Statistics seem to be the hot topic in eventing recently so when Chris Kirby asked if we’d like a statistical analysis of the six FEI CCI4* events in 2017, of course we said ‘yes please’!
Many will be familiar with Chris on the British Eventing scene as the man who counts them down at the start of their cross country (we’ll be bringing you more about Chris in that role soon) but you may not know that he likes counting of another sort too.
Using figures obtained from published sources, Chris has put together a very interesting overview of the six big events that make up the FEI Classics Series
As the famous quote attributed to Disraeli goes “There are lies, damned lies and statistics” so we don’t claim this to be the definitive overview, especially as there are other factors not taken into consideration in this summary, such as weather conditions, experience level of competitors and horses etc
However there are some interesting points to be drawn from the overview .......
- Luhmuhlen comes out top in the ‘Least Severe’ category with 71% completions and topping the ‘Least Severe’ in six other categories
- Badminton tops the ‘Most Severe’ overall with 56% completions
- While Burghley had the highest percentage of rider falls (12%), Adelaide had the highest percentage of horse falls (10%) on cross country
- Adelaide also had the lowest percentage of retirements (5%) but they also had the highest percentage of eliminations (25%) on cross country
- Both Kentucky and Pau hold their show jumping on an artificial surface (which Kentucky and Burghley show jumping course designer Richard Jeffery says makes a big difference) but Pau had the highest number of show jumping rounds inside the time and clear (28%) and Kentucky had the lowest (10%)
- Two riders withdrew after the dressage in Kentucky, one rider withdrew at Badminton, Luhmuhlen and Burghley but there were no withdrawals after the dressage at Adelaide and Pau (has anyone ever withdrawn after dressage in Adelaide? We doubt it – it’s a long way to go for a dressage test)
- Burghley had the second highest cross country completion percentage (75%) compared to the lowest (50%) at Badminton
- None of the six events was won on the dressage score
So have a browse and let us know what you think. And if you’re not interested in statistics, here’s another quote you might like
“A recent survey or North American males found 42% were overweight, 34% were critically obese and 8% ate the survey” Banksy
FEI 4* simple statistical comparison for 2017 (*unofficial and unaudited)
Rounded percentages expressed as a % of discipline starts, except Completed Event
*Figures obtained from published sources of variable and inconsistent format
Report created by Chris Kirby
