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- Title
Factors other than training that influence horse driving scores.
- Authors
Stachurska, Anna; Liss, Marta; Pawlak, Dorota
- Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyze which factors other than training, influence horse scores in single class driving events. The data concerned 40 events at 3* level, held in 10 European countries over the course of three years. Of 824 turnouts at these events, a total of 729 entries with all three competitions (Dressage, Marathon, Cones) completed were considered in the main analysis. The following scores and ranks were used: numbers of penalties in the three competitions, total number of penalties, final classification and classification index, which related the placings to the number of completed turnouts at an event. The following factors were considered: the horse sex, age and coat color as well as the country of athlete origin and the location of the events. The data were analyzed with ANOVA GLM and the significant differences between means were determined using Tukey's test. The analysis revealed that most penalties are received in the Marathon competition, with fewer in Dressage and fewest in Cones. The scores and ranks are significantly influenced by the horses' age: the oldest horses (17–21 years old) and 10–11 year-olds perform best and the youngest horses (6–7 years old) perform worst. This can be associated not only with the horses' physical development but also experience and skills. Horse sex usually does not significantly affect the scores and ranks. A connection between coat color and the performance should be confirmed in future studies. Athletes from Middle Europe achieve better results than those coming from other parts of Europe, in addition to those from outside Europe, the latter of which tending to fare poorly. The variability in the mean scores within Marathon and Cones competitions indicates differences in the course difficulty depending on the location in which the events are run. Breeders, trainers and athletes, when considering the driving scores and ranks in terms of estimation of a horse, should also take into account the horse age and the fact that difficulty of course design at different events may vary substantiy.
- Subjects
HORSE training; HORSE sports; ANALYSIS of variance; TUKEY'S test; HORSE age
- Publication
Pferdeheilkunde, 2019, Vol 35, Issue 2, p159
- ISSN
0177-7726
- Publication type
Academic Journal
- DOI
10.21836/PEM20190209