Foreign Breed Info
Foreign Breed Information Page
What is a Foreign Breed?
A Foreign Breed is one that is non-indigenous to the British Isles (England, Scotland, Wales, Outer Hebrides, Isle of Man, Outer Isles, Northern Ireland & Eire).
Foreign Breed Show Affiliation Form
Judges List
Foreign Breed Show Rules
It does not matter WHERE your horse was physically born, just where it's Mother Stud book is held, e.g. where the breed originated from.
So, a Lusitano born in the UK is a Foreign Breed, but a Welsh Pony born in Australia is not.
Pure and partbreds should be registered with their appropriate Stud Books, although some shows offer "open" type classes for non-registered Foreign Breeds as well - so you should be able to find something to take part in no matter what.
If in doubt ask the show secretary what classes you would be eligible for.
There are many new (foreign) breeds and outcrosses being developed - some would be considered purebreds, some partbreds (for the purposes of competing) - again, if in doubt please contact the show organisers holding the classes you wish to take part in.
For the newer breeds, as a rough guide the following questions may be of use:
1) Is it (the breed in questions' Stud Book) a closed stud book?
2) Is it (the breed) recognised elsewhere in the world (especially perhaps in the country of origin of the original breed)?
1) Is it (the breed in questions' Stud Book) a closed stud book?
2) Is it (the breed) recognised elsewhere in the world (especially perhaps in the country of origin of the original breed)?
3) Is verified parentage required for registration?
4) Does the horse have to undergo inspections/gradings in order to be eligible to enter the Main/Adult Stud Book/be approved for breeding?
It can take many years for "new" breeds to become established, prepotent and a distinct recognisable type and accepted worldwide (this goes for all breeds, not just foreign breeds).
We completely recommend that you register your horses, both pure and partbreds with your respective breed societies and also that you keep them up to date with changes in ownership too - without the work they do to maintain these breed registries many of us would never be able to ascertain the wonderful heritage of our foreign breeds.
If you hold a foreign breed class (or breed specific class, such as Lusitano, Appaloosa, Arab etc.) and would like your event to be considered as a qualifier for our Foreign Breed National Championships please use the form below. We advise selecting a judge from the Foreign Breed Judges panel list - other panel judges may be used for our qualifying classes, with approval. For breed specific classes (e.g. Arabs) breed panel judges are also recognised and approved (e.g. AHS judges for Arabs).
New to Foreign Breed Showing?
We know some of you join us as your first introduction to showing, or your first introduction to the "American" style of showing foreign breeds - and appreciate it can all be a bit daunting and confusing.
Have a read through the Foreign Breed Show Rules, as it is very informative and is as useful to the competitor as it is to judges.
If you have any questions or queries, please let us know.
You can contact us via social media on our Facebook page
or Facebook group
or you can EMAIL
us direct.
Foreign Breed Turnout
English (Hunter)
Traditional English turnout, as for Riding Horse, Hunter, Cob or Hack (turnout is the same and dependent on the build of horse). Bridles should be snaffle, pelham or doubles and should suit the type of horse (e.g;. plain leather for hunter types, bling browbands for riding horse types). Acceptable for ANY Foreign Breed.
Evening dress is acceptable for evening classes (& championships if shows permit).
(Photo courtesy USAUK).
Lusitano
Traditional turnout for the Lusitano is the Portuguese dress. Bridles are a snaffle, double or Pelham and breastplates & cruppers are optional. Rider to wear a plain, dark hat, jacket is often worn open and shirt is white with the front pleated or ruffled. A sash is optional for men, fringed at one end and tied on the left. A sash or cummerbund is compulsory for women. Trousers or breeches are worn by men, riding skirt or culottes by women, both of which are straight legged, finishing just above the ankles and usually dark conservative colours. Boots or shoes are either back or brown and spurs are optional. Boots may be worn (by the horse) in Parade and working classes only.
(Photo courtesy Maria O'Hare).
Saddle Seat
Found among Morgans & Saddlebreds and sometimes Friesians too. Flat, cut back saddle, double bridle, long, flared day coat type jacket for rider (may be a different colour or the same colour as the jods), flared jods, short boots and soft Derby or Trilby / Panama hat (Derby for ladies) & approved safety hat for any junior exhibitor. Dressage style whips may be carried and spurs may be worn. Mane/forelock braiding (with ribbons) should only be seen in saddle seat classes.
(Photo courtesy USAUK).
PRE
Traditional turnout for the PRE is Spanish attire. There are two types - Vaquera & Classica. Viewers are invited to read the USAUK Show Rules (see top of page) or contact the PRE Breed Society
for more details. Vaquera: saddle is black and fitted with a crupper, optional breast plate. A wool blanket is worn over the front of the saddle. Bridle is ridden one handed, with a single set of reins fitted. Rider wears a jacket in sombre colours, with a matching waistcoat. Women wear the same dress as men. Canes may be held, but not whips. For Classica, saddles are usually brown and may have a sheepskin cover. Cruppers & breastplates to be fitted. Bridle is similar to the Vaquera, but a Pelham may be used with double reins. There is a choice of jackets for the rider, but all are cropped. Waistcoats must match the jacket and white shirts are worn, which may be of a “dress” type.
(Photo courtesy Twin Photographic)
Western
Acceptable for ANY Foreign Breed. Stock saddle (with or without horn), snaffle, bosal/hackamore or curb bridle. Rider to wear jeans & Steston hat, chaps & jacket are optional. Conservative colours in workman classes, colourful shirts / jackets allowed in youth, showmanship, pleasure etc. For more information we recommend contacting the Western Equestrian Society.
(Photo courtesy Twin Photographic)
Heritage
Heritage classes / turnout encompasses saddle seat (for Morgans & Saddlebreds), Portuguese, and Spanish attire (for Lustianos and PREs), as well as the more colourful American Indian heritage for Appaloosas, Russian dress for the Akhel Teke and Bedouin for Arabs and so on. These may be seen as separate classes, turnout within their own breed or open Foreign Breed classes or maybe in a concours class - some are now introducing a Hertiage section to cater for our wonderful Foreign Breeds.
(Photo courtesy Genie Images)
