This year, the one-day field test will take place on April 21, May 11 and June 22 in Elmshorn. But which mares can be registered by when? What conditions must the horses meet and how will they be tested? What are the advantages of a successfully passed mare performance test? The Holsteiner Guide series provides answers to these and other questions about Holsteiner breeding.
This year, for the first time, the one-day field test is organized and conducted by the respective breeding associations (Holsteiner Verband and Pferdestammbuch Schleswig-Holstein). It starts with the evaluation of the free jumping by two judges. Afterwards, the mare is presented again to the jury under her own rider in a division of up to four horses to check the basic gaits and rideability. Then the foreign rider test takes place to evaluate the rideability. Mares should mount their rider without difficulty and be able to be ridden remonte in the three basic gaits on the track. The preparation guideline is published here.
Previously, only three- and four-year-old mares were eligible for the field test, but since 2021, five-year-olds can also take the test. "At the request of some breeders, we are happy to make this possible," explained breeding director Stephan Haarhoff, "for those mares that are still given some time until they start training or have already had a foal." In addition, if a mare participates in the field trial on April 21 (only on this date!), she can also be entered directly in the Holsteiner Verband studbook without attending a separate registration date. Please indicate with your entry if you want your mare to be registered in the studbook.
The conformation evaluation for entry into the studbook will be done before the mares are free jumped on the outdoor arena (Horstmanns Garten). The mare's height will be recorded before the presentation. Please also present the mare's equine passport. The evaluation of the basic gaits will be done during the free jumping. A successfully passed mare performance test is, among other things, a prerequisite for the award of a state premium title.
In order to be able to weight the suitability of each mare even better, the evaluation can be dressage or jumping emphasized - depending on what the applicant of the mare has indicated on the entry form. In the case of mares with dressage emphasis, for example, the basic gaits and rideability are given a higher weighting, and in the case of mares with jumping emphasis, free jumping is given a higher weighting. The final score of the field test results from the weightings of the grading of the individual characteristics.
The Holsteiner Verband accepts registrations for the field test: Here you can find the registration form and the announcement to print. You can use the online registration here.
The closing date for entries is 14 days before each test date: on April 7, April 27 and June 8, 2021. If you have any questions about the field test, please feel free to contact Götz Hartmann (Kiel office) at any time: Phone: 0431-305996 1, Mail: hartmann@holsteiner-verband.de
By the way: The mare performance test can also be taken at another German breeding association and then be recognized for the Holsteiner Verband, provided that a corresponding certificate is presented at the Kiel office. The result will also be taken into account for the star model. Please do not hesitate to contact us!
