The Thoroughbred Theory: Influence of Breed on Performance at the CCI5*-L Level of Eventing.

This research article analyzes whether the breed of a horse affects performance in high-level equestrian events. Specific attention is given to comparing Thoroughbreds versus non-Thoroughbreds involving the penalties they accrue during various competition stages, with the findings suggesting no breed-related advantage overall.

Objective of the Study

• The primary objective of this study was to investigate if horse breed influenced performance at CCI5*-L events, a top level of equestrian sport.
• The researchers specifically compared Thoroughbreds against all other horse breeds.

Methodology

• The researchers examined the results from all CCI5*-L events held between 2014 and 2024.
• Performance was measured by assessing the penalties horses accrued during three stages of the competition: dressage, cross country, and show jumping.
• The likelihood of horses completing each event stage was also assessed.
• Moreover, researchers focused on comparing the ten primary breeds used in these events.

Findings

• The findings highlighted that Thoroughbreds gathered more penalties during the dressage stage than non-Thoroughbreds.
• Among the ten primary breeds, Thoroughbreds also accrued significantly more dressage penalties than Hannoverians, Irish Sport Horses, Dutch Warmbloods, Oldenburgs, and Selle Francais.
• However, in the cross-country event, Thoroughbreds were more likely to finish without fault, meaning they performed better than non-Thoroughbreds.
• In contrast, during the show jumping stage, non-Thoroughbreds were more likely to avoid faults.
• Thoroughbreds had higher overall penalties in show jumping compared to some primary breeds like the Anglo-European Studbook, Holsteiner, Irish Sport Horse, Dutch Warmblood, Oldenburg, and Selle Francais.
• But, when considering the total penalties accumulated in all event stages, the variation between Thoroughbreds and non-Thoroughbreds was insignificant, indicating no breed could claim superiority when all phases of the competition were considered together.

Conclusion

• The findings of this study indicate that there is no specific breed-related advantage in the competition, nullifying the breed bias when selecting horses for CCI5*-L eventing.
• This suggests that both Thoroughbreds and non-Thoroughbreds stand an equal chance of success, thereby emphasizing the importance of other factors such as training, conditioning, rider skill, and horse-rider compatibility in determining eventing success.