Selle Français stallion testing
As a breeding organization, the Selle Français Stud Book is committed to improving the genetic quality of the Selle Français horse population. This mission is carried out in part through the selection of young stallions showing promising natural abilities for sport performance — in show jumping, eventing, and dressage. Selection begins at the age of two and includes a key milestone at the end of the third year: stallion testing
Why a Testing phase?
The purpose of the Stallion Testing is to identify individuals with particularly promising natural abilities for equestrian sports. To do so, the selected horses are brought together in a controlled and consistent environment for a 10-day evaluation period.
The Selle Français Stud Book assembles a team of experts, professional riders, and grooms to conduct this assessment. The environment is considered “homogeneous” because:
– The horses are ridden by professional riders who are unfamiliar with them;
– Flatwork and jumping sessions are supervised by three experts — Serge Cornut, Julien Mesnil, and Manuel Godin — and all horses follow the same training program over the 10 days; – All horses are stabled under identical conditions.
In addition to standardizing the environment, this format allows for multiple expert assessments and the observation of each stallion candidate’s progression. This makes it possible to obtain a precise and objective profile of each horse.
« We aim to bring each horse into a natural posture — one that frees their movement, encourages them to stretch, and helps them work with ease. From there,
they can truly develop their locomotion and show us what they’re made of. What we’re looking for are their real qualities, without tricks or artifice. »
Which horses participate in the testing?
Stallion selection begins at the age of two, with qualifying shows held in the autumn and a winter championship in December, marking the end of the 2-year-old season. Following this championship, between 20 and 30 males are granted provisional Selle Français stallion
approval for one year. These young stallions must participate in the Testing at the end of their third year in order to confirm their approval.
Selection also continues at age three, with a new series of qualifying shows held across France in the autumn — aimed at colts who were not presented or not selected at age two. Following this tour, approximately 20 to 30 individuals are chosen and invited to the Testing in early December.
A stallion approved during the February championship who does not attend the Testing (except in the case of a veterinary exemption) will lose his approval.
The Testing Brings Together 3-Year-Old Males from two pathways:
- Those approved during the December championship, who attend the Testing to confirm their approval
- The best individuals from the autumn qualifying tour, who will attempt to earn their approval during the Testing
How does the Testing work?
In early December, around 50 young males are called to the Testing, held at the Pôle Hippique de Saint-Lô in Normandy (department 50).
On the first day — also known as the “entry into Testing” — the horses go through
several stages:
Veterinary Examination
Each horse undergoes a full health check by a veterinarian to ensure they are fit to take part in the 10-day training period.
Under-Saddle Presentation
The stallions are then presented under saddle by their usual rider, both on the flat and over fences.
This session offers a first opportunity for the Testing experts — Julien Mesnil, Serge Cornut, and Manuel Godin — to observe the horses before guiding their work over the following 10 days.
Conformation Assessment
Finally, the Selle Français judges assess each horse’s conformation according to the official evaluation criteria.
After this first day of entry into Testing, the young stallions remain on site for a 10-day evaluation period.
The first days…
The first few days are dedicated to flatwork: the horses are worked in groups of three for 20 to 30 minutes each day. The sessions are tailored to each horse according to their temperament, physical condition, and individual needs.
At the end of the first week, the stallions are taken into the main arena for a session to familiarize themselves with the jumping obstacles, followed by lighter work over the weekend.
After a week…
After one week, the stallions complete a gymnastic course of five to eight fences in the main arena.
They are evaluated by a panel of Selle Français judges and international riders, and the score contributes to their final Testing evaluation.
The following day, the horses are worked lightly to allow for recovery, while the grooms begin preparing and grooming them for the final assessments.
The last two days…
Finally, during the last two days of Testing, two evaluations take place — both of which count toward the stallion’s final assessment.
First, a panel of Selle Français judges and international eventing riders evaluates each horse’s locomotion under saddle. The next day, a second panel — composed of Selle Français judges and international show jumping riders — is invited to assess the future stallions over a course of five to eight fences in the main arena.
At the end of the Testing, the Stud Book’s technical team compiles all the scores obtained by each horse. The Selle Français Approval Committee then meets to review the results and assign the young stallions to one of two categories: “Very Promising” or “Promising”.
Stallions in either category are officially approved as Selle Français stallions and are eligible for inclusion in the Young Stallion Guide.
Testimonials from testing riders :
Stallions not placed in either category are granted five breeding certificates for the upcoming season.
These horses are invited to compete in the SHF National Championship at age of 4, where they will be re-evaluated by Selle Français judges.
If they demonstrate a sufficient level of performance during their presentation, they will be granted full approval and awarded an unlimited number of breeding certificates for the following seasons.
Protocole Ostéo Articulaire Étalons 2025 / 2 et 3 ans
Résultats du Testage 2024
Résultats du Testage 2023
Résultats du Testage 2022
Résultats du Testage 2021
Discover the images of the final assessments since 2019 in pictures:
Interviews with our expert riders:
Website created with the support of Fonds Éperon
et de l'IFCE
© photos : Les Garennes
Created by l'agence PEPS
Copyright © 2021
Stud Book Selle Français
All rights reserved
Legal notices