Pathways to Recognition in the Lusitano Studbook: Recommended & Merit Status
The US Lusitano Association (USLA) is a sister association of the Associação Portuguesa de Criadores do Cavalo Puro-Sangue Lusitano (APSL). USLA assists Lusitano breeders and owners in the United States and Canada by supporting access to APSL-recognized evaluations and competitions, and by facilitating the documentation required for qualified Lusitanos to be recognized as Recommended or Merit studhorses or mares within the Lusitano Studbook.
Within the APSL Studbook, two important forms of recognition exist:
- Recommended Reproducer (★★★★) — recognition of the individual horse
- Merit Reproducer (★★★★★) — recognition of proven breeding impact through offspring
Both distinctions are available to mares and stallions, awarded by APSL, and supported and facilitated by USLA for horses based in North America.
Two Types of Recognition
Recommended Reproducer (★★★★)
Recognizes a horse’s own quality, demonstrated through morphology and movement or sport performance in APSL-recognized disciplines.
Merit Reproducer (★★★★★)
Recognizes a horse’s genetic contribution, demonstrated through a minimum of four (4) qualifying offspring. A horse does not need to earn Recommended status in order to earn Merit status.
Comparison Table: Recommended vs Merit
| Pathway | What Is Evaluated | Recommended Reproducer (★★★★) | Merit Reproducer (★★★★★) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model & Movements (M&M) | Morphology and quality of movement | Gold and/or Silver medals earned in APSL-recognized Model & Movements competitions (per the APSL Studbook Rules and the event’s class structure and requirements). | Offspring results in Model & Movements may count toward Merit qualification when the offspring earns qualifying Gold and/or Silver medals in APSL-recognized competitions under the Studbook Rules. |
| Dressage (CD) | Sport performance |
National: Top 5 classification; 6 times over ≥ 2 years; avg. > 70% (National); avg. > 75% (International FEI Young Horse). International: Top 5 classification on 3 occasions; FEI Young Horse (avg. > 75%) or St. Georges / Grand Prix at 3 different CDIs (avg. > 70%). |
Offspring results in Dressage may count toward Merit qualification. |
| Working Equitation (ET) | Functional performance and versatility |
National: Top 3 classification; National Championship Trials; Advanced / Masters level; 3 times in the same year; avg. > 65%; across 2 different years. International: Top quartile classification; European or World Championships; avg. > 65%. |
Offspring results in Working Equitation may count toward Merit qualification. |
| Other APSL-Recognized Sports | Sport performance | Qualifying results under APSL rules. | Offspring results in other APSL-recognized sports may count toward Merit qualification. |
| Minimum Offspring Required | Not applicable | At least four (4) qualifying offspring total, across any combination of APSL-recognized disciplines. | |
| Who Can Earn It | Mares and Stallions | Mares and Stallions | |
| What It Proves | Individual quality and performance | Proven genetic impact through offspring | |
| Prerequisite Status | Recommended (★★★★) is not required | ||
| Who Awards It | APSL | APSL | |
| USLA Role | Supports access to qualifying events and submission | Supports tracking, documentation, and submission of offspring results |
Model & Movements in the United States
USLA held its first Model & Movements competition in 2024 in Ocala, Florida, marking an important milestone in expanding APSL-aligned evaluation opportunities in North America.
USLA’s goal is to host additional Model & Movements competitions at multiple locations, providing broader access to APSL-recognized evaluation and a practical pathway toward Recommended status while promoting quality Lusitanos bred and based in the U.S. and Canada.