What is a Keuring?
Keurings are inspections.
Keurings for the BWP/NAD are held annually, and is a two week tour with stops all across the USA. The judges come over from Belgium each year for the tour, and give scores to every horse presented on the basis of conformation, gaits, and overall impression.
Foals are scored 50% on type and 50% on movement. While older horses are judged 20% on top line, head, neck, frame, 20% on legs including shoulder and hindquarter, 20% on walk, 20% on trot, and 20% on overall impression (type). Scores generally range from 60-80, with stallion’s working harder to earn their scores. Roughly the scores can be translated as follows: For Foals – 70 and over is Premium; 75 and over is First Premium. For mares: 50+ is accepted. 50 to 60 is low to medium; 60 to 70 is good; 70 to 80 is very good; 80 to 90 is exceptional; and 90 to 100 is outstanding (and very rare!). This can be applied to stallions as well except that scores must be much higher to be approved. All horses are judged on the triangle at the walk and trot. Foals are turned loose in the arena to evaluate movement.
There are several classes held at every keuring. Two classes are held for mares looking to be accepted into the studbook, one for mares aged 3-6 and one for mares 7 years and older. There are yearling and two year old futurity classes held for BWP foal book offspring. Classes are also held for colts and fillies born in the year of the keuring. If entries warrant, an under saddle class will be held for horses entered in the BWP studbook. Finally all stallions looking to be approved will be shown in hand on the triangle at a walk and trot. If the quality of the gaits and conformation are sufficient the stallion will be asked to free jump. The stallion is evaluated on jumping style. If the jumping style is adequate the stallion may be asked to be shown under saddle if trained to do so. Provisional approval is given to stallions meeting the stringent requirements of the Belgian Verband. The stallions that acquire provisional approval must then undergo a veterinary examination.
Click Here for more information about how to present your horse at a keuring.
Click Here for BWP Free Jumping Directives.