Central Stallion Show

The Dutch Welsh Pony & Cob Studbook (NWPCS) is very pleased to welcome so many visitors each year to the Central Stallion Selection (CHK), held at the National Equestrian Center in Ermelo. Here is a brief explanation of how the CHK works.

Studbook stallion

All offspring (with at least 12.5 % Welsh blood) of a licensed or studbook stallion can be registered in the studbook. During the CHK, stallions can be approved and registered as studbook stallions.

First viewing

The first viewing is open to three-year-old and older stallions. It will take place on the Friday.

The judges have studied the pedigrees of the offered stallions prior to the judging. They are assisted in this by the breeding technical committee (FTC).

The inspection starts outside with an inspection of the walk and trot on the hard by the judge and the farrier. This method of observation offers the opportunity to properly assess the stallions' movements and legwork.

During the first viewing, stallions are shown by hand in the main ring. Judging is done by three judges. They enter as a group and while walking around they are judged on conformation and the walk. Then the stallions are shown individually and judged again on conformation and walk, but now also on the trot.

After that, the stallions come back in as a group for the final evaluation and the results of which stallions may proceed to the second viewing on Saturday. The designated stallions may continue to walk around. The others leave the ring while the judges explain why they are not allowed to continue.

The stallions designated for the second viewing will then be evaluated by the veterinarian and their height measured. The designated NWR and WPBR stallions must then also undergo a lunge test on Friday. This test gives the judges additional information about them.

Second viewing

The second viewing will take place on the Saturday. The procedure is the same as during the first viewing: enter as a group, then individual presentation, then enter again as a group. Then another decision moment: stay in the ring or leave the ring.

Section A, B, C, D, and WPBR

At the end of the second viewing, the remaining stallions may be immediately registered as studbook stallions, but sometimes an additional selection round (by section and age) takes place. The jury then looks again at the group as a whole during the walk around. It is possible that 1 or 2 stallions will have to leave the ring and will not be entered. Those still in the ring are then registered as studbook stallions, after which they are placed in order of quality.

Section NWR (Dutch Welsh Riding Pony).

In addition to the five regular sections of the parent studbook, the Welsh Pony & Cob Society in Wales, the NWPCS has a 6th section: the Dutch Welsh Riding Pony (NWR). This is actually a Welsh Partbred, but with a minimum of 25 % registered Welsh blood and crossed with Arabian, Anglo-Arabian and/or English Thoroughbred. The desired height of the NWR is between 1.46 m and 1.48 m.

To become a studbook stallion, an NWR, like other stallions, must pass the CHK, be veterinarian approved, have correct DNA proof and also have successfully completed a performance test.

Stallion with the best trot

The three-year-old NWR stallions designated for the performance test are invited, cannot compete in the Section Championship NWR. Therefore, they have their own election. The jury chooses three stallions eligible for the title ‘Stallion with the best trot’. The public chooses (via applause and cheers) which of the three they think is the best and gets the title.

NWPCS studbook stallions

All NWPCS studbook stallions are required to appear at the CHK in the year following their registration. This is to maintain their status as studbook stallions.

After that, all studbook stallions can participate in the CHK on a voluntary basis. They are divided by age class on the Saturday morning. The first and second placed stallions of one of these classes and of the second viewings are invited for the section championship. The section champions and reserve champions are invited for the day championship.

History

The Dutch Welsh Pony & Cob Studbook was founded in 1959. In addition to the Central Stallion Inspection, in early February, the NWPCS annually organizes five regional mare inspections, an inspection day and a Central Mare Inspection (CMK) always held in August.

Following the Dutch Horses Act, NWPCS stallion selection in the period from 1959 to 1995 differed from that of the parent studbook (WPCS) in the United Kingdom. A stallion was licensed for breeding only after registration in the studbook, a veterinary examination for fertility and a correct pedigree confirmed by a DNA test to both parents. The foregoing was mandatory in order for offspring of the stallion to be registered in the studbook, even if the stallion was licensed in accordance with UK rules.

An important change occurred in 1995. From then on, the license for stallions section A, B, C, D was made equal to the rules in the United Kingdom. All offspring of a stallion with such a license can be registered with the NWPCS since then.

As a result, the CHK has become a judging where stallions can be promoted to studbook stallion status. But a Welsh Pony or Cob does not necessarily need to have an NWPCS studbook stallion as a sire to be registered in the studbook. Still, many breeders/owners prefer a studbook stallion.

Conclusion: when breeding and/or showing a Welsh Pony, there is no difference between offspring of a studbook stallion or a licensed stallion.

Ordering a box at the central stallion show is possible through this link.

Information form FTC for the new stallions to be approved