection will be joined by mares entered in the keur conformation class. Mares will be walked and trotted in-hand. (Harness mares are not presented for keur conformation).

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Dressage/Gelders Horse

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 consists of 28 conformation and movement characteristics.

Studbook and Star

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

Free movement is required. A horse may be excused from free movement if the horse has:

• passed a dressage IBOP or EPTM (NL only). Movement scores consist of the scores for gaits and ‘carriage and balance’ from the IBOP or EPTM.
• a sport predicate in dressage. There will be no upper beam score for movement.

Keur Eligible

After the studbook inspection all ster mares return to the ring and be shown in-hand. Mares will 1) walk around the ring as a group, 2) return one at a time to be shown in-hand at the walk and trot, and 3) return as a group for results and information.

The jury will evaluate what they see at that moment. This class is not directly related to the scores in the studbook inspection, but the score of the canter will be taken into account. Being declared ‘keur eligible’ is a step toward earning the keur predicate.

Keur Predicate

• Mare must be keur eligible in the dressage breeding direction or be re-presented for conformation.
• Current IBOP: a minimum of 75 points total, 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 Predicate

Individual Dressage Test A – Enter working trot Between D and X – Walk Between X and G – Halt, Salute. Proceed working trot. C – Track right.  A–C – Serpentine three equal loops width of arena. Between B and K – Change rein working trot. Between M and C – Medium walk left lead. HXF – Free walk. Between C and M – Working trot. E – Circle right 20m. E – Working canter right lead. A – Circle right 20m. Between K and H – Medium canter. Between C and M – Working trot. Between K and H – Medium trot. MXK – Change rein working trot. B – Circle left 20m, allowing horse to stretch the neck. C – Walk. E – Working trot. Between K and A – Working canter left lead. E – Circle left 20m. Between F and M – Medium canter. Between H and E – Working trot. FXH – Change rein and extend a few strides. B – Working walk. A – Down center line. Between D and X – Halt, Salute. Exit arena in a free walk.

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

Dressage IBOP

The dressage IBOP is performed in a small arena,
20 x 40 meters. Gelders horses see Gelders IBOP below.

The IBOP consists two parts: an individual dressage-test AND a group presentation under saddle in a group of up to three horses. This entails showing the basic gaits as well as a number of tempo changes. Four year olds are required to do some leg-yield, and five year olds and older must show the shoulder in.

Part 1 – Individual Dressage Test

Someone may call the test. This portion will take about ten minutes.

Part 2 – As a group

After the individual test, horses will come back in groups of up to three horses, grouped by age. The jury will be inside or next to one of the long sides of the ring. A ringmaster will give directions to the riders and the jury will evaluate the horses anew. Part 2 will take about five minutes per horse (ten minutes for two horses, fifteen for three, etc.).

Horses are judged on their gaits: walk, trot and canter. In addition, the horse is judged on suppleness, posture and balance, ability to ride, manageability and talent as a dressage horse. The marks for walk, trot and canter count double in the final decision.

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

A KWPN registered horse that earns 75 points will receive the IBOP predicate. Usually the IBOP is before the studbook inspection and the IBOP will take the place of free movement.

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Dressage Test for Gelders IBOP AFBM – Enter working trot C – Serpentine with three loops FXH – Change rein with a few strides at medium trot H – transition to working trot MF – Zig zag 5 meters E – Turn and cross arena to B B – Left lead Between M and C – Pick up the canter on the left lead EBE – 20m circle with a few strides in a medium canter Between K and A – transition to working trot FM – Zig zag 5 meters E – Turn and cross arena to B B – right lead KXM – Change rein with a few strides of medium trot M – Working trot EF – Change rein Between F and A – Working canter on right lead EBE – 20m circle with a few strides in a medium canter Between C and M – Transition to working trot 20m circle with stretching of the neck Between A and K – Collect the reins 21. Between K and E – Transition to working walk EB – Half a 20m circle at a medium walk B – Working walk A – Turn Halt between D and X, salute Leave arena Some parts may be repeated upon request of the jury.

New!  Gelders IBOP

Gelders mares and geldings can choose to be shown under saddle or in-harness in the IBOP. If shown under the saddle, the horse must do both a dressage test and jump over a number of obstacles. Jumping is evaluated both under saddle and during free jumping.
If the horse is presented in-harness test, then both the driving test and the skill test is required. The skill test consists of a track with ten obligatory passages, nine of which are cones and one consisting of an obstacle.

Note: Stallions must be shown under saddle and in harness.

Under Saddle Presentation

Horses performing the under-saddle test are judged on gaits: walk, trot and canter. In addition, the horse is judged on reflexes, technique and scope during jumping. The scores for dressage and jumping talent count double in the final score. The total possible score is 100 points and the horse needs 70 to pass.

Jumping Test

Includes both jumping under saddle and free. The height for three- and four-yearold horses is 80cm and may be raised to 115cm upon request of the jury or rider. The height for horses five and older is 90cm and may be raised to 125cm upon request of the jury or rider. Free jumping will happen after the riding test or at the end of the day.

In Harness Test

If the harness test is chosen, the horse is judged on walk, trot, canter, self-carriage, willingness maneuverability and talent for harness work. The scores for walk, trot and talent are doubled. The total possible score is 100 points and the horse needs 75 to pass. Test available upon request.

