Mares that meet certain requirements can be awarded a premium by the Verband der Züchter des Holsteiner Pferdes e.V. These are the district premium, the association premium, and the state premium in ascending order of value. At the delegates' assembly at the end of last year, a statute amendment was passed that rewards exceptional athleticism in mares and makes the awarding of the association premium more accessible on this basis.
In this video, Breeding Director Stephan Haarhoff explains which modification applies with immediate effect for the awarding of an association premium:
To summarise once again…
Up until now, three- or four-year-old mares meeting the pedigree requirements to become a stallion’s dam could only receive an association premium if they had achieved a total score of 52 points at the time of registration. Their conformation had to be rated at least 8 and their height at the withers at least 1.60 metres. They were also required to take part in the annual association mare show in Elmshorn.
With immediate effect, three- and four-year-old mares meeting the pedigree requirements for a stallion’s dam can now also receive an association premium even if their assessment at registration was slightly lower, provided they have distinguished themselves through exceptional athleticism during their broodmare test: An association premium may also be awarded with a total score of 50 or 51, provided that the conformation mark is at least a 7 and the mare measures at least 1.60 metres at the withers. She should take part in the association’s mare show and may receive the association premium if she has completed the broodmare test with an average mark of 8.5. Furthermore, at the owner’s request, these mares may be awarded an association premium retrospectively if, at the time of registration, they cannot yet provide evidence of having successfully passed a broodmare test with a score of at least 8.5, but have achieved certain age-appropriate competition successes as four- to six-year-olds.
The State Premium is awarded in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Areas, Europe and Consumer Protection of the State of Schleswig-Holstein and remains, as previously stated: 52 points upon mare registration (conformation mark of at least 8), a height at the withers of at least 1.60 metres, and a pass in a broodmare test with an average mark of at least 7.0.
The #holsteinerheldinnen series is dedicated to our Holsteiner mares. Here you can find out interesting facts about the history, Holsteiner mare lines and the latest developments regarding mare registration, the awarding of premiums and much more.
Part 1: The Importance of Mare Lines
Photo: Janne Bugtrup
