A stallion that has passed the Licensing procedure must then successfully complete a Performance Test before he can be fully registered in the Stallion Book. This test must be undertaken before the completion of the stallion's fourth year. The Committee is entitled to extend this period by up to 15 months on account of particular circumstances.

Currently the performance testing of stallions at a Performance Testing Station is not available and stallions must be performance tested overseas or achieve their criteria through open competition.

In the Performance Test, stallions are tested under the following criteria both in training and in the test itself under their usual rider and a test rider.

• Character
• Temperament
• Willingness to Work
• Overall Capacity to Work
• Rideability
• Jumping Ability - Freejumping
• Parcours
• Training
• Walk
• Trot
• Canter
• Cross Country - Gallop/Jumping

Stallions are tested over a period of 100 days for privately owned stallions and for 11 months for stallions owned by the State Stud (Germany). Hanoverian stallions must gain at least 90 points in the Performance Test whilst stallions registered with another recognised warmblood breeding association must gain 120 points to be considered to have passed the Performance Test. A stallion which in the station test for riding horse qualities achieves a result of at least 120 points in a part index or can prove particularly outstanding successes in competitive sport, can receive a bonus in the evaluation of the features of external appearance of one point in the overall evaluation.

If the stallion does not pass the Performance Test or the Performance Test option is not available, stallions may pass the standards required for full registration in the Stallion Book through competition. This may be done at any age. The stallion may be Licensed and have had this lapse or the stallion's owners may choose to present him for licensing after the achievement of the competition standards.

The required standards are five placings 1st to 3rd in open jumper classes (A & B Grade showjumping) or FEI Dressage (Prix St Georges) or three placings 1st to 3rd in a Three Day Event at Medium or Advanced Level.