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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 November 2017
The relative diversity in body shape and type between breeds indicates a relationship between body shape and performance. Numerous studies on the relationship between body shape and performance are reviewed by Sasstamoinen and Barrey (2000). A limited number of studies (Langlois et al, 1978) have looked at the relationship between horse height at the wither and performance. Holmstrom et al, (1990) found elite dressage and show jumping horses had a higher mean wither height than four year old quality assessed riding horses and riding school horses. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between wither height and performance in three groups of event horses, elite, potential and non-achieving. Additionally wither height is analysed via body depth and ground clearance and performance level within the three groups. The UK a world leader within the equestrian sport of eventing, currently the Olympic individual and team silver medallist winning nation.