Stallions must be Keured (judged) to determine if they have the basic movement and conformation to be eligible for Approval. If they pass this strict initial judging they should then be trained in riding and driving for the FPZV Stallion Test which is fifty days in duration.
Each stallion is judged on temperament, manners, and trainability during this period. At the end the stallions must pass each of seven parts of the Performance Test with a minimum score of 5.0 in each and a minimum collective score of 6.5. The seven parts of the Performance Test are:
- Ridden Dressage (Second Level equivalent)
- Driven Dressage (Preliminary Test equivalent)
- Cross-Country Jumping (7 fixed jumps plus 1 water hazard)
- Pulling Test (sled with 500 pound weight plus a driver)
- Endurance Driving (timed five-kilometer course at a trot)
- Foreign rider
- Foreign driver
The ridden and driven dressage tests are the primary focus during training for the Stallion Test. During these tests the stallions are ridden and driven by their trainers. But it is also mandatory that "foreign" riders (accomplished riders who have never been on the stallions) and foreign drivers take the stallions through their paces to see how they respond. They give the judges their independent evaluation based on traditional standards of the disciplines.
Qualified and lettered judges that are approved by the FPZV judge each stallion in each test. They judge the horses with standards identical to the dressage and driving competition standards of North America as well as those of the FPZV. Worldwide, only a few stallions born gain Approved status!
Each September officials from the FPZV come back to North America to judge foals and mares. Mares are judged at age three or four for preliminary qualification as Star or Model mare status. Qualifying mares must then pass a riding and driving test identical to the stallion test prior to earning Star or Model status. 2003 colt by Romeo de Roza
Foals are judged so that they can be accepted into the Foal Book. They are awarded Premium 1, 2, or 3 scores which become part of their official FPZV registration papers.
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