Rules & Regulations

ABFP Requirements

Purpose: In order to promote the retention of approved stallions in North America, FHANA has developed this plan to facilitate the offspring testing of stallions provisionally approved for breeding after successfully completing the Stallion Approval process in North America. Offspring of these stallions will be eligible to participate in this process until the required number of offspring have been evaluated either in The Netherlands or here in North America.

Requirements for ABFP

1. Purpose
The objective of the ABFP test is to provide an objective way to establish aptitude as a dressage and/or driving and/or show driving horse. Willingness to work and stable behavior will be assessed as well. The ABFP test is primarily intended to test three, four and five-year-old mares, geldings and stallions so that the best possible estimate of their aptitude for dressage and/or harness competition can be made at a young age. If the horse passes this test, the owner shall be issued a certificate. The results of the test are published in Phryso and at the FHANA/KFPS website. The total score is not recorded (in) on the studbook papers. Participating in an ABFP test can be included as a prerequisite for obtaining the Star, Crown or Model predicate (see theFHANA/ KFPS registration regulations).

2. Selection of ABFP Horses

The FHANA and KFPS will consider members who volunteer their horses to participate in the testing. Horses must be fit and in good physical condition. Horses must have a minimum of 3 weeks of basic ground work including lunging, ground work, and stable manners. The number of horses accepted at a site may vary, depending on the number of stallion candidates also being evaluated at the same time. As a general rule, 10 horses will be accepted at in Michigan and 8 horses in California. If more than 18 horses are volunteered, the selection will be made by a blind drawing. Horses that have attended an inspection that year will have priority. To secure their acceptance, owners must remit the required payment of $500.00 to FHANA within 10 days of notification of acceptance. This payment will be non-refundable.

3. Location

The location of the ABFP test is the responsibility of FHANA and the KFPS. Presently there are two sites, one at Blue Dreamin Farms, Ahwahnee, CA and one at Centenial Acres Equestrian Center, Holland, MI.

4. Time of proving
The complete ABFP test will take 7 weeks.

5. Basic Condition

To be able to compare the mares, geldings and stallions, environmental factors must be as uniform as possible. It would thus be desirable to deliver the horses in a starting condition that is as uniform as possible. It is therefore recommended that the horses have an adequate basic condition to be able to complete the testing. This can be achieved by exercise, light work, and/or lunging. It is advisable (required for horses undergoing offspring testing) to have the horses complete the seven weeks of testing. The five-week course of testing would be sufficient only for (older) horses that have been ridden more extensively.

6. Arrival of the horse/s

Arrival requirements
The horse/s must be delivered by the time designated by FHANA/KFPS.
a. Microchip Requirement-Your horse must have had a transponder implanted previously to participation. If this is not the case, an exemption for this must have been requested and the DNA procedure must have been conducted.
b. Clinical judging. During the clinical judging the horses will be judged in hand, on a straight line and in circle. The defects, faults and irregular movement will be written down. In case the veterinarian, the Inspectors/Judges or the training leader is of the opinion that the horse’s health is of such that he/she would be a risk to the health and well-being of the other horses in the proving station, that horse would not be accepted for the remainder of the testing and will not be allowed to enter the training station. Horses will be examined by a veterinarian upon arrival, and after the end of testing. These costs are also the owner’s responsibility.
c. A Horse that is sick or injured, by the designated start date, must still arrive that day for the clinical judging (unless he/she has a contagious disease or cannot be moved because of his illness or his/her injury). If the horse cannot come at the appointed time because of those reasons, you have to inform the FHANA office ahead of time. FHANA/KFPS reserves the right to inspect the horse by their chosen veterinarian and he/she will determine if the horse should be able to come for the clinical judging for their chosen date. This postponement will be no later than a time designated by FHANA/KFPS. If the horse still cannot come at that date, he/she could still be eligible for the following ABFP Testing. In case he/she cannot attend the following training, he/she loses the right to attend the training.

7. Feed
During the testing the horse will be fed a balanced ration suitable for horses in training. It will be adjusted as necessary. No supplements of any kind are allowed during the ABFP Training.

8. Shoes and foot care
The owners will be advised to have the horse delivered with shoes on. The shoes must be normal with 8 mm thickness and 22 to 25 mm wide on both the front and back shoes. If by arrival the shoes are not in good condition, this will be repaired and charged to the owner. During the testing the shoes and trimming will be done by a farrier of the training site. Those costs will be charged to the owner of the horse.

9. Additional rules
a. The horse will have to be delivered with a good headstall. The owner needs to supply an English bridle with flash-noseband, a snaffle bit, and reins that fits the horse well.
b. The horse has to be supplied with a good halter, and blanket. These articles will be used exclusively by the horse they come with and will not be used by other horses, to prevent the spread of any possible fungus or disease.

10. Other requirements.
a. The horse has to be current with Influenza/Rhinopneumonitis/Tetanus/West Nile and Eastern & Western Encephalomyelitis vaccinations. A record of their vaccinations must accompany the horse.
b. If he/she needs a booster the horse owner has to inform the testing station so that he/she can get it at the correct time. All horses must be on a regular deworming program, schedule must accompany horse to training facility.
c. The horse will not be allowed at the testing station if his/her vaccinations are not current and up to date. Owners should check with the training facility to determine if regional vaccines are required.

