IBOP: WHAT IS IT THE JUDGES LOOK AT?

Every year many Friesian horses take part in IBOP tests. But what exactly are these tests about and what aspects of these horses are considered for assessment? What are the judges looking for?
The IBOP is a test for horses of four years and older designed to establish an objective assessment of a horse’s natural aptitude and suitability for a specific use. At the same time the IBOP is a means to collect data which the KFPS uses for breeding value estimates of sport aptitude. There are three disciplines: a riding-, driving- and show driving test. The owner has the authority to decide who is going to ride and train the horse and which discipline the horse will take part in. Taking part in IBOP tests is limited to two times per year. In case the maximum of two IBOP tests takes place on one day then the horse has to complete the tests in two different disciplines.
The IBOP is designed to test a horse’s aptitude and suitability. ‘In first instance we focus on the three basic gaits: walk, trot and canter. Focus areas are tact, regularity and scope. We then consider if they have natural balance and posture and assess their use of the body. Furthermore we check their ability for transitions and changing gears and whether use of the hind leg is satisfactory’, Performance Jury member Herman Smit tells us. It is about what the horses will pass on and not about what they have learned.
‘During the test we simply want to see horses that are obedient and relaxed. The rider shouldn’t ride the horse but merely guide it. The best condition for assessing natural aptitude is a horse that moves nicely and easily through its body with a fine contact showing as much relaxation as possible.’

Assessment bars and criteria
The IBOP tests are judged on the basis of assessment bars. In the riding- and driving tests walk, trot, canter and self-carriage /balance are each counted twice. Additional scores are given for suppleness, transitions and impulsion. Smit: ‘For use of the body we like to see a horse that lowers the hindquarters and rises in the forehand. The overall picture should be uphill. Balance is about the correct sense of equilibrium shown in all paces.’
‘For the assessment of suppleness we look, for instance, at how the horse moves through the turns. A good way to assess use of the hind leg is by looking at transitions and extending paces’, Herman Smit explains. For the capacity to switch gears we evaluate transitions between and within the paces. Impulsion is the horse’s natural urge to move forwards, but always controlled and dictated by the rider or driver.
In the show driving test the walk is weighed once, but the scores for trot and use of the foreleg in trot are counted twice. Use of the hind legs is also weighed once and self-carriage/balance are counted twice. Additional scores are given for front, suppleness and impulsion. For show driving the canter is not assessed. Compared to the riding- and driving test, the distinguishing features in trot in the IBOP show driving test are characterised by a marked moment of suspension, more and higher action in foreleg and hind leg and an overall proud posture.

As posted in the KFPS June 2016 Newsletter