PERCHERON HORSE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INC. ABN 34 065 797 935 BY-LAWS General 1. The By-Laws detailed herein have been raised to complement the Rules and to provide for the effective management and administration of the Percheron Horse Breeders Association of Australia Inc. (PHBAA Inc.). The process for the creation of an item for inclusion as a By-Law firstly requires the mater to be approved as provisional by the Committee (1) and as such included in the By-Laws. The provisional By-Law is then to be placed before the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) for either approval or rejection. 2. By-Law (Provisional) is marked as such in the By-Laws until such time that approval by the Ordinary Members is given at AGM. Structure 3. The By-Laws are published under the Headings; Standards of Excellence in Part 1, Administration in Part 2, Registration of Horses in Part 3, Presentation of Horses and Handlers at Shows in Part 4 and General Miscellaneous Matters in Part 5. Contents 4. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 - Standards of Excellence Administration Stud Book Administration Presentation of Horses & Handlers for Showing In Hand and In Harness Part 5 - General Miscellaneous Matters By-Law Page 101 201 301 401 2 5 7 12 501 16 Note: 1. Or has been approved previously or is outlined in the Rules of the PHBAA Inc. -2PART 1 STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE (Provisional) Breed Standard. 101. The Breed Standard accepted by the Association is as outlined in the following paragraphs. This standard has been compiled from the book How to Select Percherons, Cook & Gonmley published by Percheron Horse Association of America and from Stud Book of Percherons in Australia, Vol.3, Elwyn Park. General. 102. The Percheron is essentially a heavy “cold-blood” horse, possessing great muscular development and ample bone of good quality, combined with style and activity, giving a general impression of refinement, balance and power. The coat should be fine, short and lustrous. The Head. 103. The head should be of medium size, and show quality with great bone definition, have a deep cheek and relatively fine muzzle showing an overall wedge shape, fairly broad between the eyes with an alert, pointed ear of medium size and not overly long from eye to nose, and lustrous coat. The eye should be large and kind. The vital strength of an animal is reflected in the eye. The jaw should be clean cut and never unduly heavy. The stallion should have a bolder more masculine appearance. Slope of Shoulder. 104. A slope of about 45deg. is required for the horse to lift its head naturally. A shoulder that is too upright doesn’t allow this and restricts foreleg movement and holds for a rough jolting pace. Slope of Pasterns. 105. The pastern that is fairly long and slopes at about 55deg. is one that usually stays sound longer because it has more spring in the stride. Pastern and hoof should be at the same angle. Smoothness of the pastern is as important as slope and length. Rough pasterns may indicate the presence of sidebone. Long sloping hind pasterns not only makes for soundness but also better action, however, hind pasterns are always more upright than the front pasterns. When short and straight the hind pastern is more likely to become unsound than one with more length and with a 45deg. angle slope. Amount of Bone. 106. Percherons must have plenty of bone and it is of utmost importance in stallions. The cannon should be comparatively short but must appear broad as a result of the carpus (knee) and fetlock being wide. Lack of bone is a serious defect. -3The Back. 107. A relative short straight back is the optimum, coupled with a strong smooth loin. The long back is associated with weakness, however, strength and top line muscling is a more important indicator of strength than absolute length. Depth of Body & Leg Length. 108. The horse should be as deep from the top of the withers to the base of its chestline as from this point to the ground. The Croup. 109. The croup should be long and fairly level with a well muscled hip. Set of Hocks. 110. The hocks should be held relatively close together, both at the walk and the trot, as well as when standing and cannons must be parallel and more up and down like a pair of pistons with no sideways travel. Set of Legs. 111. The hind legs should be directly beneath the horse. Legs should not be wide apart at each corner. The hind feet should point slightly out so that there is no interference of belly or stifle. Front feet should move in a direct line without excessive paddling or plaiting. The Feet. 112. A large round hard black horn foot, with a minimum of white is required. It should be moderately deep at the heel with a good frog. A shallow frog usually goes with a narrow heel. The lack of size seems to go with lameness, side bones and ring bones. All four feet must be in a true line beneath the body without swingout of line (paddling). Toe out is likely to interfere and a pigeon toed horse frequently develops side bones on the outside corners. The front and hind feet should be sufficiently far apart to keep from striking either at the walk or trot. Depth of Chest. 