Because the Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar International is the registry we deal with, this explanation will be based upon their rules. However, any of the German and European Registries, also called Verbands, will be very similar in requirements and regulations. There are two American Registries who also have the name Warmblood in their titles.  These registries are not "connected" to a German Verband and in fact register horses with no Warmblood parentage whatsoever. While we would love to see an American Registry based on true Warmblood horses, that has yet to happen. Additionally, new registries spring up almost daily to register crossbred horses of almost any combination. But this does not make these new "breeds" legitimate Sport Horses and they are certainly not Warmbloods. Cross breeding in the Warmbloods is strictly overseen and only purebred Thoroughbreds, Arabian and Shagya horses of the proper type are introduced into the Stud Books. The breeding goals for breeding Warmblood Horses should be.. NOBLE, LARGE FRAMED AND A CORRECT HORSE WITH DYNAMIC, SPACIOUS AND ELASTIC MOVEMENT.  WELL SUITED FOR DRESSAGE, HUNTER CLASSES, SHOW JUMPING OR EVENTING BECAUSE OF ITS TEMPERAMENT, CHARACTER AND RIDEABILITY.

  Warmblood horses are placed into one of the following Stud Books at a Keuring. A Keuring is an inspection of breeding stock and foals held in various locations across Europe and North America. The Inspectors are appointed by the "parent" Verband in Europe.

  STUD BOOK 1A is for stallions that have received a satisfactory score  at their Keuring AND have fulfilled Performance Requirements. Performance requirements are successful completion of the 100 day test or successful show ring results in Dressage, Eventing, Jumping. I believe in the US that winning in the Hunter ring can be used to satisfy performance requirements as well. Before a stallion can be considered for Stud Book 1 he must meet pedigree requirements as well.  Pedigree must be 5 generations of Approved Warmblood, Thoroughbred, Arabian, or Shagya horses.

   STUD BOOK 1B is for stallions who have received a satisfactory score at their Keuring.  These stallions then have to fulfill the performance requirements within a set amount of time to gain their Stud Book 1A status.  Pedigree requirements are the same as Book 1. If they are unable to fulfill  the performance requirements they are moved into........

   STUD BOOK II is for stallions who are unable to satisfy the performance and/or pedigree requirements. These stallions are recorded (registered) according to EU rules but are not considered Approved. Foals sired by these stallions are branded with a half brand and issued a certificate of pedigree. Stallion sons of Stud Book II stallions are not allowed to be presented for Breeding Approval.  Daughters will be placed into the Pre Mare Book II.

    MAIN MARE BOOK is for mares who receive a satisfactory Keuring Score and meet Breed Type and Pedigree requirements. Pedigree requirements for Main book mares are four generations of Approved parentage.

    MARE BOOK , same requirement as Main Mare Book, except a three generation pedigree will be acceptable.

    PRE-MARE BOOK, same requirements as above except the sire and the sire of the dam must be stallions who are registered or eligible for registration into Stud Book 1. Foals from these mares will receive a half brand.

    PRE MARE BOOK II for mares sired by STUD BOOK II stallions,  or mares who meet the Breed Type but not the pedigree requirements, or mares with no pedigree but who receive a conformation score eligible for Mare Book. Foals from these mares will receive a half brand.

What does this all mean? Knowing where a horse comes from should help you make an informed decision for breeding your mare or buying a youngster.  Producing horses from Approved families does "load the dice" in that horses favor.  With all the unwanted horses produced we feel it is our responsibility to try (and to help others) to produce the best horse possible.