Dr. Thomas Nissen
Managing Director and Breeding Manager
Tel: +49 431 305996 0
Fax: +49 431 336 142
Association Kiel
Steenbeker Weg 151
24106 Kiel
Mare performance test
Information about the mare performance test
Mares may undergo performance testing on station or in the field.
The basic gaits, rideability and free jumping are judged. When undergoing on-station testing, the mares’ willingness to perform will be judged, as well. Successful mare performance testing is one of the requirement to be eligible for the State Premium designation.
Station Test
The station test involves 14-day training and a final test. In addition to evaluating basic gaits, rideability and free jumping, it also encompasses interior traits, subsumed under the mark for “willingness to perform and handling”.
The station test’s advantage is that the mares are trained and tested under standardized conditions over a two week period.
Field Test
The one-day field tests are held at various locations across Schleswig-Holstein and (from 2018) the extended breeding area.
They are carried out on instruction of the Holsteiner Verband by the Landeskommission für Pferdeleistungsprüfungen Schleswig-Holstein (State Horse Performance Test Committee S-H).
The field test starts with the free jumping in a jump chute (indoor arena), followed by a presentation under the own rider in groups up to four mares to evaluate basic gaits and rideability. Finally, the mare’s rideability is judged yet again by a test rider.
Holsteiner mares performance tested in Schleswig-Holstein (station or field test) sired by a young stallion (1st or 2nd covering season in 2018) or a Thoroughbred stallion will receive about 500 euros in financial support. Mare owners with a Holsteiner Verband membership will be contacted by the breeding department after the last field test.
Mare performance test
Registration and dates
The registration for the station test is done at the Holsteiner Verband in Kiel. The Landeskommission für Pferdeleistungsprüfungen in Bad Segeberg (state commission for horse performance tests) accepts the registrations for the field test.
Station Test
In spring 2021 the station tests for 3-year-old Holsteiner mares will be carried out in Elmshorn. The mares will be kept at the station for 2 weeks. On the day of delivery the mares have to be ridden in front of the test director by their own rider.
The fees for the entire station test amount to approx. 700 € per mare. This includes all costs (accommodation and care of the mares, riding and examination fees).
The following rounds are planned:
I. round: 09.02. – 23.02.2021
II. round: 20.04. – 04.05.2021
We ask the breeders to register their mares for the station test 2021. Approximately 70 mares can be tested on station.
Any Holsteiner mare (born in 2018) may be entered.
Should you be interested in having your mare undergo performance testing -which is rather important from the breeder’s point of view - you may enter the mare in question by submitting the entry form to the Holsteiner Verband, Abteilung Zucht, Steenbeker Weg 151, 24106 Kiel.
Registration deadline is 09 November 2020. Please adhere to this deadline, as we need to have an overview of the mares entered for performance testing as soon as possible. You will be issued with more information upon registration.
Field Test
The entry form and the preparation guidelines for the field test in Schleswig-Holstein can be found in the March issue of the association magazine PFERD+SPORT or on the website Landeskommission für Pferdeleistungsprüfungen Schleswig-Holstein.
Mare performance test
Adjustments in weighting the mare performance test criteria
To promote the breeding of Holsteiner dressage horses, and for a more performance-related assessment of dressage oriented mares, the dressage committee suggested adjusting the way the evaluated mare performance test criteria are weighted.
These suggestions have been implemented, so that the final test score is now calculated by weighting the criteria differently for jumping and dressage oriented mares.
The weighting of the field test criteria has been adjusted for field test as follows:
|
Criterion |
until 2015 |
jumping oriented |
dressage oriented |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Junping |
30% |
30% |
20% |
|
Trot |
13% |
13% |
15% |
|
Canter |
13% |
13% |
15% |
|
Walk |
13% |
13% |
15% |
|
Rideability |
10% |
10% |
10% |
|
Rideability- test rider |
21% |
21% |
25% |
The final field test score is calculated from the weighted sub scores.
Please state the mare’s orientation (jumping or dressage) on the field test entry form. The final test score will be calculated accordingly.
In case no information is provided, the mare will be considered as jumping oriented.