SWANA Digital Inspection Tour 2020

The Ridesum app is free to download and to use. For information on how to get the app, how to create an account and how to find the SWB judges to book a time for the inspection; please see this link: RIDESUM

Once your horse is entered and confirmed, you may go ahead and find either one of the two judges in the Ridesum list of trainers and experts: Christina Olsson and Jan-Ove Olsson from SWB in Sweden, that are available for the inspection. Their calendars will display the times that are available so you can go ahead and book a time. A confirmation from the judge will arrive in the app shortly thereafter. 

Foals

Registered SWB foals, may be presented for inspection during the SWANA Inspection Tour.  The SWB judges will evaluate foals at the dam’s side, with the foal free, and the dam in hand.  Foals will be shown in hand with halter and lead for evaluation of conformation, walk and trot.

Mares

Only mares that are to be graded for quality and have not been evaluated at an earlier date need to be evaluated for conformation. Mares are evaluated in three different areas; a 30-point scale: Type, HNB (head, neck and body) and Legs. Mares of all ages are scored however are not classified. The judges will score each and every area on a scale from 1-10 where the use of half points (0,5) is possible. The score is given with one decimal.

The petition for a quality grading of a mare is done with SWANA. The inspection score sheet along with performance merits and a list of offspring are sent in to the SWANA office.

 

Weanlings, one – and two – year – olds may undergo a general inspection showing their gaits free and in hand. Two-year-olds are required to be shown in a bridle. They can be shown on the same track as the 3-4-year-olds.

Older horses that are to be branded also need to undergo a general inspection before a branding can occur. The general inspection is also for any horse where the owner would like to have it inspected and evaluated.

The horse will be judged in six areas with a maximum score of ten possible in each area:

• Type
• Head/neck/body
• Legs
• Walk (in hand)
• Trot (in hand)
• Free Canter

Foals, yearlings, and two-year-olds will be divided into four classes:

Class I	45 points and above with no score lower than five
Class II	42-44 points with no score lower than five
Class III	40-41 points with no score lower than five
Class IV	<40 points or any single score lower than five

Class III and above registered SWB horses only are eligible for branding.

The young horse test encourages earlier riding and training of the young horse and builds a closer cooperation among breeders, trainers, and judges, which in turn results in more young horses partnered with the right rider. From a breeding standpoint, it should lead to a better identification of good mares for breeding as 3-year-olds. Horses of all genders are eligible to participate in the test. The test serves as a performance test for mares and is the foundation for the performance star – rating of mares.

OVERVIEW OF THE YOUNG HORSE TEST
The horse is judged in the following two categories:

1. Gaits in freedom, free jumping and conformation.
Evaluation is best done indoors in a riding arena. It is recommended that the horse is shown for evaluation of canter at liberty first, then free jumping and finally shown in hand for evaluation of its conformation.

2. Voluntary riding test.
This riding test is mandatory for horses to be eligible to qualify for diploma. The riding test is done with groups of 1-4 horses, ridden in walk, trot and canter in both directions according to the judge’s directions.

The riding horse test is an assessment of dressage and jumping talents, consisting of the 4-5-year-old division and the open division for horses from 6 years and up . Horses that have been inspected before in the young horse test are welcome to return and do the riding horse test. Please observe that we welcome all breeds and ages for the riding horse test. 

For the 4-5-year-old division, mares that were bred at age three may enroll in the riding horse test as five-six year-olds. Horses in this division are eligible for diplomas.

The open division of the riding horse test is for horses from 6 years of age. Horses in this division receive an excellence award if they score in the top of the class.

Horses are tested and evaluated at three stations. These three areas are health, conformation and gaits, and the choice of free jumping or jumping under saddle. If the assessment is interrupted by the judge, the horse will receive a rating based on the stations completed.

There are three levels of inspection:

Alternative 1 is open to all horses and consists of Conformation, gaits under rider and free jumping or jumping under rider.

Alternative 2 A is open only to horses with a previous young horse test and consists of conformation and jumping under rider.

Alternative 2 B is open only to horses with a previous young horse test and consists of conformation and gaits under rider.

Overview

• Identity verification
• Registration verification
• Conformation evaluation
• Riding test
• Jumping test (Owner chooses between free or under saddle.)
• Horse must be presented in a bridle with reins.
• No shoes with pads.
• No studs.
• Handler must wear appropriate attire for showing horse in hand.

The horse will be measured on hard level surface.

