SPORTS PONY STUDBOOK SOCIETY A DEFRA approved Passport Issuing Organisation Studbook Office: The Last House, Keysoe Row West, Keysoe, Bedfordshire MK44 2JJ Tel: 07703 566066 Email: |
Note that the SPSS Office relocated in April 2014 and the contact details at the top of the page should now be used for all contact with the SPSS | ||||
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2022 SPSS Gradings & Evaluations |
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There will be a blended approach to SPSS Gradings in 2022.
We are running a few of our own events in August offering full
in-person stallion & mare gradings and youngstock evaluations
(COVID/other restrictions permitting) and will also, like last year,
work with the AES and the Futurity to offer additional opportunities at their events.
There is also the option to do Stallion pre-grading eAssessment (by
video) at any time of the year and virtual Mare eGradings via video
footage over the summer.
Dates will be added to this page as we arrange them - so please check back
if there's nothing listed near you - or contact us to let us know you're
wanting to enter as we will then know where interested people are and
can try to plan accordingly.
2022 SPSS Stallion & Mare Gradings and Youngstock Evaluations MAIN TOUR Stallion
Gradings (Click
here for Mare & Youngstock dates) SPSS Stallion
Grading will only be available at some venues, subject to demand & judge
availability. So, if you have a stallion you wish to SPSS grade this
year "SPEAK NOW" - we need to know now in order to finalise plans & try
to best accommodate everyone. Due to prior
expressions of interest we currently anticipate offering Stallion
Grading as follows: Monday 15th
August (inc Mare Grading & Futurity Youngstock Eval) at Catherston Stud, Croft Farm, Over Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 8HX Tuesday 23rd August
(inc Mare Grading & SPSS Youngstock Eval) at Maxted-Massey
Stud, Queenholme Bloodstock Stables, Sponge Drove, Willingham, Cambridgeshire
CB24 5JN Thursday 25th August
(inc Mare Grading & Futurity Youngstock Eval) at Richmond
Equestrian Centre, Breckenbrough
Farm, Brough Park, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 7PL Monday 29th August
(inc Mare Grading & Futurity Youngstock Eval) at The
Scottish National Equestrian Centre, Oatridge, Ecclesmachan, West
Lothian EH52 6NH Wednesday 31st August
(inc Mare Grading & Futurity Youngstock Eval) at
Kingswood Equestrian Centre, County Lane, Albrighton, Wolverhampton,
West Midlands WV7 3AH Entries close for
in-person Stallion & Mare Gradings on 8th August 2022 The
viability of venues offering Stallion Grading will be assessed on 1st
August and those with insufficient entries to support the additional
costs may be removed or reduced to mares/youngstock only. All events will be subject to & fully compliant with all COVID
restrictions in place at the time plus any venue or Futurity
requirements (eg equine flu vaccinations and/or equine health
declarations). Mare Grading & Youngstock Evaluations
(via Futurity or SPSS) The virtual
Futurity series (for more information see British Breeding's website -
here) will run ahead of their physical venues from 15th July until 14th
August, with video submissions closing on Monday, 8th August 2022. This
is essential to enable the Futurity team to complete the virtual
evaluations ahead of the physical series. SPSS pasported or
overstamped youngstock entered for Futurity can also enter for the 2022
SPSS Youngstock Evaluations and will be awarded an SPSS Premium or Gold
Premium based on their Futurity score (whether from the virtual or
in-person Futurity). SPSS Mare
Grading will be possible at all British
Breeding Futurity physical venues plus at the additional
SPSS & AES only venues: Monday 15th
August - Futurity at Catherston Stud, Croft Farm, Over Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 8HX Friday 19th
August - SPSS/AES & Futurity at South
West Equestrian, Lowton Stud, Bondleigh, North Tawton, Devon EX20 2AL Sunday 21st
August - SPSS/AES at
Calibre Equestrian, White Horse Farm, Penycaemawr, Usk Monmouthshire
NP15 1LX Monday 22nd
August - Futurity Reaseheath
College (Entrance 3), Reaseheath, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5
6DF Tuesday 23rd
August - SPSS/AES at Maxted-Massey
Stud, Queenholme Bloodstock Stables, Sponge Drove, Willingham, Cambridgeshire
CB24 5JN Wednesday
24th August - Futurity Beechwood
Equestrian Centre, The Wheatsheaf Centre, Main Road, Rettendon
Common, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 8DY Thursday 25th
August - Futurity at Richmond
Equestrian Centre, Breckenbrough
Farm, Brough Park, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 7PL Monday 29th
August - Futurity at The
Scottish National Equestrian Centre, Oatridge, Ecclesmachan, West
Lothian EH52 6NH Tuesday 30th
