Member Portal Login
KWPN

Breeding
Home » Breeding » Stallions » Stallion Approval

Stallion Approval

General Information

KWPN Foalbook or Register A stallions and those registered with an Erkend studbook are eligible to be presented for studbook approval within their breeding direction. Other stallions that fit within a particular breeding direction are also eligible (e.g., Thoroughbred and Hackney).

Change in Breeding Direction

A breeding direction may be changed in consultation with the jury or upon presentation of a sport record.

Physical Examination

If a stallion is presented for an advice keuring at age two or older, the General Physical and Soundness Evaluation must be completed by a veterinarian and be mailed to the KWPN-NA office with the keuring entry.

DNA Parentage

Must be proven and DNA must be on file with the KWPN-NA prior to the keuring presentation.

Height

Stallions must be a minimum height of 160cm (approximately 15.3h). The jury will measure stallions at the keuring. Jury determination is binding.

Drug Testing

No drugs are allowed. Blood of all approval candidates will be drawn for testing at the keuring after the presentation. Drug testing will be done at owner’s expense.

Competition Requirements for Stallions Four and Older

Stallions aged four and older must be actively participating in recognized competition as a prerequisite for approval presentation.

Competition Requirements After Approval

By age seven or eight stallions should be competing at Prix St. George or I1, or Jumping 1.40 m, Regular Working Hunter or Intermediate Eventing.

Approved vs. Licensed

Approved stallions have completed and met all KWPN requirements. Licensed stallions have successfully completed a keuring presentation, an IBOP and the veterinary requirements. Licensed stallions must still complete a performance test.

Names

Approved or Erkend KWPN stallions must have a unique name. This may mean that if a particular name is already in use by another Approved or Erkend stallion, the stallion might need to be renamed. Outside Stallions will retain their original name and registration number.

Harness Stallions

The circumstances for Harness stallions are somewhat unique in North America. Licensed stallions can only become Approved upon the successful completion of a performance test. Therefore, at this time, Harness stallions that are successfully presented at a keuring and successfully complete their veterinary requirements are not ‘Approved’ but are considered to be permanently ‘Licensed.’

To maintain their Licensed status, Harness stallions must be shown in harness at a KWPN-NA keuring the year after being licensed. Stallions that have competed at the highest (honors) level of harness sport in Holland may be excused from this in-harness presentation requirement. Only the KWPN has the authority to excuse a stallion from the presentation requirement.

Outside (or foreign) Stallions

Outside stallions are stallions from an Erkend studbook, (European Warmblood, Thoroughbred or Hackney) and can be considered “improvement sires.” As such they must offer something to the breeding program that is not readily available. This may include particular bloodlines or an impressive international sport record.

A copy of registration papers, a four- generation pedigree and sport/racing records must be sent to the KWPN-NA office for evaluation by the KWPN. To be KWPN approved, outside stallions must undergo the same inspection and requirements as KWPN stallions.

Time Frame for the Approval Process
  • Declaration of intent to present stallions for advice keuring or approval must be in the KWPN-NA office by May 1st. The declaration must be accompanied by pedigree and possible sport information (including that of close relations, primarily the dam line) that is as complete as possible.
  • Pedigree information must be sent to the KWPN Stallion Committee for evaluation by May 1st.
  • Owner will be informed of the KWPN Stallion Committee decision regarding the pedigree as soon as the Stallion Committee makes its decisions. Owners must then decide to proceed with the inspection.
  • The pedigree approval is good for only one year and must be done each year a stallion is presented.
  • Veterinary procedures can be completed either prior to or after the keuring presentation. Prior to—please send to the KWPN-NA office in June. Afterward—please send it to the office within 30 days of the keuring presentation.
  • The KWPN will be return the results of the evaluations to the KWPN-NA office. The KWPN-NA office will relay the information to the stallion owner.
  • Owners must formally sign up their stallion for the Stallion Approval class by August 1st (regardless of keuring deadline!).
  • The physical keuring presentation must occur during the year the pedigree is approved.

The Approval Process

1. Pedigree Evaluation

Each year a stallion is physically presented, his pedigree must be submitted to the KWPN for evaluation by May 1st of that year. The evaluation is good only for that year. Without the pedigree evaluation, the stallion may be presented for approval but must be very convincing to the jury.

Stallions must have a pedigree that the KWPN stallion committee feels is of interest to the breeding program. It should be accompanied by the most current data on the family that is available at that moment and should include information about performance, conformation and health criteria from the female line.

The pedigree evaluation is progressive. As new information about the family becomes available, the evaluation will be adjusted accordingly.

The stallion committee will give a written opinion about the pedigree. If the opinion is negative, it is still possible to present the stallion if the owner feels his performance is sufficient to overcome his pedigree.

