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: |
Note that the SPSS Office relocated in April 2014 and the contact details at the top of the page should now be used for all contact with the SPSS | ||||
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2023 SPSS Gradings & Evaluations |
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Click here to jump to Entry Information
There will be a blended approach to SPSS Gradings in 2023.
We anticipate running a few of our own events in August offering full
in-person stallion & mare gradings and youngstock evaluations
(COVID/other restrictions permitting) and will also, like last year,
hopefully work with the AES to offer additional opportunities at
their events. There is also the option to do virtual Mare eGradings via video
footage over the summer.
Stallion Grading Dates
Monday 14th August 2023 (afternoon) Maxted-Massey Stud, Queenholme Bloodstock Stables, Sponge Drove, Willingham, Cambridgeshire CB24 5JN
Monday 21st August 2023 (morning) Northcote Stud, Northcote Road, Old Langho, Blackburn BB6 8BE
Wednesday 30th August 2023 (morning) Catherston Stud, Croft Farm, Over Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 8HX
Mare Grading & Youngstock Evaluation Dates
Monday 14th August 2023 (afternoon) Maxted-Massey Stud, Queenholme Bloodstock Stables, Sponge Drove, Willingham, Cambridgeshire CB24 5JN
Sunday 20th August 2023 (afternoon) Twemlows Stud Farm, Whitchurch, Shropshire SY13 2EZ
Monday 21st August 2023 (morning) Northcote Stud, Northcote Road, Old Langho, Blackburn BB6 8BE
Thursday 24th August 2023 (afternon)
NEW Venue (from 1-3pm) Bailey Farm Equestrian, Llandygywydd, Cardigan, Ceredigion SA43 2QX
Wednesday 30th August 2023 (morning) Catherston Stud, Croft Farm, Over Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 8HX
If there is sufficient demand, we will arrange a date (probably September or early October at Ladykirk Equitation, Ladykirk House Stables, Upsettlington, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1SU
Entries close 1 week before the event's date
Download the entry forms here: Youngstock Evaluation Entry Form
There are limited spaces so please contact us asap if you want to bring your stallion or mare. Late entries will be accepted subject to a surcharge.
All events will be subject to & fully compliant with all COVID restrictions in place at the time plus any venue or Futurity requirements (eg equine flu vaccinations and/or equine health declarations). |
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More about:
Rosettes and Sashes waiting to be posted to the top youngstock and mares in 2021
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Youngstock Evaluations (via Futurity or SPSS)
SPSS passported or overstamped youngstock entered for Futurity can also enter for the 2023 SPSS Youngstock Evaluations and will be awarded an SPSS Premium or Gold Premium based on their Futurity score (whether from the virtual or in-person Futurity). |
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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. Note that SPSS Mare Performance Testing will not take place in 2023 but we hope it will return in 2024.
All events will be subject to & fully compliant with all COVID restrictions in place at the time plus any venue requirements (eg equine flu vaccinations and/or equine health declarations).
SPSS Youngstock Evaluations will take place at all venues doing SPSS Mare Grading - for SPSS passported or overstamped youngstock only. A
We are also offering “virtual” Mare eGradings for those unable to get to an “in-person” event.
Youngstock which are evaluated through the British Breeding “Virtual Futurity” (which is also being done either in -person or via video clips) and are SPSS passported or overstamped will also be eligible for an SPSS Premium, based on their Futurity Evaluation score (entry fee £10 paid to the SPSS in addition to the Futurity entry fee).
The scores of all eligible youngstock will be taken forward to the SPSS end of year awards which we anticipate will include a Youngstock Champion and Reserve Champion, as well as rosettes for the top scorer in various categories. Provided there are at least 25 eligible youngstock, Youngstock Champion and Reserve Champion Sashes and Rosettes will also be awarded. Read more here.
There’s a summary of the video requirements for anyone wanting to present a mare for eGrading here.
Entry Windows:
Lead judges: Jacke Mathieson, Anna Lowndes & Katy Holder-Vale
If you have any questions or queries, please call the SPSS Studbook Office on 07703 566066
All in-person grading entrants and any yearlings upwards forward for evaluation must abide by any requirements of the Futurity and/or the venue. We anticipate that Futurity events will require that all equine attendees (including any travelling companions but excluding foals at foot) have a current vaccination against Equine Influenza which complies with the following conditions:
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. |
Stallion Grading
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STALLION GRADING PATHWAY
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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 2023 Supreme Champion Stallion and receive an additional rosette & sash. The next highest scoring stallion will become the 2023 Reserve Supreme Champion Stallion and receive an additional rosette & sash.
