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Translational animal science2022; 6(2); txac038; doi: 10.1093/tas/txac038

An overview of international genetic evaluations of show jumping in sport horses.

Abstract: The breeding of sport horses to compete in the Olympic disciplines of show jumping, eventing, and dressage is fast becoming a global industry with the increased use of reproductive technologies, including artificial insemination and embryo transfer. Reproductive technologies have facilitated the dissemination of genetics from elite horses across multiple countries and breeds as breeders are no longer limited by location. Due to this increased level of crossbreeding, there is an increased need for estimated breeding values (EBVs) for sport horse performance that can be compared across breeds and countries. However, the implementation of across-breed or across-country genetic evaluations has been limited by the differences in each studbook's individual breeding programs and genetic evaluations. Consequently, the aim of this review was to compare the genetic evaluations for show jumping of sport horse studbooks worldwide. The top sport horse studbooks in the world according to the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses Studbook Rankings 2019 were contacted by email to request information on their current breeding programs and genetic evaluations. Twenty-six of the 51 studbooks contacted replied to this request but only 18 of these studbooks conducted their own genetic evaluations or were part of a larger genetic evaluation in their country of origin. The other eight studbooks were not involved in genetic evaluations at present but expressed an interest in the implementation of such in the future. Overall, many differences were identified among the genetic evaluations of each studbook or each country. The definition of show jumping performance differed within each evaluation and the methods and models utilized also differed. Despite some stallions and mares being registered in multiple studbooks or having progeny in multiple studbooks, these differences make comparison of EBVs across studbooks difficult. Further transparency and collaboration of sport horse studbooks with organizations such as Interstallion, will be essential to facilitate any future implementation of international genetic evaluations for show jumping performance.
© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.
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Publication Date: 2022-04-30 PubMed ID: 35529043PubMed Central: PMC9071089DOI: 10.1093/tas/txac038Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research focuses on the need for comprehensive international genetic evaluations in sport horses, especially those in showjumping events. The expanding use of reproductive technologies has facilitated global crossbreeding, necessitating the estimation of breeding values for performance across breeds and nations. The review compares genetic evaluations around the world and identifies significant differences in performance definitions, methods, and models used. The paper highlights the need for collaboration among sport horse studbooks for the successful implementation of international genetic evaluations.

Research Background and Aim

  • The universal expansion of sport horse breeding for Olympic disciplines such as show jumping, dressage, and eventing has increased the usage of reproductive technologies, enabling breeders to crossbreed elite genetic material from horses across countries and breeds.
  • As the scope of crossbreeding widens, the need for international genetic evaluations has become clear in comparing the estimated breeding values (EBVs) for sport horse performance.
  • Yet, these genetic evaluations have been hindered due to discrepancies in individual breeding programmes and genetic evaluations of each studbook.
  • The primary goal of the review was to examine genetic evaluations of sport horse studbooks worldwide and to compare those specifically related to performance in show jumping.

Research Methodology

  • The research team contacted the top sport horse studbooks in the world, as ranked by the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses Studbook Rankings 2019, to gain insight into their breeding programmes and genetic evaluations.
  • Of the 51 studbooks contacted, responses were received from 26, and only 18 of these had their own genetic evaluations or were part of a larger evaluation within their country of origin.
  • The remaining eight studbooks, although currently not conducting genetic evaluations, expressed future interest in implementation.

Findings of the Review

  • The review identified significant differences among the genetic evaluations of each studbook or country.
  • Variations were seen in definitions of show jumping performance as well as the models and methods used in evaluations.
  • Even for stallions and mares registered in multiple studbooks, these differences created difficulties in comparing estimated breeding values across studbooks.

Recommendations for Future Use of Genetic Evaluations

  • The review underlined the importance of transparency and collaboration among sport horse studbooks in order to facilitate an international genetic evaluation system for show jumping performance.
  • Such collaborative initiatives could be facilitated by organizations like Interstallion.

Cite This Article

APA
Doyle JL, Carroll CJ, Corbally AF, Fahey AG. (2022). An overview of international genetic evaluations of show jumping in sport horses. Transl Anim Sci, 6(2), txac038. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txac038

Publication

Translational animal science
ISSN: 2573-2102
NlmUniqueID: 101738705
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 6
Issue: 2
Pages: txac038

Researcher Affiliations

Doyle, Jennifer L
  • School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
Carroll, Christopher J
  • School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
Corbally, Alison F
  • School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Horse Sport Ireland, Beech House, Millennium Park, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
Fahey, Alan G
  • School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.

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