DUTCH EVALUATION
HET NEDERLANDSE FJORDENPAARDEN STAMBOEK
THE NORWEGIAN FJORD HORSE REGISTRY

Introduction

A Fjordhorse is...
The Norwegian Fjord Horse is a small purebred horse of dun color with a distinctive dorsal stripe. The origin of the horse predates written history, but the Norwegian government has maintained official records of the breed since 1849.
The Fjord horse has been used historically as a war horse, a draft horse for logging and farming, a pack horse, a carriage horse and a riding pleasure horse. In the European communities today the Fjord horse is primarily a family horse who is bred and used for many purposes. The quality and versalitility of the Fjord is maintained by the evaluation process in each country.

A keuring is...
The word "Keuring" means inspection. The keuring portion of the evaluation process is the heart of any evaluation system, for it provides a method of intelligently selecting breeding stock. It also provides the means of positively identifying each horse utilizing bloodtyping , branding and/or microchipping.

Het Nederlandse Fjordenpaarden stamboek.
The Nederlandse Fjordenpaarden Stamboek, which translates as the Netherlands Fjord Horse Studbook, is the governing body of the Fjord Horse breeding program in the Netherlands. Its office is based in Hoenderloo.
Through the NFHR/Dutch Evaluation, owners and breeders in this country can register their horses in the Dutch
studbook and get Dutch papers for their horses.

The Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry.
The Norwegian Fjord horse registry of the United States maintains a registry book for Norwegian Fjord Horses to preserve their genetic purity and original type in North America. The Registry is dedicated to encouraging good horsemanship, developing educational programs in the Fjord Horse community, and researching available information on the Fjord Horse.

Why is this program important?
This evaluation program is aimed at the small and large breeding programs of the North American Fjord Horse. It will enable owners to identify good breeding stock which can be used as "foundation" mares and stallions. The program gives very specific feedback on a horse in terms of its strengths and weaknesses. By constantly evaluating mares, stallions and offspring and selectively breeding from the results of this information, a high level of consistency and predictability can be achieved in our breeding programs.

Identification is an important part of this evaluation. In a breed as homogenous in color as the Fjord Horse, positive visual identification is very important. In the Netherlands, all horses were in the past branded with an individual number represented by crosses and dots now we use a microchip to identity the horses. At our NFHR/Dutch evaluation we will also use a microchip insertion. All horses which do not already have a brand or microchip will also be DNA-tested at the evaluation site.

The Dutch evaluation system also gives owners the opportunity to have their horses rated in terms of performance.
To maintain the versatility of the Fjord Horse, three different tests are offered: riding, driving and draft. Only the horse is judged in these tests, not the rider or driver.

How does the Dutch Evaluation work?

There are two sets of premiums in the Dutch Evaluation system. If your horse is under three years old, the horse will receive an A-, B-, or C-rating. If your horse is three years or older, it will receive a first, second or third rating (or premium).

Model Mare or Gelding;
A "Model" horse must receive a first premium and must complete the ABOP-test of your choice with an A- or B- rating.

Star Mare or Gelding;
To become a " Star " horse your horse must receive a "first class Modelhorse" and complete the ABOP-test of your
choice with an A-rating.

Model or Star Aspirant Mare or Gelding;
Aspirant means "aspiring". This predicate means that your horse has received a 1st premiem (Aspirant Model) or a first classe (Aspirant Star) but didn't complete the ABOP-test (Or didn't complete it with an A- or B-rating .)
You have a time span of two years in which to complete or to try to improve the result of the ABOP-test of your choice.

Approvel stallion;
A proven stallion is a stallion with at least 35 points for conformation and that has completed the ABOP-test with an A-rating.

Model Stallion;
A "Model" stallion is a stallion with a second premium, that has received at least one extra predikat ("Keur,Preferent or Prestatie")

Star Stallion;
A "Star" stallion is a stallion with a 1st-premium, that has received at least two predikaten ("Keur,Preferent or Prestatie)

Prestatie (Mares, Geldings and Stallions)
The prestatie predicate is a performance achievement. Any horse may achieve prestatie. The horse achieves points based on the ABOP-tests and also in competition classes. The horse must achieve "A" certification on one of the two
drivingtests and the ridingtest.

ABOP tests
The Dutch ABOP-program is the performance arm of the evaluation process. The riding-, driving- and draft-tests are used to evaluate all the breeds in the Netherlands. They are used for mares and geldings who have attained a 1st premium to further promote and illustrate the quality of those horses and their breeding lines.
For 2nd an 3rd premium horses and for stallions, the ABOP-program gives these horses the opportunity to receive a performance premium.

Keur (Mares and Stallions)
A "Keur" mare / stallion must have a certain number of offspring. The minimum rate for the mares is 6 foals in
7 breedingseasons. The stallions must have a minimum of 65% foals, , with a minimum of a 100 coverings counted over 3 years. This predikat shows the horse to be a good producer.

Preferent (Mares and Stallions)
The mare must have a minimum of three offspring which have attained the level of "model". The Stallion must
have a minumum of 30% of his offspring which have attained the level of "model".
Preferent shows the mare and stallion to be a high quality producer.

