There are several reasons why a mare owner would want to have a mare performance tested . One is to obtain a performance record to use as a tool in making breeding decisions; another is so the mare can attain her Premium Mare status. Another reason for testing is to enable certain mares to advance to the Main Studbook. A mare with an eligible pedigree that attains a score of eight (8) or better on the jumping portion of the performance test may be entered into the Jumper Breeding Program. Additionally, in 2009 the AHS board of directors approved a modification to the scoring system whereby a mare that meets the other requirements for Premium eligibility but does not score an overall 7.0 on inspection (42 points) or a non-Hanoverian mare that does not obtain the necessary overall 7.0 or better for entry into the studbooks may have her free jumping score added to the overall inspection score with the resulting total divided by 7 (instead of 6). If this new total is 7.0 or better that result would count towards Premium eligibility (in the case of eligible Hanoverian mares) or Main Studbook acceptance (in the case of non-Hanoverian mares).
Performance Record – All mare owners are encouraged to test their mares as proof of their rideability and athletic ability. It is also recommended that dams of all stallion prospects have passed the Mare Performance Test.
Premium Mare Status (formerly "Elite") – A mare must meet all of the following requirements to attain Premium Mare (PM) status:
- must be in the AHS Main Studbook with an inspection score of 7 or higher
- mare is out of an AHS Main Studbook dam
- must perform and pass the Mare Performance Test (MPT)
- mare produces an AHS registered foal to acheive Full premium status.
Studbook Upgrade – The Mare Performance Test is an avenue for Studbook acceptance of registered Thoroughbred, Arabian and Anglo-Arabian mares that score an overall seven (7) or above on inspection but don’t receive a seven (7) or more for the trot. If these mares meet the AHS Mare Performance Test criteria as prescribed for Premium Mare status they are eligible for entry in the AHS Studbook. For upgrading to the AHS Main Studbook, a registered Thoroughbred, Arabian or Anglo-Arabian mare entered into the AHS Studbook with an overall score of seven (7) with no subscore below five (5), including a subscore of seven (7) for impulsion and elasticity (the trot), must meet the AHS Mare Performance Test criteria as prescribed for Premium Mares. This means completing the MPT with an overall score of 7.0 or better (at least 21 points) or with an 8 and two 6s (20 points) or through provision of scores in competition.