113. A wide deep chest is essential. This gives greater lung and heart capacity. However, shoulder should fit in smoothly with the rest of the body and should not stand out or forward at the corners. A narrow chest in a Percheron is as serious defect as a hollow chest in a human. Colour. 114. Colour of the breed is grey or black, with a minimum of white, especially on the lower leg and feet. The colour chestnut occasionally appears when two animals carrying this colour are joined. Stallions of colour, other than grey or black, are not eligible for entry into the Stud Book. -4The Body. 115. The neck should be strong with good length of rein, and a full arched crest in stallions. The chest should be with deep well laidback shoulder. The back should be strong and short; wide ribs and be deep, at the flanks; hind quarters of good width and croup long from hip to tail; avoiding any suggestion of a goose rump. Action. 116. Action is the essence of the Percheron. The walk is to be a long aggressive smooth and true stride. This shows determination and willingness. All joints should flex adequately; the hocks must be kept well together and under control and carried so that the cannons travel up and down parallel. The feet should be picked up with a reasonable degree of snap, carried forward in a straight line and then placed squarely on the ground. Action at the trot should show length, forwardness, trueness and smoothness of stride that is characteristic of efficiency. The hind feet should track up well and land on or in front of the hoof print. Temperament. 117. Kind and docile with intelligent alterness and animated spirit, showing no sign of sluggishness or dullness. The Percheron has the ability to work and maintain condition because of its strong constitution and good temperament, which denotes an almost complete lack of nervous tension. -5PART 2 ADMINISTRATION Forms. 201. Forms for the administrative management of the Association are attached as: a. Membership Application as Annex A b. Annual Subscription Tax Invoice as Annex B c. Annual Subscription Reminder Notice as Annex C d. Website – Application: Notice for Website as Annex D e. Website – Application: For Sale/Wanted Notice as Annex E f. Form of Proxy as Annex F g. Nomination for Committee as Annex G Subscriptions. 202. Fees & Charges for Annual subscriptions are set by Committee and are currently: a. Ordinary Member $80.00 b. Associate Member $40.00 Fees. 203. Fees for the administration of Stud Book matters are as follows: a. Stallion Service Certificate Book $10.00 b. Registration of Stud Prefix $20.00 c. Registration: (1) Mares & Geldings $40.00 (2) Colts $40.00 (3) Stallions (Colt recorded) $60.00 (4) Stallions $100.00 (5) Late registration penalty: (a) Stallions $200.00 (b) Others $40.00 d. Transfer i) Member $20.00 ii) Member – multiple# $10.00 iii) Non Member $50.00 e. Replacement Certificate $30.00 f. Application for DNA Typing $100.00 g. Research Fee $100.00 # Two or more transfers received from a Member at the same time 204. Sale of Horses. It is strongly recommended that as a receipt for the sale/purchase of a horse is not proof of ownership, that a Bill of Sale be requested on purchase or issued on a sale. This then provides adequate proof of ownership and protection to the seller. An example Bill of Sale is at Annex H to this part. -6Annexes: A B C D E F G H Membership Application Membership Annual Subscription – Tax Invoice Reminder Annual Subscription Application: Notice for website and Newsletter Article Application: For Sale Notice for website Appointment of Proxy Nomination Form Example: Equine Bill of Sale -7PART 3 STUD BOOK ADMINISTRATION Routine Registration. 301. The Percheron Horse Breeders Association of Australia Inc’s. prime objective is to record the breeding of Percheron horses bred by its current financial members. Pedigree data is also made available to interested persons. Horses imported and registered by the French, British, American and Canadian Percheron Horse breed societies are recognized by this Association and are automatically accepted by the PHBAA on the provision of registration and importation papers to the Registrar. A PHBAA registration number will be issued accordingly. 302. Stud Book Progeny of Percheron horses registered with the PHBAA are registered routinely for financial members with the provision of a stallion service certificate, markings and brands, tattoo etc. to the Registrar within 24 months. Stud Book colt foals may receive a foal registration. Percheron Warmbloods. 