August 2022 - AES/SPSS Twemlows Stud,
Twemlows Hall, Whitchurch, Shropshire
SY13 2EZ Wednesday 31st
August - Futurity at
Kingswood Equestrian Centre, County Lane, Albrighton, Wolverhampton,
West Midlands WV7 3AH Friday 2nd
September - Futurity National
Training Centre, Hothorpe, Leicestershire
LE17 6QX SPSS
Mare/Stallion Grading Entries are open until 8th August. Futurity
Entries are also now open. |
Jump to:
More about:
Rosettes and Sashes waiting to be posted to the top youngstock and mares in 2021
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Stallions can either be entered directly for "in-person" grading or be presented for a pre-grading virtual assessment “eAssessment” that, should they pass, will allow them to cover as interim stallions for 2022/2023 and issue SPSS Covering Certificates for this period. They will be then be required to be presented at a full SPSS stallion grading in 2022 or 2023. Read more about the Stallion Grading Pathway etc here.
Mares can be presented for entered directly for "in-person" grading or for “eGrading”. Both "in-person" and eGrading" give permanent graded status into the appropriate Mare Studbook depending on their score and completeness of pedigree. Read more here. Note that SPSS Mare Performance Testing will not take place in 2022 but we hope it will return in 2023.
All events will be subject to & fully compliant with all COVID restrictions in place at the time plus any venue requirements (eg equine flu vaccinations and/or equine health declarations).
British Breeding Futurity are running youngstock evaluations at some of the venues. SPSS Premiums will be awarded to SPSS passported or overstamped youngstock alongside the Futurity Premiums at all Futurity events. Where we are not running in association with the Futurity, SPSS Youngstock Evaluations will take place - for SPSS passported or overstamped youngstock only.
We are also offering “virtual” Mare eGradings & Stallion eAssessments for those unable to get to an “in-person” event.
Youngstock which are evaluated through the British Breeding “Virtual Futurity” (which is also being done either in -person or via video clips) and are SPSS passported or overstamped will also be eligible for an SPSS Premium, based on their Futurity Evaluation score. The scores of all eligible youngstock will be taken forward to the SPSS end of year awards which we anticipate will include a Youngstock Champion and Reserve Champion, as well as rosettes for the top scorer in various categories. Should any SPSS passported pony/horse not be eligible for the Futurity due to their requirement for the sire to be licensed then please contact us directly as we will endeavour to facilitate their assessment. Read more here.
The British Breeding team (who run the Futurity series) will be offering a similar blended approach to the SPSS with both in-person and virtual youngstock evaluations on offer. Once again, all SPSS passported or overstamped youngstock will also be eligible for an SPSS Premium, based on their Futurity Evaluations score, whether evaluated in-person or virtually. Where we are not running in association with the Futurity, SPSS Youngstock Evaluations will take place - for SPSS passported or overstamped youngstock only. The scores of all eligible youngstock will be taken forward to the SPSS end of year awards which will include rosettes for the Top Foal, Yearling, 2 Year Old & 3 Year Old; Top Filly, Colt & Gelding and Top Pony & Top Small Horse. Provided there are at least 25 eligible youngstock, Youngstock Champion and Reserve Champion Sashes and Rosettes will also be awarded.
There’s a summary of the video requirements for anyone wanting to present a stallion for eAssessment or a mare for eGrading here.
Entry Windows:
Lead judges: Jacke Mathieson & Anna Lowndes
If you have any questions or queries, please call the SPSS Studbook Office on 07703 566066
All in-person grading entrants and any yearlings upwards forward for evaluation must abide by any requirements of the Futurity and/or the venue. We anticipate that Futurity events will require that all equine attendees (including any travelling companions but excluding foals at foot) have a current vaccination against Equine Influenza which complies with the following conditions:
The Record of Vaccination(s) in the equine’s passport must be completed by an appropriate veterinary surgeon, signed and stamped line by line. in accordance with the FEI rules including a vaccination within 6 months (but more than one week) before the grading. |
Stallion Grading
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STALLION GRADING PATHWAY
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As shown in the flow chart, stallions can be presented for entered directly for "in-person" grading or for a prior eAssessment followed by in-person grading (if accepted at eAsssessment).
