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A study of scoring patterns at national level eventing competitions in the UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

TC Whitaker*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Writtle College, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RR, UK
J Hill
Affiliation:
Institute of Land and Food Resources, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Abstract

Eventing is a three-phased discipline with a stratified progressive performance structure. Sample data (10%) were analysed from all horses competing within the UK (n = 53 890) during 2003 at all five levels of competition (intro, pre-novice, novice, intermediate, advanced). Five performance penalty score contributors were examined (dressage score, show jumping time faults, show jumping jump faults, cross-country jumping faults and cross-country time faults – independent variables) with regard to their effect on final ranking in competition (dependent variable). Percentage accruement of penalty points showed dressage to be the largest contributor (69%) at the intro level, falling to 53% at the advanced level. The show jumping phase was the smallest percentage contributor (greatest influence seen at the novice level, 9%). The influence of cross-country increased as the level of competition became more difficult (greatest at the advanced level, 42%). Linear regression analysis was undertaken with the use of a standardized linear model. The models accounted for between 75 and 83% of all variance dependent on level. Accession of data to the model was almost identical from novice level upwards, with cross-country time and dressage faults exerting the greatest influence. At the lower levels of competition a more complex picture of accession was observed. The use of regression analysis supported the stated sporting aims of eventings governing bodies.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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