This system was introduced in 2019 as an easy way for breeders to see the performance aspect of a stallion or his progeny.
All stallions licenced from September 2025 MUST fulfill the Performance Criterea for 2 Star Staus before their progeny out of Stud Book mares will be eligible for Register 1.
It is the stallion owner’s responsibility to apply for upgrading and prove these results to the satisfaction of the NZWA Committee.
No Star
Any stallion that has passed the NZWA licensing criteria but did not achieve Merit or Excellence during the Licensing and has not met the requirements for a higher star status.
One Star
Any Stallion that passed Licensing with a Merit or Excellence during the Licensing but has not met the requirements for a higher star status.
Two Star
Any Stallion that is Licensed and has achieved the Performance Test criteria applicable to his age as follows:
Dressage
4yr old Stallion – 70% or higher in 5 official level 1 or 2 dressage tests (one of which must be at a Regional Championship show) OR 2 percentages over 75% in an official Young Horse Championship Test in the 4yr old class.
5yr old Stallion – 70% or higher in 5 official level 2 or 3 dressage tests (one of which must be at a Regional Championship show) or 2 percentages over 75% in an official Young Horse Championship Test in the 5yr old class.
6yr old Stallion – 67% or higher in 5 official level 3 or higher dressage tests (one of which must be at a Regional Championship show) or 2 percentages over 73% in an official Young Horse Championship Test in the 6yr old class.
7yr or older Stallion – 65% or higher in 5 official level 5 or higher dressage tests (one of which must be at a Regional Championship show) or 2 percentages over 72% in an official Young Horse Championship Test in the 7yr old class (Stallion must be 7yrs to achieve performance criteria in the Young Horse class).
Showjumping
4yr old Stallion – 0.90 meter or higher – 4 clear first rounds at official ESNZ recognised showjumping shows OR 2 clear first rounds in the 4yr old show jumping qualifiers or finals.
5yr old Stallion – 1.00 or higher – 4 clear first rounds at official ESNZ recognised showjumping shows OR 2 clear first rounds in the 5yr old show jumping qualifiers or finals.
6yr old Stallion – 1.10 or higher – 4 clear first rounds at official ESNZ recognised showjumping shows OR 2 clear first rounds in the 6yr old showjumping qualifiers or finals.
7yr or older Stallion – 1.15 or higher – 4 clear first rounds at official ESNZ recognised showjumping shows OR 2 clear first rounds in the 7yr old show jumping qualifiers or finals
Eventing
4yr old Stallion – .80m or higher – 3 starts in an ESNZ Eventing competition with clear x-country jumping, less than 10 time faults and no more than one rail and one time penalty in the show jumping phase.
5yr old Stallion – .95m or higher – 3 starts in an ESNZ Eventing competition with clear x-country jumping, less than 10 time faults and clear in the showjumping phase.
6yr old Stallion – 1.05 cm / 1* or higher - 3 starts in an ESNZ Eventing Competition with clear x-country jumping, less than 10 time faults and clear in the showjumping phase.
7yr or older Stallion – 1.10m / 2* - 3 starts in an ESNZ Eventing competion with clear x-country jumping, less than 10 time faults and clear in the showjumping phase.
Top 3 placing in age appropriate young horse eventing classes will also be considered
PLEASE NOTE:
A stallion may use a combination of results across all the disciplines to reach the Performance Criteria.
It is the stallion owners responsibility to inform the NZWA committee that the horse has reached the Performance Criteria.
If a stallion is unable to achieve the performance testing results himself, he is able to achieve the Performance Test requirements by having 10 of his progeny meet the performance test criteria across any of the disciplines. These progeny must be registered with the NZWA or another Breed Association approved by the NZWA.
Three Star
Any Stallion that is Licensed and has achieved ‘Principal Stallion’ status through performance in sport. Principal Status will be awarded to those studbook stallions who can prove:
Dressage
3 scores of 65% in dressage competitions at Level 5 and above (excluding musical freestyles). These must have been obtained at ESNZ Regional Championships, National Championships of the Horse of the Year Show OR
Showjumping
3 double clears in show jumping competitions at 1.30m and above OR
Eventing
3 placings 1st to 6th in eventing competitions at 2 Star level and above – must have finished on less than 60 penalties
OR: Have produced 5 or more registered progeny who have met these requirements.
Four Star
Any Stallion that is Licensed and has achieved ‘Elite Stallion’ status through performance in Sport. Elite Status will be awarded to those studbook stallions who can prove:
Dressage
3 scores of 65 % or above (excluding musical freestyles) in dressage competitions at Prix St Georges level and above – these must be obtained at a CDI, NZ National Championships or the NZ Horse of the Year Show OR
Showjumping
3 double clears or 1st-4th placings in show jumping competitions at Grand Prix level – these must be obtained at the NZ National Championships, Horse of the Year Show or World Cup Qualifier OR
Eventing
3 placings 1st-6th in eventing 3-star competitions or above – must have finished on less than 60 penalties
OR have produced FIVE or more registered progeny who have met these.
Conditions for Principal and Elite Awards
Performances must have been achieved at official ESNZ competitions / overseas equivalent. Stallion owners will need to provide proof to the NZWA Committee that the stallion has met the criteria. The stallion must have at least 5 of its progeny registered with the NZWA and be in good standing with the NZWA (ie stallion fees paid and Service Returns filed).