What is the Jumping Index?
The Jumping Index represents a comprehensive genetic evaluation of a horse's predispositions for show jumping. It is based on available information about the horse's and its relatives' sports performance, pedigree, and other data used in genetic evaluation.
Its goal is to estimate the horse's genetic potential for show jumping and its ability to pass this potential on to future generations.
The Jumping Index does not only evaluate the achieved sports results of a specific horse but aims to estimate its genetic value for breeding.
How is the index interpreted?
The Jumping Index is expressed on a relative scale, where:
population average = 100 points
standard deviation = 20 points
A higher index value means a higher predisposition for genetic contribution to the jumping performance of offspring.
For easier orientation, the values are divided into several categories:
below 60 – below average
60–80 – weaker average
80–120 – average
120–140 – better above average
140 and more – elite
What does relative placement in the population mean?
Relative placement in the population shows how a horse compares to other evaluated horses.
Part of the horse's profile is a graph that displays the individual's position within the entire evaluated population.
An index of 100 corresponds to the population average.
Values between 80 and 120 points represent the average population level.
Values above 120 points indicate horses with above-average genetic potential.
Values of 140 points and higher classify horses as elite individuals in the population.
A marker on the curve indicates the horse's relative position in the population. The further to the right it is, the higher its genetic potential for jumping performance.
Where can I find my horse's Jumping Index?
Jumping indices are published in the online studbook of the Czech Sport Horse at https://pk.ceskysportovnikun.cz/
After searching for a specific horse, you will find its Jumping Index directly in the horse's profile in the Performance section.
Why might the best athlete not have the best index?
Sports performance and genetic value are not identical quantities.
Horse A: sports performance S***, Jumping Index 105.
Horse B: sports performance L**, Jumping Index 125.
Although horse A achieved a higher sports level, the genetic evaluation may indicate that horse B has a higher potential to pass on abilities for show jumping to its offspring.
It is important to realize that the Jumping Index is not a list of the most successful sport horses. It expresses an estimate of genetic predispositions for jumping performance and the ability to pass these predispositions on to future generations.
How to use the Jumping Index when selecting a stallion?
The Jumping Index should never be the sole selection criterion.
When deciding on the use of a stallion, it is advisable to simultaneously evaluate:
pedigree,
conformation,
character and rideability,
health status,
sports performance,
Jumping Index,
reliability of the estimate.
What are the limits of the Jumping Index?
does not evaluate all horse characteristics,
does not replace the breeder's expert judgment,
does not guarantee the performance of every offspring,
expresses probable genetic potential, not a certain outcome,
should be considered together with other available information.
Conclusion
The Jumping Index represents a modern tool for evaluating the genetic potential of horses for show jumping. It allows breeders to better understand the genetic quality of individual horses and facilitates informed breeding decisions.
However, it is important to remember that the Jumping Index is not a sports result or a guarantee of future performance. It is one of the tools that can help in the selection of stallions and broodmares.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I compare the Jumping Index of a Czech horse with the Jumping Index of the same horse abroad?
No. Jumping indices calculated in different countries cannot be directly compared.
For example, the stallion Mylord Carthago may have a Jumping Index (ISO) of 178 in France, while in the Czech Republic, it has a Jumping Index (SI) of 149. However, this does not mean that it would be genetically “better” in France than in the Czech Republic. Each index is calculated on a different population of horses, from different data, and using its own genetic evaluation system. The index value always expresses the horse's position relative to the population in which the index was calculated. Therefore, Jumping Indices relate only to the population of a given country or breeding organization and are not directly comparable between individual countries. When evaluating a horse, it is therefore advisable to compare its index only with other horses within the same evaluation system.
Does a higher Jumping Index always mean a better sport horse?
No. The Jumping Index expresses genetic predispositions for jumping performance and the ability to pass these predispositions on to offspring. It is not a ranking of the most successful sport horses.
A very successful sport horse may have a lower Jumping Index than another horse with lower sports performance if the genetic evaluation indicates a higher potential for passing on jumping abilities to offspring.
Why might my horse's Jumping Index change over time?
Because new information is continuously added. The calculation of the Jumping Index includes the sports results of the horse, its relatives, and its offspring. With the increasing amount of available data, both the index itself and its reliability can become more precise.
Therefore, a change in the index does not necessarily mean a change in the horse's genetic quality, but often reflects a refinement of the estimate based on newly acquired information.
Glossary of Terms
Jumping Index – comprehensive genetic evaluation of predispositions for jumping performance.
Genetic Potential – a set of hereditary predispositions that a horse can pass on to its offspring.
Relative Placement in Population – the horse's position compared to other evaluated horses.
Population Average – a reference value of 100 points, against which other horses are compared.
Reliability of Estimate – data indicating how accurate the calculated index is. The higher the reliability, the more information was available for the calculation.
Pedigree – a record of a horse's ancestors used in genetic evaluation.
