ANCCE includes a trail assessment for 2 and 3-year-olds in freedom as part of the SICAB 2018 sports program

The novelty this year is that ANCCE will be implementing an assessment system for 2 and 3-year-old colts/fillies in freedom This test is based on international criteria to assess the movements of the main sport breeds, in an effort to detect talented young horses with abilities for sports

This test is well consolidated throughout Europe One example are Dutch breeders, who have developed this text with their KWPN Royal Dutch Sport Horse for a number of reasons: as a breeding selection method, for breeders to test their own colts/fillies prior to begin them in the world of dressage and because at the end of the day, it is a new means to market the breed

Using this system and as a reference, ANCCE would like to develop a pilot assessment test for colts/fillies during SICAB 2018, the International Purebred Spanish Horse Trade Fair A team of renowned international judges—who are members of the KWPN breeding program team—will travel to SICAB to assess 2 and 3-year-old PRE colts/fillies as the perform natural paces These young horses will be judged in the same arena as their Dutch sport horse counterparts

This pilot test will take place on Friday, the 16th of November in Pavilion 1, so that breeders may become familiar with the test ANCCE would like to consolidate this event as a competition in future years so as to offer a new marketing outlet for our horses, among other advantages

The judges will assess the following aspects: walk, trot and canter, alignment on a hard surface and conformation for sport a single score Once each test has concluded, the quality of each colt/filly will be announced publically, as well as aspects to be improved Owners will be given an assessment sheet

Undoubtedly, there are multiple advantages when participating in this type of test to assess young horses, but one of the most important aspects that are beneficial to breeders is that the horse is not influenced by the presenter given that the colt/filly is presented at freedom Another interesting aspect is that the cost is lower that with other competitions because there is no need for qualified staff to handle the horse and preparation is really basic