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:
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2021 Stallion Grading Champion Godrics Dionysus (SPSS Elite Danger 36 x Donnerwetter) Bred by Bev & Samantha Brown Photo by kind permission of British Breeding Futurity |
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.
Stallion 2023 Grading Entry Fee
Click here to download an information sheet about SPSS Stallion Grading
Jacke Mathieson & Anna Lowndes will be the lead judges for the 2023 Stallion Gradings. |
Mare Gradings | |
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 2023 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 2023 Supreme Champion Mare and receive an additional rosette & sash. The next highest scoring mare will become the 2023 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 2023, following the success of this route in 2019, British Breeding Futurity have kindly agreed to allow SPSS Mare Grading at all their 2023 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. |
2021 Supreme Champion Mare Sophie (Dressman I x Black Boy) |
The 2023 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 the Futurity and/or venue set will also have to be met. |
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eGrading
Entry will be anytime before mid October 2023 (to ensure entrant eligible for 2023 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.
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 2023 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.
Mare Grading Entry Fee (eGrading or In-person)
N.B. Owners need to be paid up SPSS Members to make a Mare Grading entry.
Note that it is unlikely that SPSS Mare Performance Testing will take place in 2023.
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Youngstock | |
2021 SPSS Supreme Youngstock Champion Henza She’s On Fire (FS Numero Uno x Dressman I) Bred by Diane Kilshaw |
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: £10 for passported or overstamped
youngstock evaluated through the Futurity or by SPSS in-person (free for foals passported
SPSS by 1st October). There is a discount for multiple
youngstock owned by a current SPSS member with the fee reducing to £8 each
for 2 youngstock and £5 each for 3 or more youngstock. Note that for foals
that have not yet been passported, then a deposit of £25 is also
required, which is refundable against the passport/overstamping
cost. £35 for youngstock
NOT passported or overstamped by the SPSS before entry. This fee includes
overstamping by the SPSS for all youngstock gaining at least a
Premium. Download the Youngstock
Evaluation Rules & Entry Form -
here |
Note - please refer to the Futurity Guidelines for their Virtual Futurity (ie by video)
Video Requirements (for Mare eGrading)
What do I need to do?
Entry for Mare eGrading will open on 1st July 2023. 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: |
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Video of whole process - here Standing your equine up - here We wish to thank the British Breeding Futurity team for their support with our eGradings and we hope that our breeders will also enter their foals and other youngstock for the Futurity |
Entry Information
Mare eGrading entries will open on the 1st July and will remain open until the end of the year.
Entry Windows: "In-person" events - SPSS Mare/Stallion Grading Entries are open until 8th August. Mare eGrading - 1st July - end 2023 for virtual but note that only mares for which all stages of eGrading have been completed by 1st November will be eligible for the 2023 Mare Grading Championships.
Download the entry forms here:
Only members can enter stallions & mares for Grading (including Mare eGrading) - if you want to join ahead of entry, here is the form, but it's fine to enter your stallion/mare and join/renew your membership at the same time.
Youngstock Evaluations are open to non-members
Click here to download an information sheet about SPSS Stallion Grading Click here to download an information sheet about SPSS Mare Grading/ eGrading
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For Mare eGrading
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 the entry has been made via WeTransfer, the videos uploaded will be checked then once we have the payment and all information that we require your entry will proceed to the judging phase. Costs
Stallion 2023 Grading Entry Fee
Mare Grading/eGrading Entry Fee
N.B. Owners need to be paid up SPSS Members to make a Stallion/Mare Grading or Mare eGrading entry.
Youngstock Evaluation Fee - Evaluation through Futurity (virtual or in-person) or by SPSS in-person:
Entries for in-person events will be 7th August; for virtual eGrading, entries close at the end of 2023 but note that only mares for which all stages of eGrading have been completed by 1st November will be eligible for the 2023 Mare Grading Championships.
The latest SPSS Rule book can be download here.
For video only assessments - as the video footage is required at the point of entry, there is no anticipated reason for withdrawing; hence, it is unlikely that there would be a refund for anyone withdrawing their pony from the process once the entry has been made.
For Mare/Stallion in-person assessments - please see relevant Entry Form
For Youngstock Evaluations - There will be no refund of entry fee for withdrawals but another pony can be substituted or the entry can carried forward to another date/venue.
For more information about the 2023 Gradings & Mare eGradings 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: |