2. Performance Evaluation

Stallions four and older must show performance appropriate for their age and that positively sets them apart from their contemporaries.

Stallions eight or older must have positively distinguished themselves from their contemporaries in sport, or their offspring must have done so.

Competition Requirements for Stallions Four and Older

The following is intended as a guideline only. (The level equivalencies are close but not exact.)

Dressage
AgeDutch LevelUS Level
4L
L1
5M
L2
6Z
L3
6/7ZZ Light
L4
7/8ZZ Heavy
Prix St. George
9/10Grand PrixGrand Prix
Jumpers
AgeDutch LevelUS Level
4B/LLevel 2/3; jumps to 1.10m (3' 6")
5MLevel 5, Younger Jumpers; jumps to 1.20m (4' 0")
6ZLevel 6, Young Jumpers; jumps to 1.30m (4' 3")
7/8ZZ +Level 7, Young Jumpers; jumps to 1.35/1.40m (4' 6")
8 +Grand PrixGrand Prix
Hunters
AgeUS Level
4Green Hunter 3'0"/Young Hunter 3'0"/Performance Hunter (.90m)
5Green Hunter 3'0"/Young Hunter 3'0"/Performance Hunter (.90m)
6Green Hunter 3'3"/Young Hunter 3'3"/Performance Hunter (1.00m)
7Green Hunter 3'6"/Young Hunter 3'6"/Performance Hunter (1.10m)
7/8Green Hunter 3'9"/Hunter 3'9" (1.20m)/ High Performance Hunter 4'-4'6"
8 +Hunter 3'9"- 4' (1.20 - 1.30m)/High Performance Hunter 4'-4'6"

3. Linear Scoring

With values for conformation and free movement or jumping according to the breeding direction of the stallion.

4. IBOP Riding Test

Stallions up to eight years old are required to perform IBOP in their breeding direction unless they have a Grand Prix sport record. Stallions with a documented Grand Prix record are excused from the IBOP riding test portion of the keuring presentation.

  • Riding Types
    Dressage IBOP for Dressage type
    Jumping IBOP for Jumper and Hunter types (includes free jumping for three- and four-year olds).
  • Harness – Driving IBOP.
  • Gelders – A combination of the above.

5. Sport/Offspring Requirement

Stallions eight and older must have a successful competition record, be a proven sire of performance horses in his own breeding area or country or have a minimum of six offspring that can be found in the WBFSH rankings.

6. Veterinary Requirements

Stallions must meet the radiograph/D-OC and endoscopy requirements as well as the Physical Examination described earlier. Examinations can either be done before the keuring or can be submitted no more than 30 days after successful presentation. There is a $150 fee each for reading the endoscopy and radiograph examinations. The fee for the D-OC test is $250 as mandated by the KWPN.

Veterinary requirements consist of:

  • General Physical and Soundness Evaluation
  • Endoscopic Evaluation Stallions must have normal and well functioning breathing apparatus. The examination must be recorded per KWPN instructions and must be mailed to the KWPN-NA office to be forwarded to Holland for evaluation. The exam can also be mailed via flash drive or emailed to the office.
Acceptable Radiograph Scores
Navicular Bone0-1-2
Sesamoids0-1-2-3-4
Pastern Arthritis0-1-2-3
Bone Spavin0-1-2
OCD Hock & KneeClass A–B; Class C only acceptable under certain conditions
OCD FetlockNo selection
The KWPN standard is not met if a score is higher than the above.
  • Radiograph Evaluation Stallions are required to undergo a radiographic examination consisting of 26 views as specified by the KWPN. Radiographs may be taken any time after September 1st of a stallion’s two-year-old year. A CD or Flash Drive can be mailed to the KWPN-NA office, or you can have the vet email the study to the office.  If emailed, please be sure the study has no expiration date. The views will be forwarded to Holland for evaluation. Any surgeries must be disclosed.
  • OC Testing Riding type stallions must undergo the DNA evaluation for the heritability of OC provided they are sufficiently related to the reference population. If the relationship to the KWPN reference population is insufficient or if the reliability is lower than 30%, the stallion must complete the PROK radiographs instead. For the radiographs, a CD or Flash Drive can be mailed to the KWPN-NA office or you can have the vet email the study to the office. The views will be forwarded to Holland for evaluation. Any surgeries must be disclosed.
  • Semen Evaluation: All stallions are required to undergo a semen and breeding soundness evaluation per KWPN specifications. A semen evaluation must be done in the year a stallion is presented, regardless of any earlier evaluations. Semen needs to be of good, sufficient or moderate quality. The semen quality will be published in the stallion’s report. Semen evaluations consist of two ejaculations, an hour apart, and should be submitted on the Society for Theriogenology form to the KWPN-NA office to be forwarded to Holland for evaluation. The KWPN may request annual semen evaluations on a stallion when deemed necessary.
Semen Fertility Classes
Fertility ClassMotility% Live Cells% Normal Cells
Good>2500>70>70
Sufficient2000-250050-7050-70
Moderate1000-199930-4930-49
Insufficient<1000<29<29