303. Percheron warmblood stock, a maximum of 50% Percheron content in combination with Thoroughbred, Arabian or Anglo Arabian horse breed(s) will be recorded allowing entry into public competition as required. At least one parent of Percheron Warmblood stock must be owned and registered by a financial member of the PHBAA and the Registrar provided with a service certificate issued by the stallion owner or provided for verification by the PHBAA. Percheron Sporthorse. 304. A maximum of 50% Percheron combined with any riding/competition horse type. A photo is required to support the application. Applications to be referred to the Committee: 305. Applications not accompanied by a stallion service certificate. Stallion service certificates signed by a person not a current financial member or has never been a member of the PHBAA. Progeny of horses owned by persons outside the PHBAA membership including unfinancial membership. Stud book bred horses sold on as unregistered. Duties of the PHBAA Committee. 306. To preserve the integrity of our Stud Book. Protect the interests of our valued membership. Facilitate the breeding of genuine quality Percheron horses. The preservation of bloodlines retrieved from oblivion by informed buyers. -8Annual Returns. 307. Annual returns, Stallion and Mare, are required to be submitted to the Registrar by 31 July by all members who are conducting breeding activities. See Annex E & F to this Part. Application Deficient Specified Documentation. 308. If the seller and or purchaser can provide sales documents statutory declaration material or other proof of breeding then the Committee can make a decision on the evidence made available and obtained independently from experts on the breed. Where a registration or DNA baseline is available horses may be considered on the provision of evidence which may include further DNA testing conducted at the request of the PHBAA, with samples taken by an approved veterinary officer with the registration applicant funding testing expenses. If an element of doubt exists the Committee retains the right to either reject the application until further specified details can be provided or look to accepting the horse(s) as grade animals with nominated grade according to the discretion of the Committee on presentation of the horse(s) to at least three Committee members including the President or nominee. Presentation of progeny and siblings may also be relevant if available. DNA testing may be required to establish the relationship between horses. Research Costs. 309. It follows that the purchase price of stock should take into consideration the expense of establishing the credentials of horses bred outside the PHBAA membership. It should be noted that the PHBAA has the difficult duty of protecting their Stud Book from unsubstantiated stock while retaining the flexibility to retrieve valued bloodlines allowed to drift away through a lapse in paperwork. Again the costs incurred by the PHBAA need to be met by the presentation of a Research Fee or where appropriate a contribution towards recovery of outstanding membership subscriptionss. Again the PHBAA Committee will judge the situation on a case by case basis and cannot be proscriptive. Unfinancial Membership. 310. Where horses are bred by persons whose membership is not financial, horses meeting the DNA requirements may be accepted on the provision of outstanding membership subscriptions being paid by either the seller or new owner given that the parents are registered with the PHBAA at an earlier date and are made available for DNA testing if required. Again if any anomalies exist then the Committee may look to classification on inspection of the horse(s) or rejecting the application for Stud Book registration. This does not eliminate the use of unsubstantiated Percheron types free of heritable faults being valued in an upgrading program a significant option maintained to retain thrift in the breed while respecting the breed standards set. -9Other Association’s Registrations. 311. If horses are registered with breed associations other than the PHBAA in Australia the application may be considered on the furnishing of a comprehensive pedigree preferably extending back to imported stock where applicable. This Association does not automatically recognize stock registered by the Percheron Association of Australia as of June 2000. If parents were registered by the PHBAA and relationship established by DNA, sales documents etc. then or the presentation of a ‘research fee’ at the discretion of the Committee, horses may be registered at a level to be determined by the Committee of the PHBAA. Culled Horses. 