The Baileys Horse Feeds/British Equestrian Federation (BEF) Futurity has announced the launch of an additional evaluation date for 2009. The new date is Tuesday 1 September at Solihull Riding Club in the West Midlands.

As reported in H&C, potential endurance horses have been added to the mix for 2009, building on the established sections for young potential sport horses destined for careers as dressage horses, eventers, show jumpers and sports ponies in age groups from foals to three years. This addition has contributed to the rise in entry numbers, with a number of venues already full and closed to entries (see below).

Jan Rogers, BEF’s Head of Equine Development, said, “the Futurity’s support has exceeded all expectations this year which has meant that we have needed to source additional places so that people are not disappointed. The Futurity is showing itself to be an assessment system which British breeders value, because it enables them to demonstrate, long before a horse is able to compete, that it has performance potential. It is serving as a valuable marketing tool for British breeders and we are delighted that so many people want to be part of it.”

On a Futurity evaluation day, all young horses are first seen by a vet who will establish whether an equine has any performance potential inhibiting features which may be resolvable, for example by foot trimming or remedial farriery. The vet’s mark sets out whether, in the opinion of the vet on the day, that horse has the potential to stay sound over the long competitive careers modern sport horses are subject to. The vet provides feedback and advice on any conditions which may require management.

Following the vet’s assessment, young horses are then seen in hand and loose in a safe indoor environment and are evaluated by a team of three evaluators with specialist skills who will assign marks for conformation, correctness of paces, athleticism, type and temperament. Horses are seen standing still, in walk and trot on the triangle and then loose at all paces, including down a jumping lane for three year old eventers and show jumpers.

Young horses can take home a BEF Premium (grade), a rosette, a detailed, informative score sheet. A certificate follows on after the event. All results are published on the fully searchable Futurity site, and afterwards feature with those horses’ performance records on NED, the National Equine Database.

The polularity of this year's evaluations is a boost for British Breeding, and reflects the hard work British breeders have put into refining and improving their stock.

Venues:

21 July The Grange, Okehampton, Devon
23 July The College EC, Keysoe, Beds
28 July Plumpton College, Lewes, East Sussex FULL
30 July Arena UK, Grantham, Lincs
4 Aug Myerscough College, Preston, Lancs
6 Aug Sunnybank EC, Rudry, Caerphilly
11 Aug Richmond EC, North Yorkshire
13 Aug Heart of England, Stone, Staffs
18 Aug Catherston Stud, Hants, FULL
20 Aug Solihull, West Mids, FULL
25 Aug Fountain EC, Dyce, Aberdeen
27 Aug Tall Trees EC, Camelford, Cornwall
1 Sept Solihull, West Mids, NEW DATE