Mares

MARE GRADING:

Please contact the Main office for grading dates and venues. Gradings take place throughout the summer. Entry forms are available in the Spring. If you have a suitable venue and can guarantee a minimum of 10 mares, we may be able to bring our graders to you.  Please contact the Main office for more details.

BENEFITS OF MARE GRADING:

  1.  The top 3 mares will receive a voucher valued at £400, £300 & £300, which can be redeemed on the registration of a foal by an SHB(GB) Graded Stallion.  Valid for 3 years.    The award will be determined by the grading marks achieved throughout the year.  The Robert Walkden Memorial Trophy will be awarded annually to the owner of the mare that receives the highest marks.
  2. Apart for the mares receiving the top mare awards, all mares achieving Head Stud Book status will be awarded a voucher for a free foal registration (including DNA).  Vouchers are valid for 2 years, to be used on any SHB(GB) Graded Stallion currently registered for the year of covering.
  3. Recognition with The World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses.
  4. Entry into one of the SHB (GB) Stud Books and thereby progeny eligible for Stud Book papers.  The progeny must be by an SHB(GB) Graded or Approved Stallion or the sire must be registered as a breeding stallion with another official breed society.  The progeny of SHB(GB) Graded Mares by unregistered stallions will not be eligible for the Stud Book.
  5. All progeny eligible to compete in the BS age classes.

ELITE MARES:
Mares will be granted the title ELITE if either they or their progeny fulfill the following criteria:
● DRESSAGE – Placed at CDI*** competition at Intermediare 1/11 or Grand Prix.
● EVENTING – Completed a CCI**** and/or placed in the top 12 of a CCI*** event
● SHOW JUMPING – Placed in Grand Prix at CSI or CSIO competition and/or competed on a Nations Cup Team.
● RACING – Have a BHB Timeform rating of a minimum of 110 on the Flat or a National Hunt BHB Official Handicap rating of 145 or higher or have progeny competing at any of these levels.

GENERAL RULES APPLYING TO ALL MARES:
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR MARE GRADING MARES MUST:

  1. Be 148cm or above.
  2. Be 3 years old or over.
  3. Submit a sample for a DNA test for which the owner is liable for the cost once accepted into any of the Stud Books.
  4. Be registered on the SHB(GB) Basic Identity Register, or be in possession of a Passport issued by a recognised organisation.
  5. Be owned by a current member of the SHB(GB)

ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIFIC SECTIONS OF THE STUDBOOK WILL BE DECIDED BY:

1. Grading status with the former NLHBS OR
2. Grading status with other breed societies OR
3. Number of proven generations of pedigree and marks awarded at grading.

Mares presented for a SHB (GB) Grading will be required to be shown in hand to assess conformation and paces following an initial trot up on a hard surface.  All mares must be presented in bridles and foals must be led at all times.

Mares which are not sound must submit a letter from a Veterinary Surgeon stating the reason for the unsoundness.  This will be taken into account when their final mark is calculated.

Mares owners also have the option of presenting their mares under saddle in addition to the in hand assessment.  Mares who satisfy the judges as to their rideability in this way or can provide proof of ridden competition success in sport may be awarded the complimentary initial R (for Ridden) in front of their graded status.
Mares who are transferred from another Stud Book may also be awarded the complimentary initial R if they can provide proof of ridden competition success.

If following grading, a mare goes on to compete successfully, it may be possible for her to upgrade to a higher stud book.  Please contact the office for further details.

HEAD STUD BOOK:
To be eligible for the Head Stud Book mares must:

  1. Be a grade 1 NLHBS mare OR
  2. Have 3 generations of proven pedigree and be a Head, Select or equivalent status mare in a recognised Sport Horse or Warmblood Stud Book either in the UK or abroad OR
  3. Have 3 generations of proven pedigree and achieve a grading mark of 8 or above at a SHB (GB) mare grading OR
  4. If less than 3 generations of proven pedigree, achieve a mark of 8.5 or above and have a BHB official handicap of 80 or higher on the flat or a National Hunt BHB official handicap rating of 100 or higher or be an Advanced Eventer, Grade A Showjumper or Advanced Dressage mare or have progeny competing at any of these levels OR
  5. Reach the required level of performance to be Elite or have progeny that meet the criteria and achieve a grading mark of five or above at an SHB (GB) Mare Grading.

MAIN STUD BOOK:
To be eligible for the Main Stud Book mares must:

  1. Be a grade II NLHBS mare OR
  2.  Have 2 generations or more of proven pedigree and be a Main or equivalent status mare in a recognised Sport Horse or Warmblood Stud Book either in the UK or abroad OR
  3. Have 2 generations of proven pedigree and achieve a grading mark of 6.5 or above at a SHB(GB) mare grading OR
  4.  Have less than 2 generations of proven pedigree and achieve a grading mark of 8.5 or above at a SHB(GB) mare grading

FOUNDATION STUD BOOK:
To be eligible for Foundation Stud Book mares must have:

  1.  Foundation Book or equivalent status in a recognised Sport Horse or Warmblood Stud Book either in the UK or abroad OR
  2.  Achieve a grading mark of 5 or above at an SHB(GB) mare grading

NLHBS PREVIOUSLY GRADED MARES:
Grade I & II NLHBS mares will be transferred onto the appropriate SHB (GB) Studbook for a transfer fee of £5.00 inc. VAT. These mares do not need to appear at an SHB (GB) Grading, but must provide a sample for a DNA test with the relevant fee.

MARES GRADED WITH OTHER SOCIETIES:
These Mares do not need to appear at an SHB(GB) Mare Grading and will be entered into the appropriate Stud Book according to their current graded status.  There will be a fee to overstamp their recognised Passport  and They will have to submit a sample for DNA testing with the relevant fee.

MARES ON THE BASIC IDENTITY RECORD:
These mares will need to come forward to an SHB (GB) Grading and if successful submit a sample for a DNA test together with the relevant fee.

MARES NOT REGISTERED WITH THE SHB(GB):
These mares will need to be registered on the Basic Identity Record and will be required to attend an official SHB (GB) Mare Grading before being entered into the appropriate Stud Book and if successful submit a sample for a DNA  test together with the relevant fee.