2023 Mare and Foal Grading Results - Sponsored by VT Vets

    29 Nov 2023   

We have had another successful year with 10 venues kindly hosting mare and foal gradings across the country.  We had 37 mares and 28 foals forward for grading.

22 mares graded into the Head Stud Book, 14 attained Main Stud Book status and 1 mare joined the Foundation Stud Book. All of the mares forward gained good scores and had favourable comments, many with sufficient scores to be included in the Head Book but lacked the 3 generations of verified pedigree.  As a society we are delighted to welcome these mares onto the grading system and share their owner’s enthusiasm to improve and increase their mares value for future generations.

Of the 28 foals presented 14 graded and 13 achieved the higher Premium status.  1 foal failed to grade due to injury and subsequent unsoundness on the day. The standard of foals was extremely high, and the highest placed foals were exceptional.

The grading was again generously supported by VT Vets and the top 3 mares and the top two foals will receive their monetary prizes from them.

Top Graded mare went to Grafennacht belonging to Mrs A Gould. Grafennacht is by Grafenstolz out of Nachtigal.  Grafennacht has a BE record too extensive to mention in it’s entirety, but her  14th  placing at Badminton this year along with her 622 BE points gained her Elite Status.  Congratulations to Mrs Gould who wins the top prize of £400.

Second highest mare went to Defining Asia belonging to Mr N Holden.  Defining Asia is by Broadstone Dickins out of Indiania Rising.  Defining Asia was winning Sport Horse Brood mare and took the Championship of the  Sport Horse section at Royal Norfolk show 2023.  Congratulations to Mr Holden who wins the second prize of £300.

Third place went to joint winners Templar Romance and Midnight Dream II.

Templar Romance belongs to Miss G Belton and is by Templar Spirit out of Templar Enchantress.

Midnight Dream II belongs to Miss K Barley and is by Classic out of Drummers Dream.

Congratulations to both who will take an equal share of the third prize of £300.

Each of the other mares achieving Head Stud Book status will be awarded a voucher for a free foal registration (including DNA). Vouchers are valid for two years, and foals must be by an SHB(GB) Graded Stallion.

The highest placed foal of the series goes to Churchills Rose owned and bred by Miss Belton. Churchills Rose is by Churchill out of Templar Romance.

The second highest place foal is also one of Miss Belton’s Geminis Storm by Gemini’s Classic Opera out of Peyton Place (Zara).

Congratulations to Miss Belton who will be receiving £500 for Churchills Rose and £300 for Geminis Storm.

We are very grateful to all our generous hosts who allowed us the use of their facilities and we are also very appreciative of the time given by the panel of graders who ensure that consistent standards are maintained.

Thanks, must also go to VT Vets for their continued support and sponsorship of this mare and foal grading series.

We look forward to another year of grading in 2024, so if you currently have an un-graded mare in foal or a mare you intend to breed from look out for our dates which will be advertised in the new year and you too, could be winning prizes similar to those above!.

Please contact laura@sporthorsegb.co.uk if you have any queries or questions regarding mare or foal grading.