AES Grading Procedures

At present the AES has over 350 Approved stallions standing at stud in Britain and Europe, over 400 Licensed and over 150 Registered. The vast majority of the Approved stallions are either grade A show jumping, Advanced level Dressage or Eventing and almost half are, or have been, competing at top International levels, including our six Olympic stallions (2004): a record of which any European Studbook could be proud!

To become a graded stallion with the AES the stallion must undergo a stringent 5 stage vetting first of all and show a great deal of talent for either dressage or showjumping at the initial stallion grading show, after which they will have to prove themselves in the sport during competitions. The selection is continuous and tough: stallions can be down graded as well as being up graded.

All these stallions are issued with certificates to prove their current status assuring breeders of using highly graded, sound, bona fide stallions with very good performance records.

STALLION GRADING PROCEDURE

Stallion shows are generally held in April and November each year. We hold these in Holland, France, Ireland and England. Dates are posted on this website over 1 month prior to the event, schedules can be dowloaded from this site or ordered from the AES.

Upon completion of the entry form your stallion must undergo a 5-stage vetting. A copy of this must be forwarded with your entry form. A good quality copy of his pedigree should also be forwarded and any competition results should be included e.g.copy of his passport indicating travel to International competitions etc.

Your entry should be forwarded in good time to ensure a place, entries are strictly limited due to time - we endeavour to ensure that each competitor has good time to display their stallion for scrutineering in front of the judges. Cost of entering is £141.00 (incl. VAT).

On the day of the show you should bring your passport with the original 5-stage vetting to the secretary and collect your number and order of the day. Please note that despite our best efforts we are unable to put exact times on classes finishing and starting and also when results are to be published. You should expect to be at the show for the duration although results for the loose jumping stallions are normally published at lunchtime. Please be patient, we have a large number of stallions to judge, the order printed may not necessarily be the order judged. The classes are as follows:

Approx 9am	Trot up for 2 1/2 to 3 year old stallions, in hand.
	Loose jumping for 2 1/2 to 3 year old stallions.
Approx 1pm	Results for 2 1/2 to 3 year old stallions.
Approx 1:30	Trot up for 4 year old and over stallions.
	Jumping under saddle starting with 4 year old stallions.
Finish	Dressage stallions to perform a short dressage test.

You should arrive in good time for your trot up. Smart attire is optional.

Loose-jumping is carried out in a jumping lane with the jump being raised to approximately 1.0m.

4 Year old stallions jump a short course approximately 1.1m rising with each age group.

Dressage stallions should perform a short dressage test showing the level of schooling/competition.

Results will be announced after the loose jumping for young stallions and after the ridden classes for older stalions. We do not produce reports on ther performance of stallions at grading shows. The AES maintains its grading standards to an exceptionally high level - you should discuss any questions or queries directly with the judges at the show as feedback is minimal after the event.

At the end of your class you should return your number to the secretary and collect your passport. If your stallion has graded, after the show you will receive an invoice for stallion registration and DNA test (£235 plus £40 incl VAT) and upon payment of this you will receive a grading certificate, covering certificates and a grading sticker for your passport.

Annual stallion contributions are required by every registered stallion and this is £120 plus VAT payable at the beginning of each year. Upon payment each year you will receive a grading certificate and covering certificates. If your stallion has been sold or gelded it is important for you to contact us with this information.

STALLION GRADING LEVELS

Stallions are graded at 4 different levels depending on age, ability, competition level, offspring production and offspring competition levels. Entry into a grading show does not automatically ensure that a stallion is graded even at a basic level.

Registered	This is the basic level of grading and normally young stallions attending their first grading would enter at this level if graded. Registered Grade stallions can cover up to 10 of their owner's mares per annum.
Licensed	At this level your stallion should be competing in age classes and can cover up to 30 mares per annum.
Approved	This is the maximum level of grading and usually applies to stallions competing or that have competed at an International level. Also with proven offspring. Approved Grade stallions can cover an unlimited number of mares.
Approved Elite	Stallions are given Elite status subject to the judges' discretion and based on proven competition and offspring success at the highest level.

Private gradings can be arranged, please call for more information.

YOUNG HORSE SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS

This is a new fixture since 2005 and is organised and supported by the AES along with valued sponsorship from our member breeders, owners and competitors. The first show held in 2005 was a total success spanning 3 days. The event comprises classes for 4, 5, 6 and 7 year old horses which are split into British Bred and Non-British Bred. Prize money for each class exceeds £1,500 and we hope that each year the event will grow into a permanent and major competition highlighting breeding at its best.