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PloS one2022; 17(3); e0264615; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264615

Still beyond a chance: Distribution of faults in elite show-jumping horses.

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.
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Publication Date: 2022-03-16 PubMed ID: 35294454PubMed Central: PMC8926200DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264615Google 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 aimed to decipher factors that influence the performance of show-jumping horses at elite level competitions, using data from the Western European League’s 2017/2018 season’s performance videos. The findings indicated that the likelihood of faults increased with the rank of the fence in the course and more faults occurred on fences within combinations. It was also revealed that riders with more previous competition experiences had a lower fault rate.

Study Design and Participants

  • The study utilized performance data from 144 riders and 222 horses, totaling 9114 jumping efforts over 320 obstacles.
  • Data was extracted from video records available on the FEI TV/ website. Obstacles varied, comprising of oxers, oxers with water, triple bars, verticals, verticals with water, and walls.
  • The obstacles during the first round of the competition or the “jump off” round were either single, or combinations of two to three fences in a row.

Faults and Probabilities

  • The overall rate of faults — such as a horse dropping the pole or refusing to jump — was found to be 7.85%.
  • The likelihood of a fault was discovered to increase with the rank of the fence in the course during the first round.
  • The performance data indicated that the highest chance of a fault occurring was on the vertical obstacle with water, whereas lowest was on the triple bar and wall.

Influence of Experience and Speed

  • The study found that riders who have completed more starts in previous competitions achieved a lesser fault rate.
  • In the “jump off” round, the likelihood of faults decreased with increased speed.
  • However, there was no significant connection established between the speed in the first round and “jump off” round in individual horses.

Faults in Combination Fences

  • More faults were noted on the fences within combination in both competition rounds.
  • The first fence, or second fence of the double combination seemed to pose the highest chance of faults, compared to single obstacles.

Implications and Conclusions

  • The researchers concluded that various factors, including obstacle type and rider experience, have considerable influence on show-jumping performance.
  • Some kinds of faults are not random but more likely to happen in a show-jumping course. Therefore, adopting an appropriate training focus can enhance performance and safety in competitions.

Cite This Article

APA
Ničová K, Bartošová J. (2022). Still beyond a chance: Distribution of faults in elite show-jumping horses. PLoS One, 17(3), e0264615. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264615

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Pages: e0264615

Researcher Affiliations

Ničová, Klára
  • Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czech Republic.
  • Department of Ethology and Companion Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
Bartošová, Jitka
  • Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czech Republic.
  • Department of Ethology and Companion Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Probability
  • Sports
  • Water

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. de la Cuesta-Torrado M, Velloso Alvarez A, Neira-Egea P, Cuervo-Arango J. Long-term performance of show-jumping horses and relationship with severity of ataxia and complications associated with myeloencephalopathy caused by equine herpes virus-1. J Vet Intern Med 2024 May-Jun;38(3):1799-1807.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.17070pubmed: 38609161google scholar: lookup
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