Trakehner stallions are not born "approved"
The Trakehner horse has been bred for centuries as a riding horse and has been carefully selected for that purpose by a group of knowledgeable breeders appointed to that task; it has been used extensively to improve other European warmblood breeds.
Our stallions must be evaluated by a panel of experts before being certified as breeding stock.
The are judged on:
- Athletic Ability
- Conformation
- Willing Attitude
- Rigorous Performance Testing
This selection process helps us preserve the true Trakehner type and provides an objective evaluation of our stock, thus insuring that we breed only the very best. Only about 2 out of 100 colts are approved.
Make sure you know the difference between ATA registered and ATA approved.
Breed to the chosen few.
Stallion Certification Explained
The American Trakehner Association is committed to following the highly selective breeding standards practiced by the Trakehner Verband for more than 265 years, first in Trakehnen, East Prussia, and later in West Germany.
In keeping with this commitment, the ATA holds an annual Central Stallion Certification where stallions of at least two years of age are presented to the Stallion Certification Commission for breeding approval. The purpose of the evaluation is to assess objectively the individual stallion's breed type, masculine characteristics, conformation, correctness, regularity, impulsion in all three paces, and his jumping technique.
The Stallion Certification Commission is composed of four voting members; three members are appointed from the ATA Inspection Committee, and the fourth is a representative of the German Trakehner Verband, either the Breed Director or his appointed delegate. The Trakehner Verband representative is empowered to cast two votes, with the other members of the commission each entitled to one vote. This measure is intended to give the ATA the best assistance in the selection of breeding stallions and the Trakehner Verband an opportunity to ensure that the breed is preserved and advanced according to the same breeding objectives worldwide.
What The Commission Is Looking For
I. TYPE
Trakehner Type:
The Trakehner is a horse of beauty and harmony, possessing great endurance, mental and physical balance, and an excellent character. A small, expressive head with a broad forehead and large eyes is desirable. The neck should be set on properly and of significant length, the withers well defined, the shoulder long and sloping, and the back of medium length. The croup should be long, muscular and of oval shape. The ribcage should be deep and wide and connected to a substantial frame, representing a horizontal rectangle (in contrast to the square frame of the Thoroughbred). The joints should be large and well defined.
Stallion Type:
The stallion, as the embodiment of masculine power, should be correspondingly more significant in every way than the broodmare. It is necessary that he impart an impression of well defined masculine characteristics in his appearance, bearing, manners, and way of moving.
II. CONFORMATION
Correct conformation is a very important criterion in the selection of a breeding stallion. The head and neck should provide adequate balance for the rest of the body. The neck should be set on at a moderate angle, rising up from the chest and withers distinctly, and it should be straight or convex in its top line without being too upright. The body should show a balance of long sloping shoulder and equally long, sloping croup. The back should be of medium length and the withers evident. The top line should be smooth with no excess dipping of the back, the tail set moderate and the body deep and broad. The legs should be straight and firm, functionally correct, with moderate pastern angles. The cannon bones should be relatively short, and the legs must possess enough joint and bone size to be in proportion with the rest of the body. The hind leg should show enough angle in the joints to produce the desired spring and impulsion. The feet should be round, well balanced, and of adequate size for the animal.
III. REGULARITY OF GAITS
Ideally, the stallion should move straight, without winging or paddling, and without traveling too wide or too close, at all three gaits. The rhythm should be even, relaxed, and regular.
IV. IMPULSION
There should be freedom and spring in all the joints of the legs, with no dragging of the toes. The front legs should move freely and evenly from the shoulder, the back should be supple and elastic, and the hindquarters engaged, giving the necessary impulsion. To demonstrate impulsion over fences, candidates are required to free-jump.
V. GENERAL IMPRESSION
The overall impression should be one of freedom, harmony, and balance.
Evaluation Criteria
The minimum size requirements for a stallion at 2 1/2 years of age are 15.3 hands (160 cm) in height, with a heart girth of 72 inches (183 cm), and a cannon bone measurement of 7.5 inches (19 cm).
The young stallions are evaluated for breed type, presence, conformation, walk, trot, and canter, correctness and regularity of their paces, natural impulsion, jumping ability, and overall impression (where all individual factors are weighed against one another). The minimum score for registration into the OSB for stallions will be 56, with a 4 in any of the individual categories - regardless of the total score - constituting disapproval.
Evaluation Procedure
(Subject to change)
Part I:
Verification of color and markings on registration certificate.
Measurement of height at the withers, heart girth, and cannon bone.
Veterinary examination for soundness and freedom from obvious congenital defects
Part II:
a. Presentation of horse at liberty.
b. Presentation of horse in hand at the walk and trot on a hard surface, moving in a straight line away from and then toward the Commission.
Part III:
Presentation of horse in hand on a triangular track with level, cushioned footing. Shown at the walk and trot with the horse also being stood up in front of the Commission facing both right and left.
Part IV:
Presentation of horse free-jumping over a line of three fences.
Part V:
Presentation of horse at liberty. Shown on the flat at the trot and canter in both directions.
Part VI:
Mandatory Under-Saddle Phase for 4 Year Old and Older Stallions*
All stallions that will be 4 years old or older in the year they are inspected will be required to perform an under-saddle demonstration at their inspection.
Similar to the process in Germany for stallions of this age, the stallions will be ridden in a group with other stallions (if more than one) and will be expected to perform walk, trot and canter. Older stallions that have competed in upper levels of dressage (Prix St. Georges), jumping or eventing (Intermediate or higher) will perform alone in the arena.
The under-saddle phase will be part of the overall impression score. The committee will observe the stallions willingness to work, tractability, temperament, and way of going under saddle. Horses and riders should be shown in dressage tack.
Horses will be expected to perform the gaits in 20-meter circles including a change of direction with intersecting 20-meter circles as well as large figure-eights the length of the arena across the diagonal.
Part VII:
Presentation of horse at the walk in a group.
Conclusion and final decision of the Commission.
*Note: The under-saddle phase will not replace the performance requirements for any stallion that is initially approved. To be fully approved, a stallion must complete the performance requirement |
