Ability

Sport horses

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Ability covers the horse's various performances in the disciplines in which it competes. It is presented in the form of genetic indices or performance indices or labels.

Performance in equestrian sports competitions

Indices are calculated in a similar manner for show jumping, eventing, and dressage to be able to compare the horse with a specified population.

Summary table of genetic indices

Discipline Show jumping Eventing Dressage
Genetic index (CD) Indice non publié, CD trop faible Indice non publié, CD trop faible

In blue : satisfactory index and/or coefficient
* Low CD so index inaccurate
Indices last updated on : 2020

Genetic indices (BSO, BCC, or BDR) of a sire or mare are the estimation of its hereditary potential. It concerns the horse's ability to perform in equestrian competitions (show jumping, eventing, or dressage) based on available information. It should always be used with its coefficient of determination (CD). The higher the CD, the more accurately this genetic index reflects the sire's genetic potential which could be transmitted to his progeny.

  • CD<0.20 - Too low: Genetic index not provided: Too inaccurate as not enough information is available.
  • 0.20<CD<0.30 - Low: Genetic index obtained solely based on the competition performance of ancestors (parents, grand-parents) and indirect lineage (brothers, cousins, etc.): Expressed by a global index of the foal's pedigree.
  • 0.30<CD<0.50 - Intermediate: Genetic indices obtained through the horse's own performances, the performance of its ancestors (parents, grandparents) and indirect lineage (brothers, cousins, etc.): Moderate accuracy but sufficient to select sires and broodmares based on their first season of competition.
  • 0.50<CD<0.70 - Good: Genetic index including the performances of the first foals: Fairly accurate.
  • CD>0.70 - High: Genetic indices obtained by combining the performances of ancestors, own performances, and the performances of a number of its progeny: Very accurate which can only be obtained for sires already commonly used for breeding allowing them to be used with certainty.

Performance indices for the three disciplines have been published since 1972. Genetic indices, based on calculations using the BLUP method, have been published since 1986 for show jumping and 1997 for dressage and eventing.

Performance indices are published for every year that the horse participates in competitions and are called: ISO for show jumping, IDR for dressage, ICC for eventing

The performance index for a given year is calculated based on the results from the first weekend in October of year n-1 to the last weekend in September of year n. To find out more about the types of competitions included in the calculation of indices, click here: