SPORTS PONY STUDBOOK SOCIETY

  A DEFRA approved Passport Issuing Organisation

Studbook Office: The Last House, Keysoe Row West, Keysoe, Bedfordshire MK44 2JJ

Tel: 07703 566066    Email: 

Normal office hours - Monday to Friday 10.30 am to 4 pm

2021 SPSS Gradings & Evaluations
Mares - Stallions - Youngstock

Click here to jump to Entry Information

There will be a blended approach to SPSS Gradings in 2021. We anticipate running full in-person stallion & mare gradings at a limited number of venues in August (COVID restrictions & God willing!) and will once again be offering virtual Mare eGradings via video footage over the summer and Stallion Pre-assessment (by video) as an option.

If you have any questions or queries, please call the SPSS Studbook Office on 07703 566066

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Entry Forms

More about:

Stallion eAssessment/Grading

Mare Grading (inc eGrading)

Youngstock

Video Requirements

Costs

Rosettes and Sashes waiting to be posted to the top youngstock and mares in 2020

Flu Vaccination Requirements

All in-person grading entrants and any yearlings upwards forward for evaluation must have a current vaccination against Equine Influenza which complies with the following conditions:

• Two injections for primary vaccination, not less than 21 days and not more than 92 days apart, are required;

• A first booster injection must be given within seven months after the second injection of primary vaccination;

• Subsequent booster injections must be given at intervals of not more than one year, commencing after the first booster injection;

• The most recent booster injection must have been given within the six calendar months prior to the horse arriving at the event (but not within the 7 days immediately before the event).

The Record of Vaccination(s) in the equine’s passport must be completed by an appropriate veterinary surgeon, signed and stamped line by line. in accordance with the FEI rules including a vaccination within 6 months (but more than one week) before the grading.

Meeting the challenge of 2021

in association with the British Breeding Futurity

Stallion Grading

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STALLION GRADING PATHWAY

As shown in the flow chart, stallions can be presented for entered directly for "in-person" grading or for a prior eAssessment followed by in-person grading (if accepted at eAsssessment).

Provided that at least 5 stallions have been inspected on the day, the highest scoring stallion of that day will be declared as the Champion Stallion for that region(s) and will receive an additional rosette & sash. The next highest scoring stallion will become the Reserve Champion Stallion. The SPSS reserves the right to combine or split days/regions depending on entry numbers (we anticipate that a minimum of 5 stallions need to have been inspected for a Champion/Reserve to be declared).  

Then, after the last stallion grading, the stallion with the highest score across all of the venues will be declared as the 2018 Supreme Champion Stallion and receive an additional rosette & sash. The next highest scoring stallion will become the 2018 Reserve Supreme Champion Stallion and receive an additional rosette & sash.

The eAssessment Process (optional)

Stallions can be presented for a pre-grading virtual assessment that, should they be assessed by the SPSS as acceptable, will allow them to cover as interim stallions for 2021/2022 and issue SPSS Covering Certificates for this period. They will be then be required to be presented at a full SPSS stallion grading in 2021 or 2022.

Entry for eAssessment can be any time. Please send your video(s) showing conformation and paces (correctness and athleticism), completed entry form, membership application/renewal form (if not a current member) and scans/clear photos of the pedigree & other key pages in the passport to us via WeTransfer (wetransfer.com). The fees due can be paid either by bank transfer (details on forms) or by posting a cheque. Once all the necessary information has been received and the fee has been paid, there are 3 stages to acceptance.

Stage 1. The SPSS judges will review the video(s) and make a decision on whether or not the stallion can proceed to the next stage of the eAssesment or not.

 

Stage 2. The owners of stallions permitted to go forward to the next stage will have to:

(a) provide evidence that he is free from hereditary disease or defects either by getting a vet out to complete the SPSS vetting form or by providing a recent vet’s certificate (that equates to our form and specifically includes freedom from hereditary disease and defects) or evidence from another studbook/breed society that he has passed an equivalent vetting (this should be in the form of a copy of the vets form supplied to that society).

(b) either supply a copy of an existing DNA profile for your stallion or send us a DNA hair sample (taken by a vet) and £50 (by cheque or bank transfer) so that we can get a DNA profile done.

(c) for stallions on or near our height limit of 158cm, provide proof of current height and a JMB height certificate once at mature height (normally age 7) and before a permanent licence is issued. Should a stallion prove to be over the height limit at any time after grading then SPSS graded status will be withdrawn and the entry and other fees will not be refunded.

(d) send the stallion’s passport into the SPSS Studbook Office

Stage 3. The stallion owner will be formally notified that their stallion may issue SPSS Covering Certificates for 2021 and 2022 and provided with a book of 10 certificates. The stallion will be promoted alongside the graded SPSS Stallions in 2022 but MUST attend a full SPSS Stallion Grading in either 2021 or 2022 where they will be fully assessed, including loose jumping and ridden (depending on age). There will be no additional entry fee to attend the 2021/2 Grading and the SPSS team will make every effort to consider the location of these pre-entered stallions when planning events, especially if there are 3 or more in a region.

Notes:

• Loose jumping is NOT a requirement of eAssessment and should NOT under any circumstances be included in videos but is mandatory at the subsequent full grading.

• • Only stallions that have been accepted at a full SPSS grading are eligible for the Stallion Champion title in any year.

• There will not be any scores, detailed feedback or mark sheets from the eAssessment process.

• Stallions that are not accepted at Stage 1 but the judges feel may mature and develop to be acceptable given time may be presented at a full SPSS Stallion Grading in the future at no further entry fee or may choose to receive the partial refund detailed below.

In-Person Stallion Grading

At the grading, each stallion is assessed in hand for conformation, then in hand and loose for paces and loose down a jumping lane (normally 3 fences). Then, in general:

• 2 year old stallions are not ridden

• 3 year old stallions may be ridden if they are ready but those that aren’t are not disadvantaged

• We expect 4 year old stallions will be ridden, but the judges will take into account how long they’ve been backed when assessing them

• We expect older stallions to be ridden but will consider exceptions on a case by case basis. Exceptions will normally only be made when an older stallion has proven progeny.

All entrants are seen in-hand/loose before any are seen ridden.

Note the SPSS vaccination requirements (here) and that, where we are sharing a venue with the Futurity, any additional requirements that they set will also have to be met.

Click here to download an information sheet about SPSS Stallion Grading

Click here to download an information sheet about SPSS Stallion eAssessment

Jacke Mathieson will be the lead judge for the 2021 Stallion Gradings. 

Mare Gradings

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Mares can be presented for entered directly for "in-person" grading or for  “eGrading”. Both "in-person" and eGrading" give permanent graded status into the appropriate Mare Studbook depending on their score and completeness of pedigree. Read more here.

After the 2021 grading window has closed on 1st November, all eligible mares will be grouped by region (ensuring that there are at least 5 mares in a group) and the highest scoring mare will become the Champion Mare and the next highest scoring the Reserve Champion Mare for that region.  Both will receive an extra rosette and the Champion Mare will also get a sash. Then, as long as at least 2 regional champions have been declared, the mare with the highest score overall will be declared as the 2021 Supreme Champion Mare and receive an additional rosette & sash. The next highest scoring mare will become the 2021 Reserve Supreme Champion Mare and receive an additional rosette & sash.

Click here to download an information sheet about SPSS Mare Grading/ eGrading

"In-person" Grading

For 2021, following the success of this route in 2019, British Breeding Futurity have kindly agreed to allow SPSS Mare Grading at all their 2021 evaluation events. This opportunity is open to barren mares (of any age) as well as mares with foals entered for the Futurity. All mares MUST meet the Futurity equine influenza vaccination requirements (see their website here).  See the Info & FAQ page Grading section for more about what happens on the day including turnout and preparation.

The 2021 dates are at the top of this page - here. 

Note the SPSS vaccination requirements (here) and that, where we are sharing a venue with the Futurity, any additional requirements that they set will also have to be met.

eGrading

Entry will be anytime before mid October 2021 (to ensure entrant eligible for 2021 Mare Grading Championship); later entries will be allowed but won'd be eligible for the championships. Please send your video(s) showing conformation and paces (correctness and athleticism), completed entry form, membership application/renewal form (if not a current member) and scans/clear photos of the pedigree & other key pages in the passport to us via WeTransfer (wetransfer.com). The fees due can be paid either by bank transfer (details on forms) or by posting a cheque. Once all the necessary information has been received and the fee has been paid, there are 3 stages to acceptance.

Stage 1. The SPSS judges will review the video(s) and make a decision on whether or not the mare is accepted as SPSS Graded or not and informally notify the owner.

Stage 2. The owners of mares that are accepted will have to:

(a) either supply a copy of an existing DNA profile for your mare or send us a DNA hair sample (taken by a vet). This sample will be stored by the SPSS in case it is necessary to DNA profile the mare in the future.

(b) send the mare’s passport into the SPSS Studbook Office.

Stage 3. The mare’s allocated studbook and graded status will be recorded in her passport which will then be returned to the owner along with and her rosette. The individual scores will not be released until after the end of year awards have been announced when the scores and scoresheets will be released.

The scores of all mares for whom Stage 3 has been completed will be taken forward to the SPSS end of year awards where, as long as at least 5 mares have been graded, the 2021 Mare Grading Champion and Reserve Champion will be declared (based on scores received). Should 10 or more mares be graded then regional groups (of at least 5 mares) will be formed and Regional Champions & Reserve Champions be declared with the top mare overall being the Supreme Mare Champion.

Note that it is unlikely that SPSS Mare Performance Testing will take place in 2021.

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The British Breeding team (who run the Futurity series) will be offering a similar blended approach to the SPSS with both in-person and virtual youngstock evaluations on offer.  Once again, all SPSS passported or overstamped youngstock will also be eligible for an SPSS Premium, based on their Futurity Evaluations score, whether evaluated in-person or virtually.

Where we are not running in association with the Futurity, SPSS Youngstock Evaluations will take place - for SPSS passported or overstamped youngstock only.

To be eligible for the end of year awards, the passport must be sent to the SPSS Studbook Office so the result can be properly recorded and the appropriate SPSS Premium rosette (if not awarded on the day) will be sent back with the passport.

The scores of all eligible youngstock will be taken forward to the SPSS end of year awards which will include rosettes for the Top Foal, Yearling, 2 Year Old & 3 Year Old; Top Filly, Colt & Gelding and Top Pony & Top Small Horse. Provided there are at least 25 eligible youngstock, Youngstock Champion and Reserve Champion Sashes and Rosettes will also be awarded.

Should any SPSS passported pony/horse not be eligible for the Futurity due to their requirement for the sire to be licensed then please contact us directly as we will endeavour to facilitate their assessment.

Youngstock Evaluation Fee - Evaluation through Futurity (virtual or in-person) or by SPSS in-person:

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Note - please refer to the Futurity Guidelines for their Virtual Futurity (ie by video)

Video Requirements (for Mare eGrading & Stallion eAssessment)

What do I need to do?

Stallions can be put forward for eAssessment at any time and entry for Mare eGrading will open on 1st July 2021. This means that if you have several ponies you would like to enter, you can spread them out a bit, making it more manageable for you.

Please send your video(s) showing conformation and paces (correctness and athleticism), completed entry form, membership application/renewal form (if not a current member) and scans/clear photos of the pedigree & other key pages in the passport to us via WeTransfer (wetransfer.com). The fees due can be paid either by bank transfer (details on forms) or by posting a cheque. Once all the necessary information has been received and the fee has been paid, there are 3 stages to acceptance.

Your mare or stallion will not be assessed on the quality of the video footage or your editing skills, so keep it simple, and don’t worry, videos taken on a smart phone or tablet are perfectly suitable for this. Equally, you can use any type of arena or other surface you have available. If you don’t have an arena, a straight bit of paddock is absolutely fine, as long as the grass is nice and short.

Above all, please ensure you stay safe and adhere to the latest government guidelines including maintaining appropriate social distancing. We have designed this approach with that in mind.

The first section of videos will cover the conformation assessment. For this, you need some hard standing, and a straight bit long enough to show as few steps of walk and trot. You will show your pony standing up and then in hand walking and trotting away from and towards the camera. When your pony is stood, please include footage of both sides from side on as well as from the front and back (from the top of the hindquarters all the way down).

The second section of videos will cover the walk, trot and canter assessment. Loose jumping MUST NOT be included. You will need to get some footage of your pony on both reins in all three gaits. Try and get as much footage side on as possible, as this makes it easiest to assess. For this part, you can use a fenced arena if you have one available, but if not, a flat paddock with short grass is equally fine. Think about the practicalities of having to catch your pony in a large field, and choose one that is not too big, with good, safe fencing. Please avoid anywhere with long grass or tall weeds (or get them mowed first!), as this will obscure parts of the movement.

The walk is usually best shown in hand, make sure you take long and active strides, as this will encourage your youngster to do the same. The trot can be loose or in hand, or you can opt for a combination of the two. The canter will need to be shown loose.  Ideally, please show at least a 20m circle of walk in hand and 20m circle of trot in hand, then a decent length of video of your pony free in trot and canter on both reins.

Happy Filming! If you have any questions or want some further advice, we are only every a phone call away, so do not hesitate to get in touch - plus we have included links to sample videos below:

Video of whole process - here

Standing your equine up - here

We wish to thank the British Breeding Futurity team for their support with our eGrading and eAssessments and we hope that our breeders will also enter their foals for the Futurity

Entry Information

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For Stalllion eAssesment or Mare eGrading

Costs

More information

For more information about the 2021 Gradings & eAssessments or the video requirements please follow the links at the top of the page.

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The Sports Pony Studbook Society

Studbook Office:   The Last House, Keysoe Row West, Keysoe, Bedfordshire MK44 2JJ

Tel: 07703 566066    Email: 

A Private Limited Company - Companies House (Cardiff) Registration No. 4106148

Registered Office: The Stables, Higher Farm, Limington, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8EG