Elite (Mares and Stallions)
This horse has attained all the levels of " model ", "star", "prestatie" , "keur" and "preferent".

In summary, the following list shows the total achievements possible for each gender of horse;
Stallions - Mares: First, second or third premium; model (first and second class); star; prestatie; keur; preferent; elite.
Geldings: First, second or third premium; model (first and second class); star; prestatie.


Evaluation Judges form
.When you bring your horse in for evaluation in halter, the judges or inspectors will fill in a chart idicating their conclusions on the conformation and movement of the horse.You will receive a copy of this chart, so that you cna read their comments and understand their evaluation;

CONFORMATION
breed character and type
conformation (the body) and muscular development
bone quality and leg position
movement at the walk and trot
overall impression

ABOP
For each ABOP test there is also an evaluation sheet which you will receive with the judge's specific valuations and remarks on each category af qualities.
For the Recreation Horse Exam (or riding exam), there are three areas of performance; a test on the flat using a rectangular arena with letters, the standerd small dressage arena, in which the horse (not the rider) is examinated at thee walk, trot and canter; a jumping test of 2 jumps, set at a height of two feet, to be jumped in both directions at a trot or canter; and a trail test of approximately 2000 meter, 1000 meters to be done at the walk and 1000 meters to be done at the trot.

There are ten categories that will be judged, with each category given a valuation of between 1 and 10. The last category has a double valuation, being worth 20 points. The total possible score is 110. Here is a list of the categories;

a. Behavior of horse during saddling, mounting, accepting the weight of the rider, dismounting.
b. Way of going at the walk
c. Way of going at the trot
d. Way of going at the canter
e Willingness during jumping
f. Behavior during trail ride
g. Body posture and maneuverability
h. Obedience
i. Diligence and temperament
j. Character (attitude) (2x)

The numbers used for scoring have the following meetings:

0 = Not preformed
1 = very bad
2 = bad
3 = fairly bad
4 = amply insufficient
5 = insufficient
6 = sufficient
7 = amply sufficient
8 = good
9 = very good
10=excellent

According to the above results, the horse will be assigned as a suitable recreational horse to one of the following quality classes:

AA Total points minimum of 90; no point less than 8.
A Total points minimum of 88, a minimum of 7 given for character, obedience and temperament.
B Total points minimum of 77, a minimum of 6 given for character, obedience and temperament
C Total points minimum of 66, a minimum of 6 given for character, obedience and temperament

A horse will not be assigned to a quality class if the horse has not satisfied the above AA, A,B, or C requirements, or if the test is not completed.

The Harness Horse Exam (or driving exam) will use the same or a slightly larger arena than the Recreation Horse Exam, with the same letters as in a dressage arena. There are five categories that will be judged, with each catergory given a valuation of between 1 and 10, 10 being the best score. The categories are doubled. The total possible score is 110. Here is a list of the categories:

a. Behavior during harnessing and hitching
b. Way of going at walk (2x)
c. Way of going at trot (2x)
d. Body posture, position and maneuverability (2x)
e. Willingness and stability
f. Temperament
g. Character
h. General impression

The numbers used for evaluating the harness horse have the same meanings as for the recreation horse.
According to the results, the examined horse will be assigned to one of the following quality classes.:

AA Total points minimum of 90; no point less than 8.
A Total points minimum of 88, a minimum of 7 given for character, obedience and temperament.
B Total points minimum of 77, a minimum of 6 given for character, obedience and temperament
C Total points minimum of 66, a minimum of 6 given for character, obedience and temperament

A horse will not be assigned to a quality class if the horse has not satisfied the above AA, A,B, or C requirements, or if the test is not completed.

The Agricultural Horse Exam (or pulling exam) will use a stone boat on a flat surface with different weights used for different commands. Walk, stop, rest and trot command patterns will make up the test. There are 8 categories that will be judged, with each category given a valuation of betrween 1 and 10, 10 being the best score. The total possible score is 80. Here is a list of the categories:

a. Behavior during harnessing and hitching
b. Manner of starting to pull, uging forward
c. Willingness to work
d. Posture during pulling
e. Stability during pulling
f. Extension, fluency/smooth style and regularity of paces
g. Temperament
h. Behavior during the performance.

The numbers used for evaluating the agricultural horse have the same meanings as for the recreational and harness horse. According to the results, the examined horse will be assigned to one of the following classes;

AA Total points minimum of 72; 8 points is only given once, all other points higher than 8.
A Total points minimum of 64, 7 points is only given once, all other points higher than 7.
B 6 Points is only given once, all other points higher than 6.
C 5 points is only given once, all other points higher than 5.

A horse will not be assigned to a quality class if the horse has not satisfied the above AA, A,B, or C requirements, or if the test is not completed.

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Het Nederlandse Fjordenpaarden Stamboek, Krimweg 125, 7351 TL Hoenderloo.
Tel. : 055-3781344 Fax : 055-3781391 E-Mail : post@fjordstudbook.com
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