By Hillevi Brasch
Photography: Roland Thunholm / SWB
The Swedish stallion test took a different turn this year in moving four hours northwest of Flyinge, hence making it easier for stallions from parts of Sweden other than the south to attend. The reason for this was ultimately cost, combined with the satisfaction of trying something new. Improvement does not happen without change!
Many were skeptical and many were excited for this change of venue, but would there be enough stallions attending? The test would certainly draw a new audience that otherwise would not attend when taking place in Flyinge. A fun twist, as it also serves as an educational moment for anyone riding and showing but perhaps not so knowledgeable in breeding and stallion selection. The regional SWB association had worked hard to present their venue in the very best way and to make it as pleasant as possible for riders, judges, the public attending and, most of all, the attending stallions. The consensus is they did a fabulous job and, despite typical Swedish cold weather and snow, everyone agreed it was a great event.
What is the SWB test all about?
The SWB stallion test is a short test with the stallion being shown under its own rider except for the test-riding event. The test in its current format has been the same essentially since 2002, with a few tweaks here and there during the years. Just as other associations have undergone changes in their stallion selection program, Swedish Warmblood is also looking closely at perhaps implementing a new format in the years to come.
The 2020 test encompassed the following events:
• Three-year-old stallions: Complete a five-day test, with one day of rest, including veterinary inspection, conformation evaluation, free jumping and gaits under rider. The dressage stallions are shown twice in gaits, the jumping stallions only once. The jumping stallions are shown twice in free jumping instead where the dressage stallions likewise are shown only once.
• Four - and five-year-old stallions: Complete a longer test divided into two phases. Phase I includes veterinary inspection, conformation evaluation, free jumping or jumping under rider, and gaits under rider. Jumping stallions must be shown under rider in the jumping test. Phase II has the stallions divided into dressage or jumping at stallion owner’s choice. The dressage stallions are shown in gaits under own rider and under test riders. The jumping stallions are shown in jumping under own rider and under test riders. The free jump moment is optional for four- and five-year-old stallions dressage stallions who have received G2 as three-year olds.
• Stallions with merits that meet the requirements to undergo a stallion evaluation according to the SWB Rules and Regulations but do not have the merits to be awarded a breeding license directly, are shown at a veterinary inspection and a conformation evaluation and otherwise perform according to what the stallion committee has decided they want to see. Stallions with merits will only be shown in its specific discipline.
An index is then calculated for each stallion (dressage or jumping index). Three-year-old stallions must have an index of no less than nine for approval. An approved stallion will be awarded the breeding merit class G2 which entitles the stallion to breed for two years. Four- and five-year-old stallions must have an index of no less than 17 for approval. Approved stallion will be awarded the breeding merit class G and a lifelong approval for breeding... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber
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