Earning Merit Reproducer (★★★★★) Status Through Offspring
Merit Reproducer (★★★★★) status recognizes a Lusitano whose offspring have demonstrated quality and performance under APSL rules. This designation is awarded by APSL, is available to mares and stallions, and is independent of Recommended status. A horse does not need to have earned Recommended (★★★★) status personally to earn Merit (★★★★★) status.
Minimum Requirement
To qualify for Merit status, a horse must have at least four (4) qualifying offspring total, across any combination of APSL-recognized disciplines. The four offspring do not need to compete in the same discipline, may qualify across different years, and are evaluated individually under APSL rules.
How Offspring Qualify
Offspring results may include recognized achievements in:
- Model & Movements — qualifying Gold and/or Silver medals earned in APSL-recognized Model & Movements competitions (as defined in the APSL Studbook Rules and applicable event requirements)
- Dressage (CD) — results meeting APSL placement and score thresholds in recognized competitions
- Working Equitation (ET) — championship-level results meeting placement requirements and minimum average scores (> 65%)
- Other APSL-Recognized Sports — qualifying results as defined in the Studbook Rules
Why Merit Takes Time
Merit status reflects proven genetic impact, demonstrated through multiple offspring, documented competitive success, and consistency over time. This ensures the designation reflects reliable breeding value, not isolated success.
USLA’s Role
USLA supports Merit recognition by encouraging participation in qualifying competitions, helping breeders track offspring results, and assisting with APSL submission and documentation. Contact USLA if you would like to apply for one of these awards!