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Dressage scoring patterns at selected British Eventing novice events

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

TC Whitaker  and
J Hill
TC Whitaker*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Applied Science, Writtle College, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3RR, UK
J Hill
Affiliation:
Institute of Land and Food Resources, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
*
*Tim.Whitaker@writtle.ac.uk
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Abstract

Subjective bias by judges within the dressage phase of eventing competition is problematic if correct evaluation of horse and rider performance is to be undertaken. The present study examines dressage penalty scoring (penalty scores are awarded for completion of a pre-set series of dressage movements) within a population of novice event horses (n = 2471). Between May and June 2003, 22 novice events within the UK were analysed, and at each event up to six competitions or sections (at the same competitive level) were run. The whole population data structure was normal in distribution, Pearson's skewness 0.314 (Kolmogorov–Smirnov Z = 1.855, P>0.05 from zero) and kurtosis at 0.425. The mean score recorded for the whole population was 37.82 penalty points (standard deviation = 5.65 and standard error = 0.11). A number of effects were observed within the population. Between-events effects were observed in three of the 22 events studied (P<0.01). Of those events running three or more sections (n = 16), within-event effects were observed for 10 events as differences (P<0.01) in mean scoring patterns between sections. All events running two sections (n = 4) were observed to exhibit differences (P<0.02) in mean scores. Differences (P>0.01) between the dressage test used at events were determined using post hoc Bonferroni tests. However, these differences were not found to have a confounding effect on the between-event observations. The study indicates that additional methodologies need to be implemented to ensure that accurate and impartial evaluation of event horses is conducted.

Keywords

eventingdressagescoring patternsbias
Type
Research Article
Information
Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology , Volume 2 , Issue 2 , May 2005 , pp. 97 - 104
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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