Conformation & Gaits
Test is ridden in a 20 x 60 meter arena. Horse and rider are given a few minutes to get acquainted with the arena. The judge will give directions and the following work will be expected:

• Working trot (posting), following the track in both directions.
• 20 meter circles in both directions, showing transitions to the walk.
• Show variations of lengthening the stride and tempo of the trot, down the long side or across the diagonal.
• Walk in both directions on a long rein and with light contact, then back to a working trot, making the transitions to canter.
• Working canter on 20 meter circles, showing the canter in a two point position (light seat).
• On the 20 meter circles, the reins must be given for 2-3 strides to show proof of self-carriage.
• On the middle circle, during posting trot, stretch the horse (long and low) while maintaining the trot rhythm.
• Free walk.
• Dismount and remove saddle. Line up on the centerline for conformation judging.

Jumping Under Saddle
Owner chooses between free or under saddle.

 

Free Jumping

The ground pole in the corner is a cut white pole, preferably two since the diagonal distance is longer in the corner. One more cut pole should be available if the judge wants to use one in between the jumps.

Help fence 1 should have a pole 60 cm (23.6 inches) in height above ground with a ground pole 30 cm (11.8 inches) in front of it. Fence is placed 3 m (9 feet 8 inches) after center point of ground pole in corner. Corner pole is on a diagonal.

Help fence 2 should have a pole 60 cm (23.6 inches) in height above ground with a ground pole 30 cm (11.8 inches) in front of it. This fence is placed 7 m (22 feet 9 inches) in front of help fence 1 and 17, 5 m (57 feet 4 inches) from short end of arena.

Main fence starts as a vertical with two poles 80 cm (2 feet 6 inches) above ground with a ground pole 10 cm (3.9 inches) in front. When the actual judging starts the fence should be an oxer. The main jump is placed 7, 30 m (23 feet 9 inches) in front of help fence 2. The back pole should be 10 cm (3.9 inches) higher than the front pole and rest on safety cups.

The heights 110 cm (3 feet 6 inches), 120 cm (3 feet 9 inches) and 130 cm (4 feet 2 inches) are marked on the stands and the length 110 cm (3 feet 6 inches) and 120 cm (3 feet 9 inches) is marked on the wall. Depending on footing and size of horse the judge has the right to move the main jump +/- 20 cm (7.9 inches)..

WARM UP (Practice jumps)
The horse is shown free cantering on the track, both directions. Thereafter all poles are laid down on the ground and the horse is waiting at the starting point directed by the judge. All three jumps are built at above mentioned heights and the horse is allowed one round as warm up. Thereafter another pole at 80 cm (31.5 inches) is coming up on help fence 2 and the back pole on the main jump is now at height 90 cm (35.4 inches) and the length 90 cm (35.4 inches). The ground poles are the same. This is when the actual judging starts.

Jumping
After about three rounds the main fence should be at 39.3 inches (100 cm) in height and the length 100 cm (39.3 inches). If this size of fence is jumped ok according to the judge the score 5 (sufficient) is given. A horse is not guaranteed a score of 5 just because the fence is cleared. The owner of the horse can before the judging starts let the judge know that, if horse jumps sufficient, that will be plenty. Increasing the height of the fence can be done to a maximum of 130 cm (51.2 inches) for horses that are capable but the length of the fence can only be 120 cm ( 47.2 inches) and has to be a normal oxer with the front pole 5 cm (2 inches) lower than the back pole. Judging should be done when about six jumps over the main jump is completed.

Equipment
The horse must wear a bridle with a cavason and reins at all times. A regular snaffle bit, single or double jointed, is recommended. Soft rubber bits or shanks are not permitted.

An English saddle must be used.

Boots for the jumping part are allowed for the front legs only, no hind boots or wraps.

The rider must wear formal attire with an approved helmet; whips and spurs are optional. Stallion riders must carry a whip.

Arena
The arena is 20 by 60 meters. (65’ 7” by 196’ 10”)

Colts

In order to identify possible stallion prospects, a colt may be inspected as a stallion prospect from when it’s a yearling and up to four years of age. This will enable the breeder/owner to make an educated decision whether to geld the colt or not. This evaluation is unofficial and only serves as a service to the stallion owner. The colt will be evaluated for conformation, gaits in hand and at liberty and free jumping (voluntary). Three year old stallions are also to be shown under saddle.

SWANA welcome stallions from other warmblood breed registries as well.

Mares

The pre-breed category is also for mares, of any age. Present your mare to have her evaluated as a brood mare prospect.

Individual Testing
The individual testing consists of an evaluation of the stallion’s pedigree, conformation and a one – day performance test. Upon approval, the stallion will receive a Certificate of Breeding number (CRB) and will then have 2 years to complete the performance requirements before receiving full approval with SWANA.

