I. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Each applicant must submit a registration application to the NASPR business office. Once registration fees and appropriate paperwork have been received, a DNA-typing kit will then be issued. Registry Forms and instructions are available, upon request, from the NASPR office or you may download applications from our website at on our Forms page.

II. INSPECTION & GRADING REQUIREMENTS

Inspection and Branding Tours are scheduled each year.

A) Mares

Mare Grading is compulsory for all mares in order for their foals to be eligible for registration. If the mare has been a broodmare exclusively, she will be required to complete only the in-Hand and At-Liberty Inspections. These tests are conducted according to the ASPR Breeding Stock Inspection guidelines for Studbook placement.

For mares completing the registration process, the Performance Test was voluntary until December 31, 1999. After that date, all mares (except those with a valid veterinary waiver) must successfully complete the Mare Performance Test at inspection or produce a valid show record (for requirements please contact the Registry office). Mares without validated accepted pedigree papers must always be performance tested or produce valid show records as outlined above.

B) Stallion Inspection & Grading

All stallion candidates must be registered and DNA-typed with the Registry. In the year, he turns two; a young stallion must be graded in-Hand and At-Liberty. If he scores 7 out of 10 on this part, he will then be issued a Preliminary Breeding License, with the understanding that, before the end of the calendar year in which he turns five, he will complete the Under-Saddle (or in harness) portion of the comprehensive Stallion Performance Test or submit a satisfactory show record in the discipline chosen (call ASPR office for details).

The outline for Performance Testing is contained in the Breeding Stock Inspection Guidelines for Stallions. A stallion older than five years that has applied for registration,completed and passed the total Inspection and Performance Test requirements is issued a three-year Temporary Breeding License. During this 3-year period, the stallion must have sired and registered 10 offspring scoring a 7 or more at an approved NASPR Inspection Site. Once this requirement has been completed, the stallion will receive his Permanent Breeding License.

III. BREEDING STOCK INSPECTION GUIDELINES

A) Foal/Youngstock Inspection
The Foal/Youngstock inspection has four stages. Each pony is judged individually in the first three; in the last, all the Youngstock must appear together. All stages are compulsory for all Youngstock, and their assessments will count toward the Progeny Assessment of the sires. The young horses are assessed on Type, Frame, Conformation, Movement and General Impression.

1. STAGE 1: Assessment of Conformation
Enables the Judge(s) to assess the overall conformation and appearance of the animal. The foals are shown with their dams, if possible; the dams of older Youngstock may also be presented at the request of the stallion owner.

2. STAGE 2: Walk In-Hand
The Judge(s) assess the straightness and correctness of the animal's walk.

3. STAGE 3: Trot & Canter At-Liberty
The Judge(s) check the straightness, correctness, elevation and elasticity of the animal's gaits.

4. STAGE 4: Final Critique
The Judge(s) make an overall assessment and critique of the foal's marks and performance at the inspection. All four stages provide information that enables the judge(s) to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the animal's sire as a source of the element being judged in that particular step.

Final Grading scale is as follows:
< 6.0 Preliminary
6.0-6.9 Second Premium
7.0-7.9 First Premium
8.0-10.0 First Premium Premier (only 2% fall into this category)

B) Stallion Inspection (Mare Inspection is Identical)
Stallion inspection is designed to assess the pony as a potential breeding animal; the purpose of a Foal inspection is to assess how the stallion actually performance as a sire. The format of the inspection helps to ensure that the animals have the opportunity to display themselves naturally.

Stallions are judged individually in each of the six stages, except for the last, in which all appear together. Stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 are compulsory for all except those given a waiver for veterinary reasons. Stage 5 is optional for stallions between 36 and 48 months of age, but compulsory for all older stallions except those with a veterinary waiver. The Inspection allows the stallion to be assessed on the following categories, on which he must score a 7 out of 10 overall: Breed Type & Conformation / Shoulders & Withers / Top-Line & Quarters / Front Legs / Hind Legs / Correctness of Movement / Carriage & Elasticity / Loose Jumping Jumping Under-Saddle / Flatwork Under-Saddle / General impression.

STAGE 1: Preliminary Walk/Trot Up & Conformation Assessment on Hard Ground
The Judge(s) assess the straightness and rhythm of the stallion's movement on a firm surface so that the feet can be seen in action at all times. The Judge(s) gain an initial impression of the stallion's overall conformation and "look" as well as his attitude, temperament and handleability.

STAGE 2: Walk & Trot on Triangle and Second Conformation Assessment
The Judge(s) assess the straightness and rhythm of the stallion's movement in extension on a softer, preferably artificial, surface and examines his overall conformation and look.

STAGE 3: Trot & Canter At-Liberty
The assessment is of the stallion's natural balance and the elevation and rhythm of his pace when at liberty, as well as his attitude, temperament, handleability and manners when loose.

STAGE 4: Freejumping
Allows the Judge(s) to assess the pony's natural jumping ability and his attitude and temperament when jumping.

STAGE 5: Display Under-Saddle
The Judge(s) can assess the stallion's attitude and temperament when being ridden on the flat, check his attitude and temperament when being jumped under-saddle (optional) and judge the level of the stallion's current training and performance. Driving ponies may be shown in harness.

STAGE 6: Final Critique
In this stage, the stallion's overall performance at the inspection is assessed and evaluated and the total performance is graded.

Final Grading scale is as follows:
< 6.0 Preliminary
6.0-6.9 Second Premium
7.0-7.9 First Premium
8.0-10.0 First Premium Premier (only 2% fall into this category)

IV. BREEDING

Stallions which score at least 7 out of 10 on the Performance Testing receive a Temporary Breeding License for three years, during which they must sire ten foals registered with the NASPR. If the foals also score 7 out of 10 on the Foal/Youngstock inspection, the sire will then receive Permanent Licensing as a breeding stallion.

If a stallion enters the Registry having sired several foals, the foals will be registered at the same time as the stallion and will count toward his ten foal breeding requirement. Should a stallion not achieve the necessary points to be given Permanent Breeding Status, his foals that have been registered previously shall retain the same rights and responsibilities as foals whose sire fulfill all requirements. However, the Registry reserves the right not to accept further foals from that stallion.

If an owner wishes to register a foal with the NASPR and the sire is not registered and performance tested with the Registry, he or she may do so if that stallion has no other foals registered with the ASPR. Registration is allowed for one foal only for the lifetime of a stallion who is not ASPR-registered and performance tested - exception: stallions licensed with WBFSH member studbooks (contact the ASPR office for information).

V. OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS

Membership is a privilege, not a right.

A) Owners are expected to bring their ponies to Inspection Sites, which will be within 400 miles. For situations which exceed that mileage, the owner must make special application to the Registry Board for an exception.

B) Owners must keep breeding records current and submit these to the NASPR office by December 31st of each year.

C) If a Certificate of Registration is lost, an owner must call the NASPR office for special instructions for replacement.

D) Owners are expected to submit all fees and dues in a timely fashion.