Entering: All mares (and geldings) must hold an SSH Breed Society passport OR be over-stamped by the SSH to be illegible for entry.

• Entries must be accompanied by the appropriate fees and submitted prior to the closing date.
• Mare owners must be Fully paid SSH members.
  

Secretary: Upon arrival at the venue please present yourself to the SSH secretary and present your mares passport. You will be issued with Bridle numbers.

• Bridle numbers must be attached securely on either side of your mares bridle.
• Mares should remain in trailers/boxes or stables until after you have reported to the secretary and bridle numbers issued.
• It is then advisable to walk your mare around to loosen her off after travel and allow her to become familiar with her environment.
• Handlers of Mares with foal at foot must assure that the foal is securely led by a second handler.
  

Conformation Assesment Each mare will be presented in catalogue order. Each mare will be called forwards by the steward. Handlers should ensure that they are on standby so as not to cause delay to the days proceedings.

Mares are presented parallel to the judging panel and will be assessed for conformation. The mare should then be turned 180 degrees to face the opposite direction.

The handler should then walk away from the judges over a distance of approximately 20 meters, turning clockwise the mare should then walk back to the inspectors.

This same exercise will then be repeated in trot. An assistant is permitted to encourage the mare forwards aided with a whip but should be used sparingly. No other artificial aids should be used.

It is essential that foals accompanying their dams do not obstruct the inspectors view. It is therefore very important to prepare your mare and foal well at home.

• No leg wear allowed
• Mares must be plaited
• No corrective shoeing allowed
• Mares must be presented in a snaffle bit
• Mares to be presented in black or brown bridle
• Handlers must be dressed in white, trousers shirt and trainers
• Hard hats are recommended

NB Any mare found not to be sound will not proceed further unless accompanied by a veterinary certificate indicating that her movement is impeded through accident or injury. These mares will not be assessed further but can be entered into the studbook.

Mares should then be returned to their stables unless otherwise directed.

NB Where facilities do not allow for mares to be trotted on hard ground in security or for mares with foal at foot, this part of the assessment will take place in the arena.

PRIVATE GRADING Any SSH Member can apply to the SSH committee to have their mares, geldings and young stock graded at their own premises within the period of the annual mare and young stock gradings are scheduled, whereby sufficient numbers warrant an additional venue. Applications must be in writing by the 1st July of the current year. Members may be expected to pay any "additional" expenses incurred and must be able to provide suitable premises for the puprose of assessing animals correctly. (e.g Suitable surface for trot up. Secured loose movement/jumping environment)The decision will be at the discretion of the committee.

Loose Schooling. Mares should procede immediately after the conformation phase of the assessment to the arena to commence the loose schooling phase. Only the mare handler is allowed in the cage along with one other assistant. Experienced Whips will be provided if required. It is recommended that the mare be walked around the cage once, to familiarize herself with her environment. The mare should then be turned loose well away from the judges.

Mares will be awarded a separate score for walk, trot and canter. Mares will then be loose jumped and assessed on take off, attitude, ability, technique and scope.

Loose Jumping The loose jumping phase is optional, however the higher of the two scores, either movement or jumping will dictate the mares' overall final score. A mare that perhaps lacks movement may fair better if she is loose jumped.

• Mares must have been previously schooled and prepared for the loose jumping phase. Mares not wishing to co-operate will not be allowed to continue and their final score will be based on conformation and movement only.
• ont boots can be worn for this phase of the assessment.

Mares should then leave the arena when instructed to do so by the judging panel.

NB Foals at foot will not be allowed to jump. Foals will be assessed at the same time as their dams.

Parade Once all mares of the same catalogue group have been assessed, handlers should make their way to the main arena whereby the mares scores and results will be read out. Rosettes will be awarded. A Critique will also be given publicly highlighting the mares strengths and weaknesses.

NB Whereby the numbers of mares forwards is insufficient for a group critique, mares will be awarded their critique immediately after the assessment prior to being asked to leave the arena.

Secretary At the end of the assessment all handlers should then make their way to the secretary to return bridle numbers and collect their passports. Score sheets will also be issued.