Eligibility
A stallion is eligible for a breeding evaluation under the following circumstances:

• The stallion meets the pedigree requirements listed below
  AND
• It participates in the individual testing when the stallion is 3-5 years of age, and for stallions 6 years of age or older, have achieved the required performance level appropriate for their age group at any time.

Pedigree requirements

• An SWB stallion must be three years old or older and registered in the SWB/SWANA registry.
• Stallions from other warmblood registries are welcome to be presented as well. Please contact the office for more information.
• The dam and sire must be registered in the studbook and/or in one of the other studbooks recognized by SWB.
• The dam’s sire line must consist of qualified stallions (Qualified = 4 generations of evaluated breeding stallions). In the event a stallion does not fulfill the requirements, but descends from an unusually interesting bloodline and has remarkable proven competition performance, and/or offspring with unusual proven performance, the inspection committee can exercise the right to approve such a stallion for SWB breeding.

Conformation 
The stallion’s height at his withers and his cannon bone circumference are measured and recorded. The five following categories make up the conformation evaluation:

1. Type (breed-, sport-, and gender)
2. Head, neck and body
3. Extremities and the correctness of movement
4. Mechanics of the walk
5. Mechanics of the trot

Each category is scored on a scale from 1-10. A stallion must receive a minimum of 23 points for the first three categories with no individual score below seven.

X-rays
The stallion, at the earliest age of 2½, must have an obligatory x-ray examination according to specific instructions and be free of oosteochondrosis in the hocks and stifles. The colt must be identified with his registration papers and micro chip number at the time of having the x-rays taken. The x-rays must have the colt’s micro chip number on them.

A stallion must not exhibit any of the Swedish Horse Board’s list of defects. (Check with SWANA for list)

Performance test for 3- year old stallions

The stallion is shown in hand, free jumping and gaits under rider. The owner chooses whether the stallion is to be presented as a dressage or jumping stallion. This has an impact on the free jumping portion of the test as the stallion only needs to pass the free jumping and not excel if its a dressage stallion.

Performance test for 4 – and 5-year-old stallions

Judging is in either dressage or jumping or in both disciplines. The stallion is shown in hand, in jumping and in a test of gaits under rider.
“Dressage stallions” participate in a test of gaits under saddle with a private rider and can either be free jumped or jumped under rider.
“Jumping stallions” participate in a jumping test under saddle with a private rider and is shown in gaits under rider.

Free Jumping    Jumping chute image

Free jumping is performed over three fences. Free canter is shown on the rail. The three fence system has a main jump of an oxer type and two help fences. The jumps are placed with one stride in between. For a view of the set – up please click on the link above.

Free jumping should take place in arena the size of 20×40 m (65×131 feet). If a bigger arena is used it should be made smaller with help of plastic bands or poles on stands. The use of rope is not allowed. Poles or plastic bands should be used to cut off the corners. Please see the arena layout below. The footing should be as sure footed as possible. If there are mirrors, they should be covered. A space for the judges with table and chairs should be available in the middle of the long side opposite the fences at a minimum of 2 m (6 feet 6 inches) from the rail. Several rakes should be available to be used when necessary. Three lunge whips and a measuring tape/stick should also be available. The host should have two people assigned to the jumps and two people who can assist upon the request of the judge.

Fences
The fences contain only poles of good standard such as competition poles. For the jumps, the following is desired: nine round poles which should have a length of 3, 5 m (11 feet 5 inches). Also eight stands are required, could be four regular stands and four wall attached stands, cups which two has to be safety cups., 2-3 ground poles preferably cut in half length wise not to roll preferably painted white. Hollow plastic poles are not allowed. If cups are made of plastic and not used they can stay on the stands.

Set up

The ground pole in the corner is a cut white pole, preferably two since the diagonal distance is longer in the corner. One more cut pole should be available if the judge wants to use one in between the jumps.

Help fence 1 should have a pole 60 cm (23.6 inches) in height above ground with a ground pole 30 cm (11.8 inches) in front of it. Fence is placed 3 m (9 feet 8 inches) after center point of ground pole in corner. Corner pole is on a diagonal.

Help fence 2 should have a pole 60 cm (23.6 inches) in height above ground with a ground pole 30 cm (11.8 inches) in front of it. This fence is placed 7 m (22 feet 9 inches) in front of help fence 1 and 17, 5 m (57 feet 4 inches) from short end of arena.

Main fence starts as a vertical with two poles 80 cm (2 feet 6 inches) above ground with a ground pole 10 cm (3.9 inches) in front. When the actual judging starts the fence should be an oxer. The main jump is placed 7, 30 m (23 feet 9 inches) in front of help fence 2. The back pole should be 10 cm (3.9 inches) higher than the front pole and rest on safety cups.