Provided that at least 5 stallions have been inspected on the day, the highest scoring stallion of that day will be declared as the Champion Stallion for that region(s) and will receive an additional rosette & sash. The next highest scoring stallion will become the Reserve Champion Stallion. The SPSS reserves the right to combine or split days/regions depending on entry numbers (we anticipate that a minimum of 5 stallions need to have been inspected for a Champion/Reserve to be declared).
Then, after the last stallion grading, the stallion with the highest score across all of the venues will be declared as the 2018 Supreme Champion Stallion and receive an additional rosette & sash. The next highest scoring stallion will become the 2018 Reserve Supreme Champion Stallion and receive an additional rosette & sash.
The eAssessment Process (optional)
Stallions can be presented for a pre-grading virtual assessment that, should they be assessed by the SPSS as acceptable, will allow them to cover as interim stallions for 2022/2023 and issue SPSS Covering Certificates for this period. They will be then be required to be presented at a full SPSS stallion grading in 2022 or 2023. |
2021 Stallion Grading Champion Godrics Dionysus (SPSS Elite Danger 36 x Donnerwetter) Bred by Bev & Samantha Brown Photo by kind permission of British Breeding Futurity |
Entry for eAssessment can be any time. Please send your video(s) showing conformation and paces (correctness and athleticism), completed entry form, membership application/renewal form (if not a current member) and scans/clear photos of the pedigree & other key pages in the passport to us via WeTransfer (wetransfer.com). The fees due can be paid either by bank transfer (details on forms) or by posting a cheque. Once all the necessary information has been received and the fee has been paid, there are 3 stages to acceptance.
Notes:
In-Person Stallion Grading At the grading, each stallion is assessed in hand for conformation, then in hand and loose for paces and loose down a jumping lane (normally 3 fences). Then, in general:
All entrants are seen in-hand/loose before any are seen ridden.
Note the SPSS vaccination requirements (here) and that, where we are sharing a venue with the Futurity, any additional requirements that they set will also have to be met.
Stallion 2022 Grading Entry Fee (including 2022 eAssessment if done)
Note that:
Click here to download an information sheet about SPSS Stallion Grading Click here to download an information sheet about SPSS Stallion eAssessment
Jacke Mathieson & Anna Lowndes will be the lead judges for the 2022 Stallion Gradings. |
Mare Gradings | |
Mares can be presented for entered directly for "in-person" grading or for “eGrading”. Both "in-person" and eGrading" give permanent graded status into the appropriate Mare Studbook depending on their score and completeness of pedigree. Read more here.
After the 2022 grading window has closed on 1st November, all eligible mares will be grouped by region (ensuring that there are at least 5 mares in a group) and the highest scoring mare will become the Champion Mare and the next highest scoring the Reserve Champion Mare for that region. Both will receive an extra rosette and the Champion Mare will also get a sash. Then, as long as at least 2 regional champions have been declared, the mare with the highest score overall will be declared as the 2022 Supreme Champion Mare and receive an additional rosette & sash. The next highest scoring mare will become the 2022 Reserve Supreme Champion Mare and receive an additional rosette & sash.
Click here to download an information sheet about SPSS Mare Grading/ eGrading
"In-person" Grading
For 2022, following the success of this route in 2019, British Breeding Futurity have kindly agreed to allow SPSS Mare Grading at all their 2022 evaluation events. This opportunity is open to barren mares (of any age) as well as mares with foals entered for the Futurity. All mares MUST meet the Futurity equine influenza vaccination requirements (see their website here). See the Info & FAQ page Grading section for more about what happens on the day including turnout and preparation. |
2021 Supreme Champion Mare Sophie (Dressman I x Black Boy) |
The 2022 dates are at the top of this page - here.
