Abstracts / Journal of Veterinary Behavior 8 (2013) e1ee25 e23
the combined parameter of the range of motion of the hindlimbs, stride length and stride duration (r ¼ 0.87; P < 0.05)significantly explained the score. There was no significantcorrelation between the score and the locomotor variablesat canter. Conclusions and Practical Significance: the IMSequipment proved to be a reliable system to objectivelymeasure the quality of the locomotor performance of Frie-sian horses. Objective evaluation of gait using these mobilesystems may have the potential, to assist the jury in findinguseful variables to early select Friesian horses.
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A preliminary study into quantitative analysis of self-carriage in dressage trainingC. WHITE*, J. DILLIOTTNottingham Trent University, School of Animal, Rural andEnvironmental Sciences, Nottingham*Corresponding author: [email protected]
In any competitive sport, the measure for success is to ach-ieve a top level performance. The fastest time, longestdistance and final scores are used to decide winners butsports which determine the victor through subjectivemeans (i.e figure skating, gymnastics and dressage) remainareas of debate. Some attempts have beenmade to comparedressage judges scores with gait parameters however, therole of objective analysis for applied training purposesremains largely understudied. The aim of this study was todevelop amethod to quantitativelymeasure self-carriage ofhorses during a selected dressage movement using PegasusLimb phasing system (ETB Ltd.) Nine horses performed theBritish Dressage Novice 24 test, (2002 version) ridden andjudged as per competition regulations and data for Move-ments 7 and 14 ‘give and retake the reins over X inworkingcanter’were analysed. British Dressage defines this selectedmovement as a test of self-carriage where the horse shouldmaintain balance rhythm. Rhythm is defined as a temporalmeasurement of the footfalls within the particular gait andthe intervals between. In order to test this objectively, threevariables; speed (m/s), stride length (m) and stride duration(s) were measured and using the Pegasus GPS system toidentify geographical location, the data gathered wassectioned into three key stages of the movement; the initialstrides of the movement from a set marker towards X, thephase of the movement over X and the following strides tothe completion of the movement. Statistical analysis wascarried out using a OneWayAnova and post-hoc Bonferronitest and significant differences in stride duration (P¼ 0.013)between phases of the movement were found. When ana-lysed individually, some subjects maintained stride dura-tion (P > 0.05) but others did not. On review of judges’comments, these differences were also identified andcommented on. Interestingly however, in a number of caseswhere stridedurationwas seen tobemaintained, significantdifferences in speed (P< 0.001) between the initial stage ofthe movement and last stage were seen and significantdifferences in stride length (P< 0.001) between all stages ofthe movement were identified. This suggests there areindeed changes in tempo rather than rhythm occurredduring themovement. This preliminary study highlights thepotential role for objective tools to enhance training andeducation of judges and riders.When trying to establish thequality and “correctness” of dressage movements, subjec-tive feedback and evaluation is more often than not relied
upon. This study identifies the potential role of objectiveanalysis tools for assisting in the development and educa-tion of dressage riders, trainers and judges.
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Retrospective study of non-completion rates for theshow jumping and cross country phases of one dayBritish Eventing competitionsT. WHITAKER 1,*, E. MAY 2, H. RANDLE 1, A. MILLS 2
1Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall PL178PB, UK2Writtle College, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RR, UK*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Non-completion rates in eventing competition have beenreported up to 25% of competitors in some studies. Differ-ences in non-completion rates are likely to vary betweenlevels on completion. A greater understanding of non-completion rates is useful in developingmethodologies thatwill help both horse welfare as well as the approach ridersmay use preparing for and within competition. This studyconducted a preliminary investigation into the reasons fornon-completion by level of competition. Data from120 one-day eventing competitions were collected and non-completion in the show jumping and cross country phasewas assessed. Data were discriminated by level of compe-tition. Reasons for non-completion were categorised aselimination, withdrawal or retirement. Withdrawal isa voluntary decision taken by the rider before starting thephase,whilst retirement is adecision takenafter starting thephase; elimination is forced exclusion this can be fora variety of reasons including failure to complete or attemptan obstacle or incurring a penalty score that breachesa ceiling. 42,180 entries started competition, the overallnon-completion rate from starters was 18.91% (n ¼ 7978).Non-completion as a proportion of total starters wasdetermined by level; Intro 28.52% (n ¼ 2,303), Pre-Novice13.61% (n ¼ 2,519), Novice 18.40% (n ¼ 2,215), Intermediate24.97% (n ¼ 782) and Advanced 37.32% (n ¼ 159). Thepercentage of eliminations fell as the level of complexity ofcompetition rose from 70.1% at Intro to 17.0% at Advanced.The proportion of withdrawals rose consistently from 14.3%at Intro level to 69.5% at Advanced level 59.5%. The propor-tion of retirements rosewith level; from15.6% at Intro, 31.0%at Intermediate and 23.5% at Advanced. Eliminations are themost common reason for non completion in lower levels ofcompetition. At lower levels ridersmaycontinue to competeafter accruing high penalty scores, potentially leading toa higher proportion eliminations or retirements. The lowerproportion of eliminations in advanced levels of competi-tion is likely to reflect the increased skill and better judge-ment of riders.
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Start time and effect of order in the dressage phase ofaffiliated British Eventing (BE100 Level) competitionT. WHITAKER 1,*, H. RANDLE 1, A. MILLS 2
1Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall, PL178PB, UK2Writtle College, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RR, UK*Corresponding author: [email protected]
The dressage phase of competition is the first element ofaffiliated British Eventing competitions. Debate has taken
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