Licensing & Approval

Stallions registered in BWP recognized European Warmblood foalbooks are eligible for inspection by the BWP. They must be three years old or older, by approved stallions from a BWP recognized European warmblood studbook, and out of main studbook dams. The stallion’s sire and dam do not have to be from the same studbook, but must be of proven competition bloodlines. The ideal size for a stallion is 165 to 175 cm (see height conversion chart at the bottom of the page).

Each stallion candidate presented to BWP/NAD must go through the following process in order to be presented to the Belgian Jury at a Keuring.

BWP/NAD Provisionally Approved, Conner de la Vie Z, at his approval inspection in 2024. Photo Sunsoar Photography.

Pedigree Approval

Prior to being presented, the pedigree must be sent to the BWP/NAD Studbook Committee and Belgium for approval of bloodlines. The pedigree must contain four full generations.

Veterinary Examination

Stallions must also undergo a veterinary examination. The veterinary examination is to include a semen analysis, EVA test, endoscopic laryngeal exam and radiographs. Form for examination can be found here.

Radiograph Views

Radiographs to be included with report MUST be marked with date, clinic name, horses registered name and BWP/UELN number (when available) and must be labeled Right or Left. Radiographs submitted without these labels will be rejected.

Fore feet: Dorsoplantar at 55 and 65 degrees with no shoes and Lateromedial (fetlock included)
Carpal joints: Lateromedial
Dorsopalmar both obliques all carpal views
Femoropatellar: Lateromedial
Dorsoplantar view
Tarsal joints: Lateromedial
Dorsopalmar view

Ridden Requirements

If the quality of the gaits and conformation are sufficient, the stallions will be asked to free jump and/or be ridden undersaddle depending on the age of the stallion. Stallions 3 years old, will be asked to free jump only. Stallions 4 years old will be asked to free jump and be ridden under saddle. Stallions 5 years old and older will be asked to be ridden and jumped under saddle. Stallions over 3 years old who are not currently going under saddle will be ineligible for presentation.

Dressage stallions will not be asked to free jump nor jump under saddle, but will have to show gaits and movements appropriate for their age.

Approval Inspection

Provisional approval is given to stallions meeting the stringent requirements of the BWP that have yet to complete performance requirements. Provisional approval is maintained for a period of four years or until the stallion completes performance requirements set by the BWP/NAD and approved by the BWP. The four year time period begins January 1st post provisional approval. The age level that the stallion is expected to compete in coincides with the actual birthdate of the stallion.

An Annual Activation fee will be applied for each approved and provisionally approved stallion to maintain license with BWP/NAD and BWP. Activated stallions will be promoted on the BWP/NAD website and Breeding Guide, listed on the BWP website in Europe, and offspring can be registered without incurring the outside stallion fee.

Inspection Site Requirements

Hard Surface

Stallions will be required to show a trot on a hard surface in a straight line at both a walk and a trot. Ideal surface is pavers or concrete, packed driving surface will suffice when no hard surface is available. Arena footing or grass is not sufficient. Stallions should be presented in a bridle.

Soft Surface

Stallions will be presented on the triangle on a soft surface (arena footing is ideal) in hand at both a walk and a trot. Stallions should be presented in a bridle.

Further Testing

Free jumping for stallions aged 3 and 4 that have been selected for further evaluation consists of three fences, the first of which is a cavaletti. The distance between the first and second fence is approximately 6.4 – 6.5 meters and between the second and third fence is 7.0 – 7.2 meters. The stallion starts with three trial jumps whereby the last fence is raised to 70 cm, 90 cm and a 90 cm oxer consecutively. Afterwards the oxer is elevated to 1.1 meters and is jumped four times or at the discretion of the Belgian jury. The stallion is evaluated on jumping technique, willingness and ability.

Dressage stallions that have been selected for further evaluation aged 3 will be asked to show gaits at liberty and/or on a lunge line.

Stallions aged 4 and older will be asked to show quality of gaits under saddle. These under saddle tests will be at the discretion of the Belgian Jury. Jumping stallions will be asked to jump a course at a level that is appropriate for their age. Dressage stallions will be asked to show quality of gaits and movements appropriate for their age under saddle. See Performance Requirements for height of jumps and dressage levels.

Questions About Approval?

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Height Conversions (1 inch = 2.54cm)

15.0 hands 60 inches 152.40 cm
15.1 hands 61 inches 154.94 cm
15.2 hands 62 inches 157.48 cm
15.3 hands 63 inches 160.02 cm
16.0 hands 64 inches 162.56 cm
16.1 hands 65 inches 165.10 cm
16.2 hands 66 inches 167.64 cm
16.3 hands 67 inches 170.18 cm
17.0 hands 68 inches 172.72 cm
17.1 hands 69 inches 175.26 cm
17.2 hands 70 inches 177.80 cm
17.3 hands 71 inches 180.34 cm