Note the SPSS vaccination requirements (here) and that, where we are sharing a venue with the Futurity, any additional requirements that the Futurity and/or venue set will also have to be met. |
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eGrading
Entry will be anytime before mid October 2022 (to ensure entrant eligible for 2022 Mare Grading Championship); later entries will be allowed but won'd be eligible for the championships. Please send your video(s) showing conformation and paces (correctness and athleticism), completed entry form, membership application/renewal form (if not a current member) and scans/clear photos of the pedigree & other key pages in the passport to us via WeTransfer (wetransfer.com). The fees due can be paid either by bank transfer (details on forms) or by posting a cheque. Once all the necessary information has been received and the fee has been paid, there are 3 stages to acceptance.
The scores of all mares for whom Stage 3 has been completed will be taken forward to the SPSS end of year awards where, as long as at least 5 mares have been graded, the 2022 Mare Grading Champion and Reserve Champion will be declared (based on scores received). Should 10 or more mares be graded then regional groups (of at least 5 mares) will be formed and Regional Champions & Reserve Champions be declared with the top mare overall being the Supreme Mare Champion.
Mare Grading Entry Fee (eGrading or In-person)
N.B. Owners need to be paid up SPSS Members to make a Mare Grading entry.
Note that it is unlikely that SPSS Mare Performance Testing will take place in 2022.
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Youngstock | |
2021 SPSS Supreme Youngstock Champion Henza She’s On Fire (FS Numero Uno x Dressman I) Bred by Diane Kilshaw |
The British Breeding team (who run the Futurity series) will be offering a similar blended approach to the SPSS with both in-person and virtual youngstock evaluations on offer. Once again, all SPSS passported or overstamped youngstock will also be eligible for an SPSS Premium, based on their Futurity Evaluations score, whether evaluated in-person or virtually.
Where we are not running in association with the Futurity, SPSS Youngstock Evaluations will take place - for SPSS passported or overstamped youngstock only.
To be eligible for the end of year awards, the passport must be sent to the SPSS Studbook Office so the result can be properly recorded and the appropriate SPSS Premium rosette (if not awarded on the day) will be sent back with the passport.
The scores of all eligible youngstock will be taken forward to the SPSS end of year awards which will include rosettes for the Top Foal, Yearling, 2 Year Old & 3 Year Old; Top Filly, Colt & Gelding and Top Pony & Top Small Horse. Provided there are at least 25 eligible youngstock, Youngstock Champion and Reserve Champion Sashes and Rosettes will also be awarded. |
Should any SPSS passported pony/horse not be eligible for the Futurity due to their requirement for the sire to be licensed then please contact us directly as we will endeavour to facilitate their assessment. Youngstock Evaluation Fee
- Evaluation through Futurity (virtual or in-person) or by SPSS
in-person: £10 for passported or overstamped
youngstock evaluated through the Futurity or by SPSS in-person (free for foals passported
SPSS by 1st October). There is a discount for multiple
youngstock owned by a current SPSS member with the fee reducing to £8 each
for 2 youngstock and £5 each for 3 or more youngstock. Note that for foals
that have not yet been passported, then a deposit of £25 is also
required, which is refundable against the passport/overstamping
cost. £35 for youngstock
NOT passported or overstamped by the SPSS before entry. This fee includes
overstamping by the SPSS for all youngstock gaining at least a
Premium. Download the Youngstock
Evaluation Rules & Entry Form -
here |
Note - please refer to the Futurity Guidelines for their Virtual Futurity (ie by video)
Video Requirements (for Mare eGrading & Stallion eAssessment)
What do I need to do?
Stallions can be put forward for eAssessment at any time and entry for Mare eGrading will open on 1st July 2021. This means that if you have several ponies you would like to enter, you can spread them out a bit, making it more manageable for you.
Please send your video(s) showing conformation and paces (correctness and athleticism), completed entry form, membership application/renewal form (if not a current member) and scans/clear photos of the pedigree & other key pages in the passport to us via WeTransfer (wetransfer.com). The fees due can be paid either by bank transfer (details on forms) or by posting a cheque. Once all the necessary information has been received and the fee has been paid, there are 3 stages to acceptance.
Your mare or stallion will not be assessed on the quality of the video footage or your editing skills, so keep it simple, and don’t worry, videos taken on a smart phone or tablet are perfectly suitable for this. Equally, you can use any type of arena or other surface you have available. If you don’t have an arena, a straight bit of paddock is absolutely fine, as long as the grass is nice and short.
