THE TAKE OFF KINEMATICS OF JUMPING HORSES IN A PUISSANCE COMPETITION

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the take off kinematics of horses competing in an international Puissance competition. A Puissance is a high jump competition for horses. Sagittal plane SVHS video recordings (50 Hz.) were made of the 1998 Dublin Horse Show Puissance competition. Video sequences were manually digitised and 5 kinematic variables were analysed. For successful performances, fence height was correlated with the following take off variables: vertical velocity of the centre of gravity (CG) (r =0.45, P =0.03); CG height (r =0.44, p =0.04); CG distance from fence (r =0.46, P = 0,03); and distance from leading hind limb to CG (r = -0.61, P < 0.01). The results should help horse riders and trainers improve performance in Puissance jumping horses.