312. Stud book bred stock sold as being unregistered or considered sub-standard types by the breeder may be sold on. The purchaser then may approach the PHBAA to register the horse(s). Where applicable the breeder will be consulted on the issue. The breeders wishes will be upheld till examination of the horse(s) for inherited faults identified by veterinary officer(s) nominated by the PHBAA and at the expense of the applicant. Serious temperament faults may be also considered in addition to physical faults. Percheron owners are encouraged to be aware of inherited faults and be responsible for their exclusion from stud book stock on a voluntary basis for the long term credibility and thrift of the breed. If breed thrift can be maintained then enthusiasts should be always able to access quality substitute stock. Other Coloured Animals. 313. Horses of a colour non grey, black or chestnut of known parents may also attract attention of the Committee and are likely to be down graded at least one grade. Registration Prerequisites. 314. Only Members of the PHBAA Inc. may register horses with the Association. Registration will only be effected conditional upon: a. Branding. See Rule 39. b. The Stud Prefix (Annex G) approved by the Association forms part of the horses’ name. c. Registration must be effected before the animal is 24 months from foaling. Application received after this time attracts a penalty fee. d. A Stallion Service Certificate (Annex F) must accompany the Application for Registration (see Annex A to this Part). e. A Percheron Stallion must be DNA typed before progeny can be registered. Foal Recording 315. The Registrar is to be notified of the birth of a foal within six months of the birth (see Annex B). -10Colt Registration 316. Colt registration may be effected by using the form Application for Registration (Annex A). See Part 2, Fees & Charges. Stallion Registration 317. Application for registration of a stallion must be accompanied by a Veterinarian Certificate of soundness (Annex C). DNA Typing 318. Applications for DNA Typing (See 301e above) should be lodged, together with the appropriate fee and hair follicle sample kit, with the Registrar. To obtain the sample kit firstly contact the Registrar. Communication regarding DNA Typing is only to be through the Registrar. The application is at Annex D to this part. Transfer of Horses 319. As required by Rule 45(a) on sale of an animal the Registration Certificate is to be returned to the Secretary together with the name and address of the new owner. An Application for Transfer of Ownership form is attached as Annex E to this Part. It should be noted that the Rules do not require a purchaser to be a member to have a transfer effected and to receive registration certificates. Pedigree Protests 320. A formal protest may be lodged against the classification of any animal listed in the Stud Book or its Appendix. The protest must be in writing and accompanied by a fee of $100 which is to fund the cost of DNA typing. In the event that the protest is upheld the fee is to be reimbursed. Annexes: A. B. C. D. E. F. G. Application for Registration Notification of Foaling Certificate of Stallion Soundness Application for DNA Typing of Horses Application for Transfer of Ownership Stallion Service Certificate Stud Prefix Registration Note: It should be recognized that the PHBAA is not about the formation of an exclusive club for the established membership. The PHBAA is intent on protecting the prime interests and prosperous future of the Percheron Horse not only in Australia but Internationally. The PHBAA is intent on looking after the interests of the loyal and dedicated membership working to preserve and protect the Percheron from uncommitted dealers in horses. -11- Stud Book & Appendix Registered Numbers 321. Stud Book. Registered Numbers appear in numerical order preceded by a letter: A. F. E. D. 322. Pure Bred 31/32 15/16 7/8 = = = = 100% 96.67% 93.75% 87.5% 5th cross 4th cross 3rd cross (Mare only) Appendix R. Recorded horses less than 50% Percheron content or any mare of appropriate breed to be used for Cross Breeding or to commence a Grading-Up Program where the owner desires to record the name as a “Base Mare”. B. ½ - 50% First Cross. Percheron Horses are derived from crossing an A. (100%) Registered Percheron with an animal of another breed, or any derivative of two cross bred Percheron parents, resulting in progeny, to obtain 50% Percheron. C. ¾ = 75% Second Cross. Percheron Horses are derived from crossing an A. (100%) Registered Percheron with a B. ½ (50%) Registered Percheron, or the derivative of two cross bred Percherons, as above. D. 7/8 = 87.5% Third Cross. Percheron horses are derived from crossing an A (100%) Registered Percheron with a C. ¾ (75%) Registered Percheron. At this point D. Registered Mares are entered in the STUD BOOK above and are eligible to be shown as Pure Bred. To advance in a Grading-Up Program, one parent must be A. Registered (100%). The content of this Part has been substantially contributed by Ms.Noeline Franklin and Ms.Helen Lennard. -12PART 4 PRESENTAITON OF HORSES & HANDLERS FOR SHOWING IN HAND AND IN HARNESS An excellent reference guide is Edward Hard’t – Care and Showing of the Heavy Horse. In Hand. 401. Preparation and presentation are the key elements in showing. The matters outlined in this Part are not mandatory for Members but are presented as a guide by Members with vast experience in showing. Firstly, always ensure that the requirements of the Show schedule are studied and met before and while in the show ring. Dress. 