7. Performance Testing

Licensed Status

After being appointed to go to a performance test, the stallion will be considered ‘Licensed,’ or equal to a stallion selected for the performance test in Holland. Licensed stallions are required to participate in the performance test they are appointed to unless a special dispensation is applied for and granted by the KWPN.

In general offspring by a Licensed stallion shall receive Register A papers. Foals may be upgraded upon approval of the stallion.

To be approved, stallions will have to complete a 21-Day Performance Test or a 5-Day Character Test (for stallions that are or have competed at Grand Prix level).

Upon decision by the KWPN Stallion Committee, a stallion must be presented at an independent stallion-testing facility for his performance test. The start and ending of the test will coincide with the start and ending of the KWPN keuring tour.

Stallions must be a minimum of five and a maximum of eight years of age to participate. Stallions are required to participate in the performance test they are appointed to unless a special dispensation is applied for and granted by the KWPN stallion committee.

5-Day Character Evaluation

Stallions that are competing or have competed at Grand Prix or equivalent level must attend a 5-Day Character Evaluation. The goal of the 5-Day test is to study the behavior and any potential vices of the stallions. Testing will occur at a completely independent facility where officials appointed by the KWPN-NA will care for stallions The stallions will be evaluated at the end of the test by the Keuring Jury and a delegation from the KWPN stallion committee. Stallions may be accompanied by their own grooms.

After completing the 5-Day Test, the KWPN stallion committee will decide whether or not to approve the stallion.

Note: No test other than the KWPN Test or NASST will be accepted for stallion approval. The KWPN does not accept results from any 100-Day or 30-Day Test held by any other registry in North America.

Stallion Presentation

Advice Keuring for Stallions Two and Older

Stallions aged two-and-older can participate in an advice keuring. A linear scoresheet will also be filled out according to general keuring standards.

When signing up for the keuring the owner must submit:

  • All stallions – a pedigree for a general evaluation and any pertinent family information available at that time.
  • Stallions four and older – the above plus information on the stallion’s own performance.

The stallion must participate in a physical stallion presentation including:

  • An evaluation on the hard surface as described in the ‘In-Hand Presentation on the Hard Surface’.
  • A free movement and/or free jumping evaluation as described in ‘Free Movement/Free Jumping’.
Advice from the Stallion Committee

This keuring is to give stallion owners advice on a possible future of the stallion within the KWPN breeding program only; there are no rights or implied promises connected to the outcome of the advice keuring.

First Round for Stallions Three and Older

This class is open to stallions that:
  • Turn three during the keuring year; OR
  • Are four or older and have shown distinctive performance appropriate for their age that positively sets them apart from their age group; OR
  • Are eight or older, and have a positively distinguished themselves at higher levels of sport or that have offspring that are positively distinguishing themselves from their age group; AND
  • Have a pedigree that the stallion committee feels is of sufficient interest to be accepted into the selection process; AND
  • Have met the radiograph/D-OC and endoscopy requirements according to the standards in the KWPN veterinary regulations. ***veterinary requirements can be completed up to 30 days after successful keuring presentation***

The stallion must participate in a physical stallion presentation including:

  • An evaluation on the hard surface as described in the ‘In-Hand Presentation on the Hard Surface’.
  • A free movement and/or free jumping evaluation as described in ‘Free Movement/Free Jumping’.

The stallion evaluation committee will give a score according to the keuring standards, on a scale from 40 to 100 in five point increments for conformation and movement/jumping characteristics. If the stallion receives a minimum of 70 points for conformation and a minimum of 75 points for free movement or free jumping he may continue on to the Second Round at that same keuring.

Second Round for Stallions Three and Older

The Under-Saddle Presentation
  • Stallions between the ages three through seven that have passed the First Round will be invited to perform the IBOP according to their breeding direction. Stallions will be scored according to the keuring standards for IBOP characteristics where 75 is a passing score. The keuring jury will forward all information to the KWPN stallion committee, which will decide on how to proceed; OR
  • In general, stallions eight or older that have passed the First Round and have a Grand Prix sport record will be shown ‘freestyle’ under saddle. At the discretion of the stallion committee, a stallion with a Grand Prix sport record, or a stallion that has a number of offspring that are successful in sport do not have to be shown under saddle. The keuring jury will forward all information to the KWPN stallion committee, which will decide on how to proceed.
Equipment

Riding/Gelders stallions are presented under saddle with simple, smooth-mouthed snaffle, with a flash, figure eight or dropped nosebands with no more than two joints (metal or rubber) and a saddle with fitted saddle pad. Double bridles, martingales, auxiliary reins or other gadgets are not allowed. Tendon protection (splint boot) is allowed on forelegs. The jury has the power to make changes to tack. The rider must wear competition attire.

