Issue |
Genet. Sel. Evol.
Volume 33, Number 2, March-April 2001
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Page(s) | 175 - 190 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/gse:2001115 |
Genet. Sel. Evol. 33 (2001) 175-190
Genetic parameters of eventing horse competition in France
Anne Ricard and Isabelle ChanuInstitut national de la recherche agronomique, Station de génétique quantitative et appliquée, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France
(Received 7 June 2000; accepted 26 September 2000)
Abstract
Genetic parameters of eventing horse competitions were estimated.
About 13 000 horses, 30 000 annual results during 17 years and
110 000 starts in eventing competitions during 8 years were recorded.
The measures of performance were logarithmic transformations of
annual earnings, annual earnings per start, and annual earnings per
place, and underlying variables responsible for ranks in each
competition. Heritabilities were low (0.11 / 0.17 for annual results,
0.07 for ranks). Genetic correlations between criteria were high
(greater than 0.90) except between ranks and earnings per place (0.58)
or per start (0.67). Genetic correlations between ages (from 5 to
10 years old) were also high (more than 0.85) and allow selection on
early performances. The genetic correlation between the results in
different levels of competition (high/international and low/amateur) was
near 1. Genetic correlations of eventing with other disciplines, which
included partial aptitude needed for eventing, were very low for
steeplechase races (0.18) and moderate with sport: jumping (0.45),
dressage (0.58). The results suggest that selection on jumping
performance will lead to some positive correlated response for
eventing performance, but much more response could be obtained if a
specific breeding objective and selection criteria were developed for
eventing.
Key words: horse / eventing / heritability / rank
Correspondence and reprints: Anne Ricard ugenata@dga.jouy.inra.fr
© INRA, EDP Sciences 2001