402. Dress presentation for the show ring must be clean and neat. If not wearing formal or informal riding attire, a hot or cap (at least) with the hair contained is required. A jacket/coat or vest must be worn with suitable trousers or/slacks are needed. Horses 403. General. Horses must be clean and dry with manes and tails braided – a mane roll (in the case of mature pure breds) with an odd number of standards for stallions, i.e; seven or nine. A roller of choice and bridle and side rein on the off-side which will keep the horse moving straight. The bridle is correctly fitted when two fingers are placed between the nasal bone and top of the nose band – two fingers placed between the base of the ear and top of brow band – four fingers between the jaw and throat latch and two fingers between the jaw and back of nose band. A stallion bar is optional and should only be used by an experienced handler as they have been known to injure the horse if incorrectly used. The tail should be braided in a polo tail or plaited and braided at the top and brushed out. The hocks should be clearly visible to the judge. 404. Mares and Geldings. To have bridles – fitted as above. Juveniles, if not required to be bitted, should have clean well fitted headstalls and may have the tail plaited into a polo tail or left free and they need not be shod. Foals must be well handled, able to complete the workout, i.e; trot and stop on command, and be safe to handle. 405. Entry Numbers. Remember to put the entry number on the horse if applicable. Either in a commercial holder or tied with clean tape. 406. Plaiting. Manes and tails are plaited to show the conformation of the neck and hocks. There are several appropriate styles. 407. Docked Tails. It is illegal to dock tails in Australia, i.e; since 2004. Horses foaled after that date will not be judged unless it is support by a veterinary certificate, or having been imported from a country that allows docking. -13408. Hooves. Do not blacken hooves – Percherons are renowned for feet of “Hard Blue Horn” – use oil or clear lacquer, but oil is better for the hooves. In the Ring 409. Remember, you and your horse (therefore the breed) are on display from the moment you enter the ring. Even if you do have to wait about, do not let the horse eat (the mane roll will loosen and look straggly), rest a foot or generally slouch about. When requested to enter the ring, good policy is to be among the first competitors to enter, particularly in big classes. First impressions are lasting. Proceed as instructed or proceed anti-clockwise around the ring keeping at least one horse length (approx. 2.4m) between horses and if a slow moving horse is in front of you, leaving plenty of room, passing on the off side. 410. Line Up. When called into line up, (if you are the first in), pay particular attention to instructions as to where to stand. If you are second or further down the line proceed into the ring behind and to the right of the line of other competitors. Never pass between a judge and the front of the line and never enter and stand on the left of the first horse called in. The judge usually checks formation and soundness. Examines legs and feet and sometimes teeth. 411. The Workout. When asked to workout, do exactly as instructed, but remember to move well out and when turning to return to the judge, take the horse to the right (the judge wants to see the horse in profile – not you in front of the near shoulder traversing to the left). This is also for your safety. When returning to the line, proceed to the right of and behind the line of horses into your original place, or to where indicated by the steward if your position in line has been altered. If asked to trot back, try to start the trot on the turn, its easer than producing it on a straight line. Sometimes it is appropriate and of advantage to stand the horse up, four square, alert and at attention, in profile to the judge at the end of the walkout, standing in front of it, then returning to the near side before proceeding at the trot. On returning to the judge from the trot out stand the horse up and then return to your position by moving to your right and then to the rear of the lineup. Gain your position from the rear. On returning to the judge from the trot out stand the horse up and then return to your position by moving to your right and then to the rear of the lineup. Gain your position from the rear. 412. Unsoundness. Any true unsoundness should be judged very critically, e.g; Spavin (bog or bone), effusion in any other joint, parrot mouth, side bone, cryptorchid, and lameness. Horses possessing any of these faults will be put at