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Jumper/Hunter/Gelders Horse

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 consists of 36 conformation, movement and jumping characteristics.

Studbook and Star

	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 and hunter breeding directions. Nursing mares are allowed to participate in free jumping as long as the foal is not present in the arena (safely). Horses not free jumping may be accepted into the studbook based on conformation and movement, but cannot receive a predicate. If the score is sufficient for ster and the horse later passes a jumping IBOP or has sufficient jumping sport results, they can then receive further predicates.

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

• passed a jumping IBOP or EPTM (NL only). Jumping will consist of the individual scores for canter, reflexes, technique and scope from the IBOP or EPTM.
• a sport predicate in jumping, eventing (jumping) or hunters. There will be no upper beam score for jumping.

Jumper and Hunter First, the jury will evaluate the trot and canter, in both directions. After several rounds, the horse is directed through a line with three jumps. All jumps are flanked by rails so horses can’t jump out.

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).  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 move or change the jump height and distance.

• 1st jump – cross bar; H 70–80cm
• 2nd jump – vertical; H 80–100cm
• 3rd jump – oxer; H 80–90, 95–100cm

The third jump is initially set up as a vertical and later expanded into an oxer, the height of which depends on the age of the horse in the ring. The maximum height of the oxer for three year olds is 1.20m with a maximum width of 1.00m. Horses are asked to jump the arrangement several times.

Keur Eligible
After the studbook inspection all ster mares return to the ring and will 1) walk around the ring as a group, 2) be shown in-hand one at a time at the walk and trot, and 3) return as a group for results and commentary.

The jury will evaluate what they see at that moment. This class is not directly related to the scores in the studbook inspection, but the score of the canter will be taken into account. Being declared ‘keur eligible’ is a step toward earning the keur predicate.

Keur Predicate

• Mare must have keur conformation as a jumper or hunter, AND
• an IBOP with a minimum score of 75, OR
• minimum of 5 points at M level jumping (Level 5, 1.20m or 4'), 5 points at Second Year Green Hunter or 5 points at M Level eventing (Training). IBOP and Iron Spring Farm Cup Jumping Course

Sport Predicate

• Minimum of 6 points at Z level jumping (Level 6, 1.30m or 4'3"), OR
• Minimum of 5 points at Regular Working Hunter, OR
• Minimum of 5 points at Z level eventing (Preliminary) with no more than 20 penalty points.

IBOP

Jumper and Hunter horses jump the same course but are judged differently according to type.

Arena Size – 20 x 40 meters for warm-up and free jumping. 20 x 60 meters for jumping under saddle and showing of gaits. Jumps must be flanked by rails so horses can’t jump out.

One to three 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 ground poles in both directions, including a change of direction, and a few steps of extended trot. Next horses will show the canter in both directions 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
• line 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).

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

• line of three jumps as described above in ‘Free Jumping.’ Horses that are also in a studbook inspection will jump free only one time, after the IBOP or during linear scoring.

Scoring – Walk and trot are scored but not included in the overall score. The following traits are counted in the evaluation: canter (2x), reflexes (2x), technique (x2), scope, attitude, rideability/willingness and talent for jumping.

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Harness/Gelders Horse

The upper beam score for Harness horses consists of scores for conformation, movement and general impression. The score for movement has two components: a total score and individual scores for the walk and trot. The scoring scale used for this purpose ranges from 40 to 100 points, marked in five-point increments. The lower beam score will consist of 26 conformation and movement characteristics.

Studbook and Star

	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 Predicate

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

Driving IBOP

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. During the IBOP, horses are required to do an individual dressage test in-harness. This requires showing the basic gaits and a number of tempo changes. The walk, trot, agility and obedience are evaluated.

If the average score in the dressage test is 6 or more, horses will come back to the arena in pairs for the show test. The following features are judged: front, posture, moment of suspension, action of the front leg, use of the hind leg, willingness to walk and the overall picture as a harness horse. A maximum of 100 points can be obtained, with 75 points needed for a passing score.

Part 1 – Individual Dressage Test

Individual Dressage Test Between A and K – Enter working trot on right lead. A – Go down center line. X – Halt, Salute. X-C – Proceed working walk. C – Track right and trot. Go one time around. After one time around, Between M and F – More action. Between K and H – More action Between M and B – Transition to working walk. Between B and F – Working trot. A – Go down center line. X – Halt Proceed working walk. G – Half circle to the left. X – Halt. Proceed at walk. A – Track left and trot. Go one time around. A – Large figure eight using entire arena. Between F and M – More action. Between H and K – More action. C – Working walk. A – Go down center line. X – Halt, Salute. Proceed working walk. C – Track right. M – Change direction. Between A and F – Leave arena.

The individual dressage test will be evaluated on the following:

1. Walk: scope and suppleness.
2. Trot: square, scope, suppleness and self-carriage.
3. Maneuverability: correct posture during turns.
4. Obedience: positive reaction to the aids and being able to stand still. Results of the dressage test serve as a qualifier for the Show Test and must have a minimum average of six points.

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

Part 2 – 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Use of the foreleg (x2): Action and scope.
4. Use of the hindleg (x2): powerful engagement of the hindleg and flexion of the hock.
5. Enthusiasm: Showing happiness, eagerness and being forward. Moving of the ears and tail.
6. 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.