Elite Eligible and Elite Mare Candidacy

In 2000 the Elite Mare program was further refined by introduction of Elite Mare Candidacy (EMC). Recognizing that the primary purpose of the Elite Mare program is to identify the best Hanoverian broodmares, eligible Main Studbook mares that score a seven or better upon inspection are nowadays referred to as being Elite Eligible. Such a mare upon passing the MPT is now termed an Elite Mare Candidate and is recognized as such both at the annual meeting and in the Mare Book section of the Breeders’ Guide & Stallion Directory. An EMC then has three years to produce an AHS registered foal and thereby complete the requirements for Elite Mare status.

Why Performance Test Your Mare?

Owners of all mares entered into the AHS breeding program are encouraged to MPT their horses, regardless of breed. The test provides an objective determination of a mare’s strengths and weaknesses, which can be invaluable in evaluating the future performance use of the animal, and as a tool in making intelligent breeding decisions for the mare. AHS is still investigating the possibility of calculating breed values for Elite stallions, based upon their daughters’ MPT results. However, for results to be statistically significant, a stallion must be represented by a minimum of 10 mares and at this time only a handful of stallions have met this number in the entire history of the society.

Owners choose to have their mare take the MPT for a number of reasons, foremost among which is the goal of attaining Elite Mare status. However, Thoroughbred, Arabian and Anglo-Arabian mares may advance from the Pre-Studbook to the Studbook upon successful completion of the MPT. These statistics show that 37 of 86 Thoroughbreds have accomplished this since 1995, as has the only Arabian and the only Anglo-Arabian tested. The only Hanoverian mares permitted to advance to the Studbook based upon successful completion of the MPT are Pre-Registry A papered horses. Three of five have done so in the last 10 years. AHS discontinued issuing Pre-Registry A papers in 1989 and it follows that such mares are now at least 16 years of age. Nowadays, very few are enrolled for either inspection or the MPT.

The 23 mares that have taken the test more than one time, (one mare has been a triple participant), have met with mixed fortunes. In 10 instances there was no change in the test’s outcome. However, 12 of the Hanoverians received an upgrade to either EM or EMC status, and one Thoroughbred, 12-year-old High Hill Judy xx (Rectory xx-Ravished xx/Iron Warrior xx), improved significantly (from 6.27 to 7.05) to achieve a well-deserved Studbook upgrade. Among Hanoverians, Steve and Bettie Carroll’s Wieta (Wolkenstein II-Lilith/Lauries Crusador xx) showed the greatest score change, improving from 5.78 in 2001 to 7.33 the following year. Her rideability score improved remarkably in this 12-month period. The mare has since gone on to achieve Elite status.

When to Test?

In terms of age, a significant majority of the Hanoverian mares tested, 349 of 525 (66%) were three, four or five years of age. This is as it should be, for the MPT is designed to reveal a mare’s inherent abilities, without benefit of years of training. Having said that, the Hanoverian mares tested range up to 17 years of age, three having completed EM through successful completion of the MPT as “teenagers.” Oldest was Jill Cortis’s EM Easy Girl (Empire-SPS Wendy/Wendekreis) that successfully completed the test in 1996 as a 14-year-old. This older age class is especially evident among the Thoroughbred population, with 46 of 86 (53%) being tested at ten years of age or older. As a point of interest, the oldest mare ever presented for performance testing was Ken Borden’s exquisite Thoroughbred Electrically xx (Successfully xx-Bertie’s Gal xx/*Martin’s Gold xx). This beautiful mare scored an overall “8” when inspected as a 17-year-old in 1997. She took the MPT the following year and, despite being 18 years of age, scored an 8.5 for her free jumping. She completed the test with an overall score of 6.5 and a performance record.

Resources

A very comprehensive article entitled “Mare Performance Test: Frequently Asked Questions” by AHS Mare and Stallion Committee Chair Suzanne Quarles was originally published in the Spring 2003 issue of The AmericanHanoverian. It answers virtually any question a member may have regarding the MPT and may be accessed in the archive section of the society’s website. Additional inquires are welcome and may be directed to the central office. Another very useful tool is the Society’s newly produced Free Jumping Clinic video or DVD. Filmed on location at Hilltop Farm in Maryland, this three-hour program is a valuable resource for members who have been unable to attend a clinic or who do not have access to a free jumping expert in their area.

Hugh Bellis-Jones has served as AHS Executive Director since the summer of 1995. After obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in England, he emigrated to the U.S. in 1976, and since that time has been employed in the horse industry in Lexington, Ky. In addition to his duties at the central office, he is the AHS’s representative to the Federation of North American Sport Horse Registries and is also co-manager of the Federation’s 100-Day Stallion Performance Test which is held in the United States every other year. He is also an active member of the USDF’s Sport Horse Breeding Committee. Hugh holds a Master of Science Degree from the University of Kentucky and lives in central Kentucky with his family, horses and dogs. He is available through the central office to answer any questions regarding the Hanoverian registration and approval process.