The heights 110 cm (3 feet 6 inches), 120 cm (3 feet 9 inches) and 130 cm (4 feet 2 inches) are marked on the stands and the length 110 cm (3 feet 6 inches) and 120 cm (3 feet 9 inches) is marked on the wall. Depending on the footing and size of horse the judge has the right to move the main jump +/- 20 cm (7.9 inches)..

WARM UP (Practice jumps)
The horse is shown free cantering on the track, both directions. Thereafter all poles are laid down on the ground and the horse is waiting at the starting point directed by the judge. All three jumps are built at above mentioned heights and the horse is allowed one round as warm up. Thereafter another pole at 80 cm (31.5 inches) is coming up on help fence 2 and the back pole on the main jump is now at height 90 cm (35.4 inches) and the length 90 cm (35.4 inches). The ground poles are the same. This is when the actual judging starts.

Jumping test 
After about three rounds the main fence should be at 39.3 inches (100 cm) in height and the length 100 cm (39.3 inches). If this size of fence is jumped ok according to the judge the score 5 (sufficient) is given. A horse is not guaranteed a score of 5 just because the fence is cleared. The owner of the horse can before the judging starts let the judge know that, if horse jumps sufficient, that will be plenty. Increasing the height of the fence can be done to a maximum of 130 cm (51.2 inches) for horses that are capable but the length of the fence can only be 120 cm ( 47.2 inches) and has to be a normal oxer with the front pole 5 cm (2 inches) lower than the back pole. Judging should be done when about six jumps over the main jump is completed.

Equipment
The horse must wear a bridle with a cavason and reins at all times. A regular snaffle bit, single or double jointed, is recommended. Soft rubber bits or shanks are not permitted.

An English saddle must be used.

Boots for the jumping part are allowed for the front legs only, no hind boots or wraps.

The rider must wear formal attire with an approved helmet; whips and spurs are optional. Stallion riders must carry a whip.

Arena
The arena is 20 by 60 meters. (65’ 7” by 196’ 10”)

Jumping Under Saddle 

Jumping under saddle scoring is on a scale from 1-10 points in two categories
1) Technique and ability (HTF)
2) Temperament and general impression (HTA).

Jumping under saddle
Four-year-old Stallions: Course with 5-6 fences, well enclosed, consisting mainly of bars.
Five-year-old Stallions: Course with 6-10 fences, with at least one double fence.

Height and length of fences
	Maximum Height	Maximum Width
4-year-old stallions	1.10 m	triple bars 1.50 m other fences 1.30 m
5-year-old stallions	1.20 m	triple bars 1.60 m other fences 1.40 m

The fences are jumped in succession according to the judge’s instructions. At the judges discretion a stallion may be asked to jump additional fences. The maximum height and length of fences may also be exceeded with the rider’s consent.

Older stallions (6 years and above)
The minimum requirements for a stallion to be eligible for a breeding evaluation based on competition results in jumping are as follows:

6 years: Check with SWANA for requirements.
7 years: Check with SWANA for requirements.
8 years: Five placings in 1.40 m national level as a 7 yr old
9 years: Five placings in 1.45 m national level as an 8 yr old
10 years: Three placings in 1.50 m international level as 8-9 yr old
11 years and older: Three placings in 1.60 m international level

The minimum requirements for official show results in dressage are as follows:

6 years: Check with SWANA for requirements.
7 years: Check with SWANA for requirements.
8 years: A minimum of two scores over 70 % in PSG as a 7 year old
9 years: A minimum of two scores over 70 % in Intermediate 1 as an 8 year old
10 years and older: A minimum of two scores over 67 % in Intermediate II as a 9 year old

11 years and older: A minimum of two scores over 67% in Grand Prix

The Inspection Committee will determine how the older stallion is to be presented other than in conformation in hand.

 

Signing up for the inspection tour is done by filling out the entry form located here:  2019_Inspection_Form E-mail the documents needed to office@swanaoffice.org and you will receive a confirmation and an invoice for the fees in return. Before then, make sure your horse is registered or in the case of foals born late in the year – that the registration process is started. Please observe the deadline for signing up for the inspection is August 15, 2019.

The fee schedule is as follows:

Fee Schedule
Fees are quoted in U.S. dollars. Fees subject to change.

Inspection
Broodmare evaluation	$200.00
General Inspection	$75.00
Stallion Evaluation: Entry Fee	$500.00
Young Horse Test	$200.00
Rebranding	$0.00
Pre-breeding evaluation	$50.00
Inspection late fee	$25.00
Branding	$50.00
Riding Horse Test	$300.00
Stallion Evaluation: Completion Fee	$500.00
Branding	$50.00