Comparing subjective and objective evaluation of show jumping competition and warm-up arena surfaces

Abstract

The development of safety and quality standards for equestrian surfaces needs to be based on objective, repeatable measurements which allow comparisons between surfaces. These measurements should incorporate the assessment of surface performance by riders. This study provides data from objective and subjective assessment of functional properties of high-level show jumping competition and warm-up arenas. Twenty-five arenas in nine international show jumping events were evaluated by mechanical in-situ testing with a surface tester, rider assessments using visual analogue scales (198 riders provided 749 arena evaluations), descriptions of arena constructions and by laboratory tests of surface material. Mixed models were used to present subjective evaluation of rider perception of the functional properties for each arena while controlling for rider and event. The association between objective and subjective assessments were also explored creating mixed models, controlling for rider and event. Mechanical measurements of impact firmness, and to a lesser extent cushioning and grip, had a significant positive association with the riders' perception. Responsiveness as assessed by the Orono biomechanical surface tester (OBST) was negatively associated with the riders' perceptions, which suggests riders and the OBST had different concepts of this functional property and that further developments of the OBST might be necessary. Objectively measured uniformity showed no useful association with riders' perception. Even though arena assessments were made by top level riders, a substantial inter-rider variation was demonstrated.

Thoroughbred Racehorse Welfare through the Lens of ‘Social License to Operate—With an Emphasis on a U.S. Perspective

“…What may be the biggest challenge is the development of a shared set of criteria that can be tested which also correspond to perception. In this case, efforts in the equestrian sport of show jumping is significantly ahead of racing, with work correlating rider perception of surfaces having been shown to correlate to objective measurements [61].…”

Microdamage in the equine superficial digital flexor tendon

“…Studying hoof‐surface interactions, in particular, can elucidate biomechanical stresses experienced by the limb that contribute to current knowledge to aetiology of musculoskeletal injuries in field conditions 4,123 . Arena surface assessment made between professional showjumping riders also demonstrated a substantial level of inter‐rider variation, 124 which further suggests a lack of objective guidance available to inform riders and trainers of appropriate surface quality.…”

Operational temperatures of all-weather thoroughbred racetracks influence surface functional properties

“…Files were converted into a suitable ASCII format and imported into Visual 3D where data describing surface functional properties was extracted. Functional properties that were measured using these two mechanical testing devices were horizontal grip, cushioning, impact firmness (Hernlund et al, 2017) and rotational grip (Lewis et al, 2015).…”

“…assess the functional properties of all-weather racetrack surfaces using mechanical testing devices under controlled temperatures relevant to operational conditions. Functional properties included horizontal grip, cushioning, impact firmness and rotational grip described in detail by Hernlund et al (2017) and Lewis et al (2015). It was hypothesised that changes in surface temperature would significantly alter surface functional properties and that there would be differences in the range of surface responses when grouped according to the first thermal transition peak of the wax binder.…”