Understanding Predicates

Case Study

At the age of three this mare completed a neat IBOP Test with 77 points. A year later she received a 1st premium and an invitation for the Central Inspection. A pretty good chance this mare would rise to Crown. But to the owner’s exasperation the Jury decided otherwise.

How could this be possible? The mare had met all requirements, hadn’t she? On behalf of the KFPS, Inspector Harrie Draaijer is willing to clarify this matter.

Registration Regulations state that Friesian mares can be awarded the Star-, Crown- and Model predicate. Out of these three the Crown- and Model predicates dictate exterior and sport aptitude requirements.

The designation of the (Preliminary) Crown predicate takes place during the Central Inspection in the Netherlands and at the bi-annual keurings in Australia. To be eligible for the Crown predicate the Registration Regulations state the following requirements:

• A mare must be at least three years old with a minimum height at withers of 1,58m.

• Mares with a Preliminary Crown declaration up to and including the Central Inspection of 2013 must have completed an IBOP or ABFP Test with a minimum score of 77 points averaging a 7 for walk and trot to achieve the Permanent Crown declaration.

• Mares with a Preliminary Crown declaration as from the Central Inspection of 2014 must have completed an IBOP or ABFP Test with a minimum score of 77 points averaging a 7 for the three basic gaits to achieve the Permanent Crown declaration. The Crown predicate cannot be awarded if the horse has scored lower than a 6 for any of the basic gaits.

•  Permanent Crown status can also be achieved by obtaining the Sport predicate.

The differentiation in The Registration Regulations between a Preliminary Crown declaration prior to and after the Central Inspection of 2014 is due to the fact that from 2014 onwards the canter is included in the basic gaits for assessment of the test.

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Preliminary and Permanent Crown

To become Crown a mare must have received a 1st premium and have completed an IBOP or ABFP Test with a minimum of 77 points or have acquired the Sport predicate. A mare with a 1st premium but who has not completed a Test can be declared Preliminary Crown. In terms of exterior such a mare ranks with the top of the 1st premium mares. When this mare later completes a Test with a minimum of 77 points she will be declared Permanent Crown.

Figures reveal that around 75% of Preliminary Crown mares are upgraded to Permanent Crown on the basis of test results.

The alternative route in the Netherlands is the completion of an IBOP or ABFP Test which is followed by an invitation for the Central Inspection on the basis of a 1st premium. If the Jury at the Central Inspection rules that the mare ranks with the top of the mare population in terms of exterior and she has scored 77 or more points on the Test she will be declared Crown without any delay.

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Not matter-of-course
It’s a misunderstanding that a 1st premium mare with 77 points or over for an IBOP or ABFP Test automatically becomes Crown at the Central Inspection. ‘If a mare easily qualified for a 1st premium with an average of 7,5 for exterior and movement as well as 77 or more points for the Performance Test this is sufficient to be declared Crown. If a 1st premium mare scores slightly less on exterior with for instance a 6,5 for conformation, then a 77-point score for the IBOP or ABFP will not prove enough to be declared Crown. Such a mare needs compensation points such as extra high scores (80 points or over) for the Test. If this mare has indeed scored 80 points or more for an IBOP or ABFP Test this may be enough to compensate the lower score on exterior and she is still eligible for Crown declaration.’

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