the end of the line or not judged. Other abnormalities, even if far more noticeable, should not be judged as harshly if they do not effect soundness, e.g; capped hocks, splints, gait abnormalities (paddling/plaiting), roach back, ewe neck, low tail set, lack of condition or muscling and blemishes (scars or boney lumps). Horses should then be judged on their perceived adherence to the ideal type as per the breed standard. -14413. Temperament. Temperament is very important and needs to be considered with some allowance for atmosphere and/or high spirits, especially in younger less experienced stock. The judge must be able to safety examine all there is of a horse. Horses that become free of their handler or leave the ring once judging has commenced should not be judged. Part Bred Horses – Percheron Warmbloods & Sports Horses 414. Horses registered as such are performance horses, and therefore should be shown in a manner that reflects this. The mane and forelock should be plaited in a manner that best suits the horse (hack plaits or mane roll). The tail may be plaited to match the mane or may be left free with the top 200-250mm of hair shaved close to the dock or plaited, the bottom of the tail may be left natural or maybe neatly squared off to length which best suits the horses individual conformation (usually somewhere between the hock joint and the fetlock). Long hairs along the cheeks and jawline should be removed, and ears should have long protruding hairs, neatly shortened to level with or just inside the ear rim. And the legs should be trimmed. Handlers attire is to be as for Section 402. Harness 415. General. Some shows require a groom in all driven classes and this is definitely advisable where ever possible. When driving pairs and teams, there should be at least one groom per row of horses. Horses are to be shown as either medium or heavy draught throughout any one show. In most regional shows classes are combined. 416. Turnout classes. Turnout classes are scored mostly on the gear; harness/type, condition, cleanliness and appropriateness for the vehicle. Vehicle – cleanliness – condition, load, e.g; if commercial, needs are – receipt book, correct money and signage. All vehicles should carry water buckets, nose bags with appropriate feed, halters, wheel strap or chain, wheel spanner and lights (these need to have kerosene and wax matches). Horses – appropriate to vehicle and ability to do the workout, in particular fanning and backing for trade/delivery turnouts. Trade/delivery turnout horses should be shod. Drivers and grooms must be dressed appropriately and not have phones, digital watches, plastic water bottles, modern jewellery or anything not pertaining to the period of the turnout. 417. Harness classes. Horse(s) in harness classes have a larger emphasis on the workout and education and responsiveness of the horse(s). Care must be taken to exactly follow the judges instructions about the workout. The horses may also be judged on their gaits and ability to perform. Agricultural Implements 418. General. Implements should be in working order and the driver able to describe the applications and uses and demonstrate these if so asked. It is helpful to know the age and history of the implement. Harness should be appropriate to the implement. The use -15- of breeching is an example of this and also chains rather than leather traces. Some tasks are better suited to rope lines rather than leather reins. If a wheeled implement has no means of breaking, a slide should be towed behind it to prevent overrunning into the horse(s). If the class is an agricultural “turnout” more ornamental harness and more formal driver’s attire is required. Sometimes classes are divided into above-ground implements such as mowers, harvesters and rakes and in-ground implements, such as ploughs, scufflers and renovators. Decorated Classes 419. Recently, at shows in Queensland the Decorated Class has been judged as a fancy dress class. It was originally judged as a led class, based on decoration of the harness with ornamentation in brass, chrome, flowers and crafted decorations. Conclusion 420. Finally, promptness is important, but at shows with more than one ring, a delay in one ring may cause a domino effect. When problems arise, try to advise the organization as soon as possible and do your best. It is up to the steward and judge as to whether they will allow horses to enter the class after judging has commenced. Remember even when you are washing, grooming, plaiting, harnessing or leading a horse you are on display. This may be the first time people have seen these things so be prepared to show your knowledge and experience of how and why these traditional activities have become such an import part of our heritage. This section was prepared by Mrs. Elwyn Park, Ms. Christine Perry and Ms. Helen Perry. -16PART 5 GENERAL MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS To be issued.