Assessing foals and youngstock in Futurity classes The what, why and how of assessing performance potential in-hand Prepared by Celia Clarke for British Breeding
From this
To this
And this
And this
What are we looking for? To compete with success in any one or more of the three Olympic disciplines a horse or pony must have: Correct conformation for the discipline Three athletic, balanced paces A workable, rideable but bold temperament In all cases FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION
Why are these requirements so vital? Conformation Correct conformation ensures minimum stress on joints and limbs when in work Minimum stress on joints and limbs ensures that the animal stays sounder for a longer time The longer an animal stays sound the more highly it can be trained Producing a highly trained successful animal is rewarding both personally and financially
Conformation needs to be able to cope with
And also with
.. And not forgetting
Why are these requirements so vital? Athletic balanced correct straight paces are essential: In DRESSAGE to maintain rhythm and expression throughout In SHOWJUMPING to maintain rhythm between the fences /related distances to ensure good approach, take off and landing In EVENTING to do both the above plus cover the ground between the elements as effortlessly as possible
Athletic balanced and correct straight paces are needed to cope not only with
but also with...
Why are these requirements so vital? Temperament A workable temperament ensures that the horse or pony is easy to handle in early training (e.g. handling as a foal /lunging / loose schooling) A rideable temperament ensures that the horse is able to develop increased sensitivity to the aids as training progresses to a higher level A bold temperament ensures that the horse is able to face repeated training (dressage), higher fences (showjumping) and longer courses (eventing) as it moves to higher levels of competition as well as the stresses and strains of travel
A trainable, bold temperament is needed to cope with...
And as training progresses we ask more of them all the time
How do we assess all this? By LOOKING at the conformation, paces and overall suitability of type and SCORING each out of 10 according to a standard scale By MARKING for positives rather than fault marking By RECOGNISING the difference between sports horses and show horses
What the 10 marks mean These scores are meant as guidelines only and in the case of collective marks (eg type, paces and overall impression) will reflect a number of factors 10 EXCELLENT Outstanding sports potential in all respects, as near ideal as possible, combined with superb presence 9 VERY GOOD Almost a 10 but not absolutely perfect in all respects 8 GOOD An animal scoring 8 s across the board must really be of good potential as a breeding or performance animal. Paces scoring 8 will be supple, athletic and swinging through back at all times
What the 10 marks mean 7 FAIRLY GOOD Acceptable overall and with no more than one minor potential long term performance limitation indicator (eg conformation base narrow or wide or slightly long in loin and short in croup but limbs correct). Paces scoring 7 will be rhythmical and straight but could be more elevated 6 FAIR Showing one major potential long term performance limitation indicator (eg offset cannons, dishing, plaiting etc) or two or more minor faults. Paces scoring 6 will be straight but restricted and lacking athleticism 5 ACCEPTABLE Showing two major potential long term performance limitation indicators but otherwise sound. Not of breeding quality. Paces scoring 5 will be regular but lacking straightness and athlecticism
What the 10 marks mean 4 NOT ACCEPTABLE Numerous or diverse potential long-term performance limitation indicators. Paces scoring 4 will show some irregular steps 3 FAIRLY POOR Major multiple potential long term performance limitation indicators. Paces scoring 3 will be irregular throughout 2 POOR Will usually be generally poor in all respects. Paces scoring 2 will indicate that the horse is lame 1 VERY POOR Awarded when a specific pace is not shown sufficiently well to be assessed. Paces scoring 1 will show that the horse is very lame 0 NOT SHOWN As above. The animal is unfit to be evaluated
Assessing Conformation for Sport: Limbs, joints and condition The Assessors will be looking for: Suppleness through poll Correct angulation of joints for discipline Clean joints (but will not penalise scars, bumps etc that are traumatic in origin) Strong, well-balanced feet and hooves Fit young horses that are definitely not overweight, over-developed or in fat show condition
Assessing Conformation for Sport: proportions Remember that: Potential show jumpers can be slightly short in the back Potential dressage horses should be square and must be built naturally uphill Potential eventers can be slightly long in the back Many warmbloods are narrow across the chest until they are at least 4 years old Warmbloods are not mature until they are 6 years old and ones that look mature at 3 years old may be coarse and heavy (too old fashioned) when fully developed
Ideal proportions in a Show Jumper
Ideal proportions in a Dressage Horse
Ideal proportions in an Eventer
Showing on the Triangle: what is being assessed The purpose of the triangle is to enable the judge (standing between B&C) to see straightness of paces (going away C-A and coming back A- B) and athleticism /elevation side on (B-C) Youngstock must complete triangles in both walk and trot; foals may be excused this The shape of the triangle is a guide only and exhibitors need not keep slavishly to the edge / rail take it wide!
