Native Breeds Factsheet – Futurity 2025
We are delighted to announce a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the
special contribution of our British Native Breeds to the equestrian community. For the
very first time the British Breeding Baileys Horse Feeds Futurity will offer a special
tailored Futurity programme designed to evaluate the diverse community of our native
breeds for their potential as riding horse and ponies for leisure owners and amateurs.
Eligibility
Horses and ponies from the age of 6 weeks to 5 years old that are registered with or eligible
for registration with Defra approved studbooks can enter this 2025 pilot. 5-year-old will be
presented under saddle, 4-year-olds can be presented under saddle or loose, all other ages
will be presented loose. During the pilot phase native breeds will not be expected to jump.
Entering
When you enter, choose the category for native breeds and we will make sure that your
horse is evaluated using the dedicated scoring parameters.
Evaluation Criteria
The aim of the programme is to highlight the ridden attributes and contribution native breeds
make to British equestrianism as ridden horses and ponies across a wide range of purposes.
Native breed horses and ponies will be described using our linear scoring system creating a
detailed profile of conformation and movement. The evaluation and interpretation of these
attributes will differ from sports horses and ponies because of the native's unique
characteristics, own phenotypes and movement patterns. They will not be in any way
“penalised”, we will evaluate and record precisely what we see, through the lens of the fact
that they are a traditional breed type. We will not evaluate against distinct individual breed
standards.
All horses and ponies entered into this section will be evaluated and scored using the same
criteria as each other and there will be a separate awards section just for them. The
evaluation will reward attributes likely to contribute to a long and comfortable ridden career.
This includes soundness and correctness, as well as balanced and rhythmical gaits, without
looking for the extravagance and athleticism associated with purely performance bred
horses and ponies.
Body condition
As with all types, movement is affected by a higher body condition score. We will note this on the evaluation sheet and it may understandably have an impact on the score.
The vet section may also remark on this, should it be the case, because a higher body condition score in young horses is well evidenced to have a detrimental effect on their long term physiological health.
