The HHSA is proud to offer discipline-specific foal assessment in order to recognise purpose bred Hanoverian and Rhineland horses in the three Olympic disciplines – Dressage, Showjumping, and Eventing. The Eventing foal category was brought to life in 2025 by the HHSA with assistance from Germany and other Verband daughter societies in order to support the breeders for one of Australia’s strongest disciplines.
Foal assessment is generally carried out on the Annual National Tour in February each year. A highly trained, Verband-approved International assessor is appointed to complete the Australian tour. For locations that are not plausible for the tour, video assessment is available. Foal assessment is subsidised for members and is provided FREE for foals registered with HHSA that are presented at central Tour venue locations. This is an excellent opportunity for breeders to receive encouraging and professional feedback on their mares and foals. Assessment is not required to register your foal.
Dressage Foals Judging Criteria
Type: Head, Neck, Topline and Frame
Limbs: Forelegs, Hindlegs, Correctness of Gaits
Walk
Trot
Canter
Each criterion scored out of 10, for a possible 50 points. 40 points and above is a Gold Award. 37.5-39 points is a silver award.
Jumping Foals Judging Criteria
Type: Head, Neck, Topline and Frame
Limbs: Forelegs, Hindlegs, Correctness of Gaits
Paces: All three paces are judged overall, with an emphasis on canter
Pedigree:
7.0 – one parent has a sophisticated jumper pedigree
7.5 – one parent is in the jumper breeding program/ successful in competition
8.0 – both parents are in the jumper breeding program/ successful in competition. The differentiation between the scores of 8 and 10 depends on the additional quality of both parents. Sport results or top scores in the MPT are important criteria.
Each criterion scored out of 10, for a possible 40 points. 32 points and above is a Gold Award. 30-31 points is a Silver Award.
Eventing Foals Judging Criteria
Type: Head, Neck, Topline and Frame. A lighter frame is preferred as compared to Jumping foals.
Limbs: Forelegs, Hindlegs, Correctness of Gaits
Paces: All three paces are judged overall, with an emphasis on canter
Pedigree:
7.0 – Generally, like to see at least 1/4 Thoroughbred blood, staying lines advantageous
7.5 – one parent has a 2* or above eventing results
8.0 – both parents have significant sporting results. The differentiation between the scores of 8 and 10 depends on the additional quality of both parents. Sport results or top scores in the MPT are important criteria.
Each criterion scored out of 10, for a possible 40 points. 32 points and above is a Gold Award. 30-31 points is a Silver Award.
Pictured are Remi Bojangles – Remi Braveheart x Remi Bodaciuous/Borsalino : Breeder Remi Stud
Borderview Boomerang – Bentley Van De Heffinck x Glenara Question/Vivant: Breeder Borderview Sporthorses – photo by Emmy Nomikos
Matavia Deluxx – Duplexx x PrM Matavia Devine (De Niro/St Pr Evole) : Breeder Matavia Performance Horses- Photo by Petrina White