Above all, please ensure you stay safe and adhere to the latest government guidelines including maintaining appropriate social distancing. We have designed this approach with that in mind.
The first section of videos will cover the conformation assessment. For this, you need some hard standing, and a straight bit long enough to show as few steps of walk and trot. You will show your pony standing up and then in hand walking and trotting away from and towards the camera. When your pony is stood, please include footage of both sides from side on as well as from the front and back (from the top of the hindquarters all the way down).
The second section of videos will cover the walk, trot and canter assessment. Loose jumping MUST NOT be included. You will need to get some footage of your pony on both reins in all three gaits. Try and get as much footage side on as possible, as this makes it easiest to assess. For this part, you can use a fenced arena if you have one available, but if not, a flat paddock with short grass is equally fine. Think about the practicalities of having to catch your pony in a large field, and choose one that is not too big, with good, safe fencing. Please avoid anywhere with long grass or tall weeds (or get them mowed first!), as this will obscure parts of the movement.
The walk is usually best shown in hand, make sure you take long and active strides, as this will encourage your youngster to do the same. The trot can be loose or in hand, or you can opt for a combination of the two. The canter will need to be shown loose. Ideally, please show at least a 20m circle of walk in hand and 20m circle of trot in hand, then a decent length of video of your pony free in trot and canter on both reins.
Happy Filming! If you have any questions or want some further advice, we are only every a phone call away, so do not hesitate to get in touch - plus we have included links to sample videos below: |
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Video of whole process - here Standing your equine up - here We wish to thank the British Breeding Futurity team for their support with our eGrading and eAssessments and we hope that our breeders will also enter their foals and other youngstock for the Futurity |
Entry Information
Stallion eAssessments can be done at anytime in the year. Mare eGrading entries will open on the 1st July and will remain open until the end of the year.
Entry Windows: "In-person" events - SPSS Mare/Stallion Grading Entries are open until 8th August. Mare eGrading - 1st July - end 2022 for virtual but note that only mares for which all stages of eGrading have been completed by 1st November will be eligible for the 2022 Mare Grading Championships. Stallion eAssessment - any time!
Download the entry forms here:
Only members can enter stallions & mares for eAssessment/eGrading - if you want to join ahead of entry, here is the form, but it's fine to enter your stallion/mare and join/renew your membership at the same time.
Youngstock Evaluations are open to non-members
Click here to download an information sheet about SPSS Stallion Grading Click here to download an information sheet about SPSS Stallion eAssessment Click here to download an information sheet about SPSS Mare Grading/ eGrading
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For Stalllion eAssesment or Mare eGrading
Please send your video(s) showing conformation and paces (correctness and athleticism), completed entry form, membership application/renewal form (if not a current member) and scans/clear photos of the pedigree & other key pages in the passport to us via WeTransfer (wetransfer.com). The fees due can be paid either by bank transfer (details on forms) or by posting a cheque.
Once the entry has been made via WeTransfer, the videos uploaded will be checked then once we have the payment and all information that we require your entry will proceed to the judging phase. Costs
Stallion 2022 eAssessment and 2022/3 Grading Entry Fee
Note that:
Mare Grading/eGrading Entry Fee
N.B. Owners need to be paid up SPSS Members to make a Stallion eAssessment or Mare eGrading entry.
Youngstock Evaluation Fee - Evaluation through Futurity (virtual or in-person) or by SPSS in-person:
Entries for in-person events will be 7th August; for virtual eGrading/eAssessment, entries close at the end of 2022 but note that only mares for which all stages of eGrading have been completed by 1st November will be eligible for the 2022 Mare Grading Championships.
The latest SPSS Rule book can be download here.
For video only assessments - as the video footage is required at the point of entry, there is no anticipated reason for withdrawing; hence, it is unlikely that there would be a refund for anyone withdrawing their pony from the process once the entry has been made.
For Mare/Stallion in-person assessments - please see relevant Entry Form
For Youngstock Evaluations - There will be no refund of entry fee for withdrawals but another pony can be substituted or the entry can carried forward to another date/venue.
For more information about the 2022 Gradings & eAssessments or the video requirements please follow the links at the top of the page.
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The Sports Pony Studbook Society Studbook Office: The Last House, Keysoe Row West, Keysoe, Bedfordshire MK44 2JJ Tel: 07703 566066 Email: |