Showing on the Triangle: hints for handlers Dress so that you can run fast!!! If you can t run fast ask someone who can It can be helpful to take a half-halt at the corners to balance the animal and get it back on its hocks before the next side Double bridles, pelhams etc are not acceptable as they inhibit forward movement Colts and entires must be fully under control at all times Do what the assessors / stewards ask you to do on the day, not what you have done at other gradings/shows in the past
Correct presentation on the triangle should look like...
Showing Loose: hints for handlers Walk, trot and canter must be shown on both reins: eventers may also be asked to gallop Dams of foals are normally seen in-hand Balanced, athletic paces demonstrating genuine impulsion are difficult to show in a tense, rushing animal Make sure that your horse or pony is easy to catch (bring a bucket if necessary!)
Showing Loose: what to aim for
Assessing the Walk The walk should be a clear 4-beat pace. If the horse shows tension/reluctance on the triangle the walk mark will only be finalized during the final judging when the animal is more relaxed Dressage horses must over track behind in every step but not excessively Event horses are often freer in the elbow and shoulder than dressage horses Show jumpers tend to be more restricted in walk than the others but must still over track
Assessing the Trot Trot must always be a clear two-beat pace and horses must swing through the back /bring hind toe in front of stifle joint in each hind leg step DRESSAGE horses and SHOWJUMPERS must show good flexion of knee and hock at all times EVENTERS may show less flexion but not be a daisy cutter or show flicking toe
Assessing the Canter The canter is a 3-beat pace with a clear moment of suspension DRESSAGE horses need to show an uphill pace, equal balance on both reins, good suspension and clear expression SHOWJUMPERS may be slightly more naturally collected in canter EVENTERS should have a naturally longer outline
Assessing Athleticism (including loose jumping) Remember that this is really a collective for all paces and for jump (if relevant) and the mark will reflect this Stallions will always appear to have more presence and athleticism than mares or geldings and allowance should be made for this so that marks are not automatically skewed in their favour. Foals are assessed as foals, yearlings as yearlings etc not one against the other as older (but not necessarily better) horses would otherwise have an advantage.
Loose Jumping: hints for handlers Do not over-face your youngsters when preparing for this. It is is not a high jump competition BUT horses must be prepared Correct, careful, flowing style down the lane, allied with an ability to learn is a better indicator of natural scope and ability than a tense rush Two handlers are essential and the animal must be caught at the end of each run down the jumping lane
Loose Jumping: what to aim for
Assessing Type The assessors will be looking at: How athletic / well suited in conformation, paces and temperament is the horse /pony for the discipline for which it is intended? If it is not suited for that one, is it suited well for another one? Is it harmonious (do the parts fit together in the correct proportion and angulation)? How well developed is it?
Some final points These assessments are meant to help breeders, trainers and riders identify their stars of the future Use the marks to identify your horse s strengths, whilst bearing in mind any limitations indicated by lower marks And finally: Remember its should all be fun for your horse (if not for you)!
Information This presentation has been generously prepared by Celia Clarke on behalf of British Breeding for which British Breeding is extremely grateful No revenue is being generated from the circulation of this guide, it is provided free of charge for information upon the request of British breeders It may be freely circulated but not copied in whole or in part It is intended for educational purposes but neither the author nor British Breeding can accept any responsibility for application of the information contained therein The source of the photographs used cannot always be identified by the author. If you own any and would like to let us know and/or ask for them to be removed or credited, please email info@bef.co.uk If you believe this presentation could be improved in any way, the author will be pleased to review it, please email info@bef.co.uk