AWHA Ltd. (Vic Branch)
 Warmblood Weekend
8th & 9th October 2005
Report and Pictures Berni Saunders
Colt Classification - Page 1

The Colt Classification is an important part of the on-going purpose of the Association as it rewards breeding excellence and brings the next generations of stallions into the breeding program.  Like all events which have a specific time-line, the colt classification will favour young stallions who are a little more forward as they come up to end of their third year.

This Classification Day had 5 Colts/Stallions listed but the last withdrawal of Sirocco (Belcam International) due to injury meant that there were 4 to be assessed.  The Classification procedure has a number of phases and the 4 stallions took more than half a day of thorough inspection and consideration.  At the end of the process, the owners are invited to discuss the results with the Classifiers and for those who did not get through on this occasion, they were  given reasons.  The thinking owner will take the comments on board and use the information as a basis for the future training which will help to improve the horse so that he can meet the stringent requirements of the Classifiers in the future.

From left:  Lexi Wynmalen (Trainee Colt Classifier from VIC),
Annette Cordell (from NSW), Lesley Archer (from NSW)
and Diane Bennit (from WA).

The AWHA acknowledge the support of its many generous sponsors, and for this part of the program International Animal Health products played a major role.  This is an Australian company who manufacture a huge range of top quality products for keeping horses in tip top conditions from inside and out - visit their web site for more.  When you are next considering feed additives, first aid and health care products please remember the people who help the AWHA to support it's members.

Posters and Livamol giveaway bags were a big part of the colourful decor.
The bright orange Livamol rug awaits the highest scoring colt.

Potential stallion owners may have their colts classified at 3 or 4 years of age, and I understand that at present an 'amnesty period' exists and stallions of any age may be presented for consideration.

There is a great deal of work and effort involved in preparing a colt or stallion for classification.  He must be in perfect condition, taught to lead out and show his movement in hand.  He must be let loose to show free movement which will include a canter.  A stallion who is overly excited or afraid will race about and show nothing of his ability to trot or canter and could easily be hurt - so great care and plenty of practice is very important.  This part of the assessment can often be the most difficult to 'train' as the exciting influences of classification day are difficult - if not impossible to replicate in a training environment.  Stallions who rush around and will not settle enough to show their best movement will be judged on what is presented - and this is often not the horse's best.

The stallions must also be taught to move around the arena in a calm and obedient manner , up through a 'jumping lane' and over a series of jumps.  This allows the classifiers to assess the horse's jumping technique, attitude and bascule (his body line over the jump) - these characteristics have always been highly prized in Warmblood horses - and even though many stallions are destined to breed Dressage horses, it is still considered important that the stallions shows a good style and aptitude for jumping as a factor in his overall athleticism.

The AWHA Vic. Committee did a great job with the decor and the
attractive "Horseland' posters added colour and atmosphere.