33 Genetic Evaluation of Show Jumping Performance in the Irish Sport Horse

Abstract The current genetic evaluations of the Irish Sport Horse are undertaken on a single trait called Lifetime Performance Rating (LPR). LPR represents highest level horse has achieved two double clear rounds in show jumping both national and international performances. objective this study was to compare method currently used these (Model 1, Table 1) modified methodology determine most accurate for estimating breeding values (EBV) LPR. Genetic parameters EBVs were generated based 30,355 horses using eight different animal models. Each models considered additive variance as random effect combination following fixed effects: sex, year first achieved, age maximum competition data, Thoroughbred percentage (TB%), TB% divided into eights. (Table 1). goodness-of-fit each model evaluated Akaike’s information criteria produced by model. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.26 0.32 depending inclusion or decreased residual variances, thus, increased heritability LPR; also performed better than those that did not consider any form. significantly fit effect. In conclusion, future would benefit considers either performance horse, alongside sex horse.