The Swedish stallion assessment prosess (AV) contra the open market
Teresa B. Viste
horses in
the rest of the world and Sweden's unique AV system has been given to
me by Mrs.
Sara Borg, an English lady, breeder of the British Riding Pony, who
has lived in
Sweden for many years and know the system in and out:
I quote:
With the open market system after your stallion has been passed by the
Vet, you
licence him with his Breed Soc, then you are free to compete with
everyone else.
It is a lengthy and expensive business to breed, prepare and market a
stallion.
Owners embarking on this business are aware of the standard and
competition. In
open competition nothing is hidden, no stallions are stopped by some
panel, so
the competition you see is genuine and you can make an informed
decision.
Judging accessments are done in the show ring comparing like with
like, either
by Breed, or by Type and bringing the best forward. It compares
conformation,
movement, manners and a general overview. Pedigree is not judged
because of
bias. Merits gained under several judges at several venues gives a
fairer
accessment overall. Most importantly your stallion has the possibility
to be
seen. Judges can have no connection with animals or owners. Judging is
done
"blind" meaning no details of pedigree or ownership are known to the
judge at
the judging.
There are different tests, the 30 day and 100 day tests for stallions
to compete
for performance and Grading, but by far the best test is their
competition
career and merits gained. Mare owners have 100% choice. The knock on
effect of
this system is, Shows are provided up and down the country which is
vital for
the rural economy.
----------------
Sweden's AV system. In this system, prior to the possibility to
compete, you
must first put your stallion in front of your Breed Society AV panel
and they
decide over you whether he can compete and be used or not for breeding
in
Sweden. They are stallion owners themselves and your direct
competitors, they
have his pedigree and ownership as reference. Unless you are in the
inner
circle or use their stallions you will not get in. It's worse than a
lottery,
where at least you have a random chance. If they see you as a threat
in any
way, if your stallion is better than theirs which would take business
away from
them and show them up in the process, there is absolutely no way you
will get
entry. So the standard is due to no competition and set by themselves,
can
neither be true nor anything more than their own stallions. They
decide your
business. Because there is a financial interest and the judgements
subjective,
no one can be deemed impartial. Therefore this system is unsound.
AV goes against everything the EU and free democracies stand for. It
is the
reason the countryside is dead and the rural economy poor. You cannot
make
business decisions when these people decide over you, therefore many
small farms
are stopped and the countryside goes into decline. It is extremely
important
we look after the countryside but we must be given the possibility to
do so.
It's to do with freedom of choice and personal liberty.
(end of quote)
Regards,
Teresa