Stallion licensing and more in Danish Warmblood
The Danish Warmblood stallion licensing in Herning taking place from March 5-9, features five days of stallion licensing, international dressage and jumping competitions alongside a massive fair and two spectacular Galla Shows
Every exhibition hall and stable at the impressive MCH Exhibition Center Herning is utilized when the breeding federation, Danish Warmblood, hosts its stallion licensing. This year marks the 45th year of the Danish Warmblood Stallion Show in Herning, which has evolved into a well-oiled event, supported by 350 indispensable volunteers.
The event includes the licensing of 3- and 4-year-old stallions, as well as older stallions, combined with international CDI5*, 3*, and 1* dressage competitions and CSI3* + 1* jumping. The event also features the DWB Young Horse Championship final for 5-year-old horses and two breathtaking Galla Shows on Friday and Saturday evenings, all complemented by a fair with over 235 vendors. Last year, more than 62,000 spectators attended this spectacular event, contributing to a fantastic atmosphere across the three arenas.
As always, this year’s collection from Danish breeders is eagerly awaited, with foreign young stallions supplementing the Danish-bred participants. In the Danish Warmblood selection system, stallions are categorized by age. While the 3-year-olds are undergoing their selection process culminating on Sunday, some of the 4- and 5-year-old dressage stallions will receive their licensing on Tuesday and can participate in show classes during the event.
Stallion grading
The Stallion Licencing presented by Future Dressage opens Wednesday, March 5, with a voluntary test under saddle for the 3-year-old dressage and jumping stallions. Stallions that pass this rideability test and are approved on Sunday will be granted a one-year covering license.
All stallions will be shown by hand on a hard surface before the breeding committee on Thursday in the Dansk Hesteforsikring Arena E. Twelve dressage stallions that are 4 years or older and have approved performance tests will be graded Thursday afternoon. If licensed, they will be eligible to enter the various show classes during the event.
Performance testing system in jumping
In 2023, the testing system for young jumping stallions was modified. Approved 3-year-old stallions return as 4-year-olds and must participate in two under-saddle observation classes in jumping during the Stallion Licensing. If they perform satisfactorily, they will be granted an additional one-year covering permit. Following this, they must complete a 20-day performance test (a shortened version of the current 35-day test) in the fall, and the following year, at 5 years old, they can obtain their final licensing at the Stallion Licensing in Herning.
This year, six 5-year-old stallions will be presented for final grading before the jumping licensing committee, comprised of Johnny Hansen, Signe Wiese, Bo K. Møller, and Allan Blomgreen, on Thursday afternoon. Additionally, the jumping licensing committee will evaluate 13 preselected 3-year-old stallions in loose jumping on Saturday and Sunday, along with three preselected older stallions.
29 preselected 3-year-olds
The licensing committee for dressage, consisting of Vicky Nortvig, Bjarne Nielsen, Rune Willum and Johnny Sørensen will be judging 29 3-year-old stallions in Hering. They will be lounged on Friday in Krafft Arena M and shown loose on Sunday before sorting and awarding.
Lars Bak Andersen and Daniel Bachmann Andersen. Photo: Ridehesten.com
DWB Young Horse Championship
In the fall, 4-year-old Danish Warmblood horses can compete in suitability tests in either jumping or dressage. The highest-scoring young horses qualify for the DWB Young Horse Championship in Herning, where they are evaluated twice under their own riders, with the best participants moving on to be tested by a test rider. Two members of the Danish National Team—Daniel Bachmann Andersen for dressage and Lars Bak Andersen for jumping—will serve as test riders in the final of the DWB Young Horse Championship.
More than 60,000 spectators from Denmark and abroad are expected at the Danish Warmblood Stallion Show, many of whom look forward to the spectacular gala shows on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Follow the Danish Warmblood Stallion Show at: www.dvherning.dk