Abstract
This study aimed to identify factors that can influence show-jumping performance during top level competitions in the Western European League (2017/2018, CSI5*). The performance data of 144 riders and 222 horses were obtained from video records (FEI TV/ website). Riders with horses achieved a total of 9114 jumping-efforts over 320 obstacles including oxers (n = 142), oxers with water (n = 15), triple bars (n = 6), verticals (n = 136), verticals with water (n = 14) and walls (n = 7). Obstacles in the first round (FR) or in jump off (JO) were standing either as single (n = 6290) or as a combination of two or three fences in a row (n = 2824). The overall fault rate (dropping the pole or refusal/run-out to jump) was 7.85%. The probability of a fault increased with the rank of the fence in the course of FR (F (1, 7649) = 5.29, P < 0.0001, GzLMM; PROC GLIMMIX, SAS). The highest probability of a fault (F (5, 7649) = 2.51, P < 0.03) in FR was found on the vertical obstacle with water (0.125 ± 0.021, LSMEAN ± standard error) while the lowest was on the triple bar (0.037 ± 0.015) and wall (0.048 ± 0.020). Riders who completed more starts in previous competitions achieved a lower fault rate (F (1, 7649) = 6.17, P < 0.02) in FR as well as in JO (F (1, 931) = 7.05, P < 0.01). The probability of faults in JO decreased with a higher speed (F (1, 931) = 6.66, P < 0.01) but there was no significant correlation between the speed in JO and FR in individual horses (r = 0.26, P < 0.01). More faults were found on the fences within combinations in both rounds (FR, JO). The highest probability of faults was found on the first fence (FR 0.095 ± 0.016; JO 0.043 ± 0.008) or second fence (JO 0.055 ± 0.020) of the double combination compared to the least probability of faults on single obstacles (FR 0.057 ± 0.007, F (5, 7649) = 5.29, P < 0.0001; JO 0.100 ± 0.027, F (1, 931) = 3.39, P < 0.04). Other tested factors did not affect show-jumping performance. Some faults are still more likely and not random in a show-jumping course, therefore, the appropriate training focus can improve performance and safety in competitions.
Highlights
This study aimed to identify factors that can influence show-jumping performance during top level competitions in the Western European League (2017/2018, CSI5*)
Competitions were of the CSI5 level, ran under the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules, held indoors and consisted of the first round and jump off round
The probability of a fault in the first round of competitions varied based on the rank of the fence within the course (F (1, 7649) = 66.68, P < 0.0001, generalized linear mixed model (GzLMM), PROC GLIMMIX, SAS); the later in the course, the higher the probability of failing on the fence
Summary
The behavioural flexibility of horses has led to a broad range of equestrian disciplines. The horse and its rider are two athletes who should work together as a pair. Still beyond a chance: Distribution of faults in elite show-jumping horses even though they differ in anatomy, movement abilities and experiences. The declared objective of horse training by Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) should be achieved such that an attentive, calm and flexible horse is working in interest and harmony with its rider [1, 2]. The task of the pair in show-jumping, the most popular equestrian discipline, is to pass the prescribed course with the lowest number of penalty points (fault rate) for the dropped poles, obstacles or run-outs with refusals and exceeding the time limit which is defined in the Jumping rules [2]. The long-term goal of the owners and breeders is to achieve a good score in various competition rankings
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