11. Training, judging and Reports.
a. The horses are trained five times per week. Targeted work is done five times a week, becoming progressively more intensive over the course of the test; the horses are turned out once a week. There is also one rest day each week. The horses receive a varied training, and the training is adapted to the needs of the individual horses. Training is made up of the following components:

• dressage under the saddle;
• driving work;
• lunging.
b. Testing reveals the horse’s willingness to work, including instances when it is asked to make more of an effort. The assessment of willingness to work, which is in fact of key importance, is therefore well substantiated. The test is, after all, about talent as a utility-/sport horse. The head of training and the riders may receive no tokens of appreciation during the evaluation, nor should they be encouraged in that direction.
c. The training facility will keep a daily log of each horse, noting anything out of the ordinary, and logging the horse’s temperature at the same time, once each day.
Assessment
d. The horses will be assessed a maximum of four times. The progress made in performance will be considered when arriving at the final score. These scores are then the final scores for the assessment of aptitude as a driving horse and/or riding mount. The scoring of each element will be expressed in half and whole points. In the assessment, attention is devoted explicitly to the aptitude of the horse.

e. For each horse, two series of assessment scores will be made up. One for suitability as a riding mount, one for suitability as a driving horse. A separate score will be given for suitability as a show driving horse.

f. The Following components will be assessed:

Riding Test
• Walk
• Trot
• Canter
• Carriage & Balance
• Agility
• Transitions
• Impulsions

Riding ability:
Walk Trot Canter Carriage & Balance Agility Transitions Impulsion
2x 2x 2x 2x 1x 1x 2x

Driving Test
• Walk
• Trot
• Carriage & Balance
• Agility
• Transitions
• Impulsions

Driving suitability:
Walk Trot Carriage &
Balance Agility Transitions Impulsions
2x 2x 2x 1x 2x 2x

Willingness to work: behavior towards people in which key aspects are the
horse’s disposition (attentive, phlegmatic, playful, nervous), its temperament and
its manners/reliability.

Here, the following definitions apply:
Temperament: extent and speed of reacting to stimuli.
Manners/reliability: reacting to the same stimulus in the same positive manner
and responding in a trustworthy fashion to people and to other horses.

Ease of handling: behavior in the stable, while being fed and groomed. Any sign
of stable vices (e.g. weaving and cribbing) will automatically lead to a rating of
“unsatisfactory” for the stable behavior component.

12. Getting behind in the Training Schedule
a. If a horse gets so far behind in the training schedule that it will not be possible to complete the final examination, the jury will consult with the owner about referring the horse to a later test. Any extra expenses for a possible longer stay at the testing station will be billed to the owner.
b. Should the horse not be able due to veterinary reasons to complete the ABFP test within the established time period, efforts will be made in accordance with the objective of having the horse complete the ABFP test at a later time if this is possible.

13. Trainers:
a. Martinus Hoekstra will be in charge of the testing in California. Alfons van Proosdij will be in charge in Michigan. They will determine if additional riders are needed. The judgments of the riders will be part of the final determination.

14. Veterinarians.
a. Any other veterinarian services will be restricted to illness and injury. These costs will be transferred to the owners of the horse. If a horse gets ill or injured during the testing, the veterinarian can ask for further advice and the horse could be brought to a veterinarian clinic or hospital. These costs will also be borne by the owner of the horse.

15. Costs to participate in ABFP Training.

The costs associated to participate in the ABFP training must be paid in advance. The cost for the training is $500. Additional costs may occur.
• You will be paying $45.00 per day that your horse is at Blue Dreamin’ Farms and Centenial Acres Equestrian pre or post training.

16. Responsibilities:
a. It is recommended the owners of the horse/s have their horse insured and the place of training should have liability insurance that would cover the visiting horse/s. FHANA and the KFPS will not be responsible for any cost. FHANA and the KFPS will also not be responsible for results that come from the testing. By participating in the ABFP testing, the owner agrees to all requirements listed and agrees not to hold the FHANA or the KFPS responsible for any results.

17. Information about your horse during training:
a. It is imperative that it is restful in the stalls during training. They are therefore, closed during the training. It is absolutely imperative that the horses are trained in a peaceful environment. If an owner wants to see the training, they will have to make an appointment with FHANA. There will be no reports furnished during the training. In case of injury or illness the owner will be informed by telephone immediately.

18. Drug testing.

A horse may be tested two weeks before the start of testing, the final testing and a delayed testing. A horse that tests positive will be disqualified. FHANA/KFPS will follow the United States Equestrian Federation Rules and Regulations GR 410 Equine Drugs and Medications, The Therapeutic Substance Provision.

19. Complaints:

All complaints over the handling of the horse during the testing will have to be made to the FHANA /KFPS offices in writing.

20. Provision of Information
During the ABFP test, no information will be conveyed regarding the behavior and progress of the horses.

21. Results
The jury committee records its findings on a certificate. If necessary, it supplements the scores with a short explanatory note and supplies all information of significance. Finally, the jury committee authenticates the certificate by dating and signing it. At the end of the test, the results will be reported to the parties concerned. On completion of the activities, the certificate will be mailed to those concerned. The results will also be published in Phyrso and at the FHANA/KFPS website.

22. Conditions
By having the horse take part in the ABFP test, the owner declares him/herself in agreement with the above. The board of the FHANA & KFPS shall decide on all matters not covered by these general conditions.