The Swedish Warmblood

700 years of breeding tradition in Sweden has resulted in a unique
top-class horse - the Swedish Warmblood. This tradition of quality
is something we are proud to now bring to Australia.

As the Swedish Warmblood breeding program was originally
focused on providing the Army with a horse that would give it
an edge over the enemy, a selection of stallions and mares
from all over Europe were brought to Sweden.
The lines with the best performance, temperament and health
have been consistently selected for breeding over generations,
in order to create the Swedish Warmblood.

This horse had to endure the coldest of winters, hot summers
and vast distances. It had to be very trainable, reliable and
good natured. But also brave, powerful, proud and beautiful.
A horse that you could ride, jump or drive through dense forest
and difficult terrain. The cavalry officers also demanded a horse
that could perform the highest levels of classical dressage.

The selection tests to become a Swedish Breeding Stallion are
based on these demands.

How to become a Swedish Breeding Stallion

A colt or stallion planning to qualify as a Swedish Breeding Stallion
must pass through the eye of a needle. It's very tough!

The procedure is as follows:

Stallion owners all over Europe evaluate their young horses and
choose the best for the selection process. In an average year,
300 - 400 young stallions are nominated for testing.

After the first test of health, type and character, 40 - 50 stallions
are normally chosen to proceed.

The next test phase includes performance, pedigree and progeny.
An average of 10 will receive breeding approval.

When the Swedish National Stud Flyinge is choosing stallions,
they normally pick out 1 - 3 of the approved stallions,
for education and breeding.


BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE EVALUATION PROCESS:

In general:
 The evaluation should be based on pedigree assessment,
 type and character testing and progeny testing.
 The type and character testing consists of the evaluation
 of the pedigree, performance, exterior, durability and health.
 The progeny testing will take place when a specified number of
 offspring have reached the appropriate age for evaluation.

Stallions that can be evaluated:
 A stallion must be 3 years old or older and must be registered
 in the ASVH's Studbook, Section I. Both Dam and Sire must be
 registered in one of the Studbooks approved by ASVH.
 The Grand Sires and Great Grand Sires must also be registered
 in the National Studbook. Exception to this rule may be accepted
 if the stallion has outstanding pedigree, as well as an exceptional
 performance record or a number of exceptional offspring (min.15).

 The type and character testing can only commence if he meets
 these requirements.

 The stallion must go through a type and character test with
 a specific performance test when he is 3-5 years old.
 If he is 6 years or older he must have reached assessable
 performances suited to his age.

 
The testing process has 4 steps:

 Step 1.
   Exterior and health. Only horses that pass this test can go
   on.

 Step 2.
   Performance test for 3-year old horses.
   Consists of:
   Free jumping over 1.30 m high and 1.20 wide fences.
   Ridden movements and pedigree assessment.

   The horse will receive a Dressage and a Jumping index.
   Approved result will give the stallion a, 1 year only,
   Breeding License. Regardless of result, the type and
   character testing is not yet completed.

 Step 3.
   Performance test for 4-5 year old stallions.
   Step 1. is repeated.

   Those who fail cannot go on to the performance test.

   After the performance test is completed, the stallions
   who pass will receive AB Breeding License for 6 years.
   Those who fail can try again the following year.

 Step 4.
   The 4 year old horses will complete a "Phase 1" free jumping
   test and a ridden movement test with their own rider, which
   gives a preliminary result.

   Then in "Phase 2" the stallions will be evaluated for dressage
   or jumping.

   The "Dressage" stallions will perform a set test with their
   own rider, as well as with a professional dressage rider.

   The "Jumping" stallions will jump 5-6 fences 1.10 high
   and 1.30 wide, plus a 1.50 wide Trippelbar, with their
   own rider, as well as a professional showjumping rider.

   The results of these tests will in turn give a Dressage
   or a Jumping Index that will be the basis for a possible
   approval as a Swedish Breeding Stallion.