Keuring 2011 at DG Bar Ranch

I just returned from a fun filled few days at the lovely DG Bar Ranch in Hanford CA.

First I must say what a welcoming place this is, such nice friendly, family oriented people, who have a true passion for horses.

I had the opportunity to present Brigette owned by Lisa Pincus. Brit as we call her is sired by Facet and is a lovely chestnut mare. She was second premium and thus made it into the mare book. I rode her in the IBOP test and she was very obedient and scored 7 on rideability. She is a very compact 15.3hh and perfect for her Amateur/owner. Whilst at the ranch she fell in love with her stall mate a foal sired by Totillas, she has great taste!

I had never experienced a KWPN Keuring before but have presented mares in performance tests successfully for Oldenburg and Hannoverian. It is an interesting process, first we present the mare for measurement and they must be at least 158cm, Brit is 160. Then they are trotted for soundness on a hard surface. Next the horses proceed to the jump chute and if presented for Dressage are just turned loose and evaluated on the 3 gaits and conformation. A few hours later the are ridden in the IBOP, a long dressage test in a short court (40m) arena that consists of 20m circles, serpentine, lengthening of stride at trot and canter, trot stretch circle and walk on both reins working and free walk. The test is called since it is very long and difficult to memorize! After this is the group session and DG Bar Cup. According to age the horses show circles, lenthening, trot walk, canter walk transitions, leg yields and shoulder in, stretch circle and free walks as announced by the inspector. The standard is higher for the older horses and the judges are really looking for very supple horses with elasticity, willingness to work and ability to lengthen, collect and relax. Overall it is definitely worth presenting your horse if your intention is to breed and it can l help the owners and breeders decide what the weaknesses and strengths of their horses are before they enter the competition arena. if you have a very willing rideable horse who is not necessarily a superstar you may want to save your money and just go watch instead!