2023 winner of The Benchmark Farm Perpetual Trophy is Grafite N Lace (Graf Top I x Samantha S/Sir Caletto) owned by Megan Paget-Brown and bred by Tammy Burgard.
This award is donated by a generous AHS member who wishes to remain anonymous, The Benchmark Farm Trophy recognizes mares that show exceptional jumping ability during their Mare Performance Test (MPT). This award is presented to the mare that achieves the highest combined score on the jumping part of the MPT in a calendar year.
"I hope that each year’s winning mare sets a new benchmark of excellence in her jumping, which is such an important attribute of our wonderful Hanoverian breed." From annonymous donor
Mares are awarded a score for “technique” and a score for “ability” during the free jumping part of the Hanoverian MPT. “Technique” refers to the form – the use of the body – the mare shows as she goes over the fences, especially the large oxer at the end of the chute. “Ability” refers to the innate talent and willingness of a mare to jump a fence of good size height and width. These two scores will be used to determine the winner(s).
