| We will be hosting in August 2010! |
American Warmblood Society conducts their inspections in an educational format, so everyone hears the comments and scores related to sport horse conformation and sport horse movement. Auditors are welcome - there is no fee to come observe!
AWS will hold an inspection here on July 15, 2011. It is open to outside horses!
Interested in bringing a horse for inspection? Email us at MysticOak@amadorca.com or call us at 209 245-6130, and provide your name and address, and we'll send out an AWS inspection entry packet and information on the inspection process, and answer any other specific questions.
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| Below are pictures from our 2008 inspection - a fun day! |
Mystic Oak Ranch Inspection
We have limited stabling available - to ensure you get a stall, reserve it ahead of time! Stabling is optional - you can leave your horse in the trailer or tied to your trailer. Stabling fees are paid directly to Mystic Oak Ranch (not to AWS). If you are coming in the night before, you MUST be in before 8:00 p.m.! We'll re-open at 6:00 a.m. the morning of the inspection.
Trailer access is easy - we have a large circular drive, and trailers will park in one of our pastures. For smaller inspections, trailers can just park in the circular drive. Don't worry about trying to get in and out of really tight spaces! We'll send out detailed directions at least twice by email the week before the inspection.
We'll probably hold the inspection in the Coverall arena - so it will be shaded. There is a round pen just outside that arena - it is hard ground, but if you need to take the edge off your horse, it is available to all who have horses at the inspection.
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| Coverall Arena |
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| The Barn |
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Frequently Asked Questions about the AWS Inspection:
Q What kind of horses can be registered and inspected?
A AWS is a performance registry, so specific bloodlines are not required. Any warm blooded horse is eligible. Pure hot bloods (Thoroughbreds and Arabians) and cold bloods (Drafts) can not be registered, but can be recorded. Warmblood does not refer to the European definition of a horse in one of the specific European regional registries, it refers to a horse that is not a hot- or cold-blood.
Q How much does it cost?
A The actual inspection is only $50! For a horse to be inspected, the owner must be an AWS member (annual membership is $50, and includes a newsletter and other nice perks), and the horse must be registered with AWS ($95 for foals, $125 for 1 year and older). There are other optional costs - including AWS awards programs, DNA testing, and optional host site fees such as stabling.
Q Who gets the money?
A Other than optional host site fees (such as stabling), all fees go to the non-profit registry to fund ongoing operations, awards, newsletters, educational programs, etc. Mystic Oak Ranch does not make money on the inspection process - we host the inspections because it is a good educational opportunity and we enjoy seeing all the horses and their owners.
Q Where is this inspection, and how do we get there?
A We are outside of Plymouth, California, about 8.5 miles south-east of Rancho Murieta Equine Complex, then 1 mile off Hwy 16, at 2623 Carbondale Road, Plymouth CA. We can provide detailed directions if you plan on attending.
Q What happens at an inspection?
A A LOT! You will present your horse (or pay a runner to present your horse) to the inspector. Your horse will be evaluated based on conformation, then on movement. The horse must be able to walk and trot in-hand on a triangle (approximately 70 feet x 70 feet x 70 feet). If you are presenting a foal, they will still be presented in-hand, but the dam may accompany the foal (and must also be in a halter or bridle). If you are presenting a 2 year old or older, they are shown in a bridle. Young horses (under 3 years) are also shown at liberty - turned loose in the arena - to further assess their movement. 3 year olds and up are only shown in hand. We have a detailed document of what happens at the inspection that we can provide to those interested in bringing a horse. That information is also available on the AWS website.
Q Is there stabling?
A There is limited stabling available, including barn stalls, pipe panel mare motel stalls, and pipe panel paddocks. Stabling fees vary depending on which type you select.
Q What about places to stay and things to do?
A We are about 7 miles from the historic town of Plymouth, in Amador County. There is a small motel and a bed & breakfast in Plymouth, as well as a 4 star restaurant and less formal dining. Plymouth is famous for its wine country - the Shenandoah Valley, which produces many award winning Zinfandels and other rhone style wines. The historic gold towns of Sutter Creek and Jackson are just 15 to 20 minutes up the road, and there are many dining and lodging choices there, as well as fun things to do, including gold mine tours, shopping, theatre, and events.
Q Can we bring dogs? Children? Friends?
A Please don't bring your dogs - this can be too disruptive to other people's horses as well as our own horses. Children are welcome as long as they are supervised at all times. Friends are welcome - in fact, AWS highly encourages outside auditors and observers to come to the inspections! There is NO FEE to come watch!
Q It is Summer, won't it be HOT?
A Odds are very good it will be hot. However, the inspection will be held in a CoverAll arena, so we'll have shade. All stabling is shaded as well, including the pipe paddocks (which are under trees). Spectators can sit along the back of the arena, which will be shaded until mid-afternoon (we should be done before then).
Q What time does the inspection start?
A The October inspection will start early afternoon, probably around 1:00 - all horses and their owners need to be present at least 30 minutes prior to start. We'll post the final start time when the inspector (from AWS) notifies us about a week prior to the inspection. There are NO assigned times to individual horses - you must be present and ready to go. We will post an order of go that morning. You'll be able to watch the rest of the inspection and learn and enjoy the process with everyone else.
Q What if I need help at the inspection?
A We will have a professional runner that you can pay to help run your horse! There will be many other people there with their own horses, so often people will pitch in and help each other - but remember, everyone has their own horses to handle, so if you know you'll need assistance, bring a friend! The more, the merrier! We'll send out several emails in the weeks preceding the inspection to let you know what kind of extra services will be available (and what their cost will be).
Q Do I need to braid my horse?
A There is no requirement you braid your horse. Generally it is easier for the inspector to evaluate the horse's neck shape if the mane is braided, or at least pulled (short and thin). If your horse has a long, thick mane, you could consider a nice French (running) braid for a neat look.
Q. How much advance notice do you need that we are coming to the inspection?
A. If you are bringing a horse, AWS generally requires all paperwork 15 days prior to the inspection. They will accept horses with less notice, but there may be a Rush Fee ($50) for shorter notice (AWS notified us they may waive this for 2010 due to the short notice on the inspection date). If you are just coming to observe, we don't need any notice at all, just show up, there is plenty of space!
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