Entering: Owners wishing to present a stallion for Grading should first make arrangements to have their stallions digitally X-Rayed by a Veterinary Practitioner of their choice.

to See X-Ray procedures for more details.

The SSH will only be notified of stallions that have successfully passed the X-Ray examination respecting the stallion owners confidentiality.

Successful candidates must submit entry forms and accompanying fees to the SSH no later than the 15th January.

Stallion owners must be fully paid SSH members and stallions registered (over stamped) with the SSH.

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

• Bridle numbers must be attached securely on either side of your stallions bridle.
• Stallions should remain in trailers/boxes or stables until shortly prior to your allocated time.

 

Conformation & Trot Up: Each stallion will be allocated a time for examination and presented in catalogue order. A Steward will call you when it is your turn.

Stallions are to be presented parallel to the panel and will be assessed for conformation the stallion 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 stallion should walk back to the inspectors. This same exercise will then be repeated in trot. An assistant is permitted to encourage the horse forwards aided with a whip but should be used sparingly and should not obstruct the judges view. No other artificial aids should be used.

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

NB Any stallion found not to be sound will not proceed further.

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

Veterinary Inspection. You will once again be called when the vet is ready to inspect. Stallions will be measured, and undergo a rigorous vetting, including inspection of eyes in a dark stable.

• Stallions must be free from parrot mouth, and umbilical hernia.
• Both testicles must be present and must be of equal shape and size.
• Stallions will be lunged freely on a 20m circle and examined for soundness of heart and wind.
• Stallions showing dangerous unruly behavior putting the vets safety at risk will be excluded from further examination and will not be allowed to continue further.

NB Any stallion that does not meet any of the criteria outlined above will not proceed forwards to the next stage.

Stallions should then be returned to their stables once the examination is completed

Loose Schooling. You will be called by the steward when it is time for your stallion to commence the loose schooling phase.

• Only the stallion handler is allowed in the cage. Experienced Whips will be provided.
• It is recommended that the stallion be walked around the cage once to familiarize himself with his environment.

The stallion should then be turned loose. Stallions will be awarded a separate score for walk, trot and canter.

Loose Jumping Stallions will then be loose jumped and assessed on take off, attitude, ability, technique and scope.

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

Stallions should then return to their stables once the assessment is complete.

NB Pony stallions should not exceed 1.53m

Stallion Parade Successful stallion owners will be notified by the steward if their stallion has been successful. Stallions should then make their way to the main arena whereby the stallions scores and results will be read out. A Critique will also be given publicly highlighting the stallions strengths and weaknesses.

Secretary All stallion owners should then make their way to the secretary to return bridle numbers and collect their passports.