Harness/Gelders stallions are presented in harness with a normal size crupper, normally sized and balanced shoes in front of a four-wheel carriage (preferably a show carriage). See Driving IBOP for more particulars.

Evaluations

Negro pref (Ferro Stb pref x Fewrie Stb keur pref prest by Variant Stb)

Evaluation of Offspring From Stallions Already Used for Breeding

For stallions that are presented for approval at a keuring and that have already sired ten registered offspring in North America or elsewhere, the stallion committee may ask to evaluate a minimum of ten offspring and incorporate the result in making decisions regarding approval.

Evaluation of the Mother

Before selection to the performance test a conformation report of the mother must be available. This includes complete linear score and values for conformation and movement. If the mother has previously undergone a conformation evaluation, those results will be used. If the mother has not previously been evaluated, her conformation will be evaluated during a regular keuring. If the mother is in North America, the regular North American jury will do the evaluation. If the mother is elsewhere, the evaluation will be handled accordingly. If the mother is deceased, as much family data as is possible will be used.

Requirements After Approval

L Primo DG Prok, D-OC (Bordeaux x Satina Ster Pref by Contango Pref); Photo by Tamara with the Camera

To retain approved status, a stallion’s offspring must meet certain requirements at three times during the stallion’s breeding career. If, at those times, a stallion’s offspring do not meet the standards set by the KWPN, the stallion may be put on the Watch List or disapproved at the following intervals:

  • A stallion is required to present a minimum of ten* offspring at their dam’s side for foal inspection within two years of the date of licensing or approval. The foals are preferably shown at a single keuring, but multiple locations are allowed.
  • A stallion is required to present ten* offspring (three to five years old) at studbook inspections by the time the oldest offspring are five years old.
  • Sport results of ten* offspring (five to eleven years old) must be submitted by the time the oldest offspring are eleven years old.

If a stallion cannot not meet the above requirements, the owner can apply for a one-year extension. An extension will be granted only if the KWPN stallion committee sees potential in the stallion and the owner has an acceptable reason (e.g., veterinary) as to why the stallion was unable to meet his requirements.

After successfully completing all the previously stated requirements, a stallion will have met all the approval criteria and may be permanently approved.

* Due to the limited number of breedings in North America, the number of offspring from Harness stallions required at the designated intervals is five rather than ten.

The evaluation of stallions in the context of stallion selections and the status of stallions in North America takes place under the guidance of and is subject to the directives by the KWPN Stallion Selection Committee. The KWPN Stallion Selection Committee may be assisted by advisers or delegate parts of the evaluation.

Stallion Activation

Activation of your KWPN foalbook, Licensed or Approved stallion is required for the breeding year in order for mare owners to register their foals. KWPN Foalbook stallions who are approved with an Erkend studbook can also be activated. Fees can be paid retroactively for years that the stallion has not been activated.

  • Foalbook stallion/Stallion approved with Erkend Studbook: $250
  • Licensed/Approved stallion: $300 – Activations due by November 30th to make it into the printed handbook.

Do you have a non-KWPN stallion that’s approved or licensed with a Studbook that’s recognized by the WBFSH? You can activate with us too! Read more HERE. 

Licensed and Approved stallions that are activated prior to the November 30th deadline will be featured in a full-page ad in our annual Stallion Directory & Handbook and an ad on the KWPN-NA website. KWPN/KWPN-NA Stallions that are approved with an Erkend studbook will receive a half page ad in the Stallion Directory & Handbook and an ad on the KWPN-NA website. Foalbook stallions (not approved with any other studbook) will receive a mention. Stallions activated in the current keuring year will be eligible to receive a Top 10 Keuring Sire Award based on their offspring’s results at that year’s keurings. Activated stallions are also included in any general stallion promotion on the KWPN-NA social media channels.

Licensed, Approved and Approved with Erkend Studbook stallions that are activated after the deadline will receive an ad on the KWPN-NA website but will not be featured in the Stallion Directory & Handbook.

ALL stallion activations come with a free KWPN-NA membership for the year in which they are activated. “Extra” memberships (i.e. a stallion owner with multiple stallions) may designate the extra memberships they do not use to others at their discretion.