Selection of Breeding Stock

The Committee’s first task has been to identify and select the mares and the stallions here in North American that are most likely to produce high quality show jumping horses. In simple terms, to be selected for the Program, mares and stallions must have BOTH an appropriate jumping pedigree and demonstrated jumping ability or offspring with demonstrated jumping ability.

While simple in principle, the task of identifying and selecting the mares and the stallions for inclusion in the Program has been a difficult one. The selection process is not perfect, and should be recognized as a work in progress. The Committee looks forward to receiving additional information from the membership that was either overlooked or unavailable so that additional mares and stallions may be included in the Program.

The Committee has adopted the criteria used by the PHS for selecting the stallions for the Program. In addition to having an appropriate jumping pedigree, a stallion must meet one or more of the following criteria: i) a score of at least 125 in the jumping index of the stallion performance test; ii) a jumping score of 8.5 in the stallion performance test; iii) a successful competition record; iv) offspring with successful competition records; or v) a breeding value for jumping of at least 120. By way of example, the stallion’s success in USEF level 8/9 jumping competitions, Canadian jumper levels at 1,4 m or above, experience at international levels of competition, or qualification to participate in the World Championships for young show jumpers or the offspring’ s successes at Canadian jumper levels of 1,3 m or above, resp. USEF level 7/8 jumping competitions would be factors considered in favor of including a stallion in the Program. However, successes in hunter competitions will not be considered.

Because competition records are not readily available in the U.S., the Committee relied primarily on stallion performance tests and breeding values for this initial list of stallions. The Committee encourages owners of stallions not otherwise included in this initial list to provide us with the competition records of the stallion or his offspring. The Committee will evaluate these records and if sufficient, may include the stallion into the Program. In addition to the stallions already selected for the PHS, the initial list of North American stallions selected for the Program is set forth below.