Behind the scenes at EquiRatings, as we've provided complex analyses for eventing's head honchos and top teams, we’ve also been working really hard and thoughtfully to serve you – the non-professional rider, the backbone of the sport.
Without you, we wouldn’t be here and the sport wouldn’t stand. That is why our data scientists conceptualised, developed, tested and validated the Simple Metrics. These five base metrics represent over a year of diligent analysis, statistical scrutiny, and long discussions between the eventing experts and brains of our operation. We wanted to make sure the metrics were applicable and doable, but also smart and accurate.
Use them to focus and encourage you.
The How
Below, we walk through each of the metrics with a detailed how-to and an example for each.
Each of these metrics can be used to evaluate:
- Yourself
- Your horse
- The two of you (horse and rider) as a pair
These are the five base metrics which provide a strong foundation for measuring and tracking. There’s no need to make it more complicated, unless you want to…
Context Metrics
If you do want to go a step further, we also have 3 partner metrics. We call these the context metrics because they capture real-world factors that impact performance, like differences in course difficulty. We've written more on the context metrics here.
For now, keep it powerfully simple and take it step-by-step through each of these five Simple Metrics!
Measure dressage
Use: The 6RA
Why?: Once you have a summary score which reflects how you've been trending, you have a single, realistic number to improve on.
What is it?: The Six Run Average. The average of your six most recent dressage scores (at any level).
How to calculate it:
- 6 previous scores is ideal, but you can use as few as 3.
- Skip any test which resulted in retirement or elimination.
Example:
Measure cross country jumping
Use: The XCJ10
Why?: To quantify your cross country reliability, inform your season plan, and track your strength in the phase.
What is it?: Your cross country jumping (XCJ) clear rate
How to calculate it:
- A clear round is any round you finished with 0 jumping penalties. Do not count time penalties.
- If you started the XC phase but didn't finish the course, that counts as an unclear round.
- 10 previous runs is best, but you can use as few as 3.
Example:
Measure cross country time
Use: The TSR
Why?: Gain clarity on how you're consistently performing against the clock and track improvements in speed and efficiency.
What is it?: The True Speed Rating. The average of your 6 lowest time penalty values from your last 10 cross country runs (because we know you don't push for time on every run).
How to calculate it:
- The TSR is in units of time penalties. The lower the better.
- XC retirements and eliminations do not count as one of the 10 most-recent completions, but rounds with jumping faults do.
- 6 of 10 is optimal, but as few as 3 results will work. If you have fewer than 6 XC completions, average the time penalties from them all.
Measure show jumping
Use: The SJ6
Why?: Measure your show jumping strength and track this metric over time to continually monitor training strategy.
What is it?: The average number of show jumping penalties from your last 6 rounds.
How to calculate it:
- Time penalties are not counted in the calculation.
- Only completed SJ rounds are included. SJ retirements or eliminations are not included as one of your 6 most-recent rounds.
- 6 previous rounds is ideal but as few as 3 will work.
Example:
Measure overall performance
Use: The OBP6
Why?: Quantify how well you're putting all 3 phases together. Clearly and objectively track your overall form, relative to your peers.
What is it?: The Opponents Beaten Percentage. The percentage of competitors you've beaten out of all your recent opponents.
How to calculate it:
- Only include events where you started XC.
- If you started XC but didn't finish the course or the competition, that competition still counts but the number of opponents you beat was 0.
- Anyone who started the dressage phase with you counts in your total number of opponents faced.
- 6 previous competitions is ideal, but you can work with as few as 3.
Example:
Work with one metric at a time or paint the whole picture with all five, whatever is doable for you. Just remember to keep it simple, because simplicity keeps it useful and powerful. And for more, check out our Simple Metrics articles and site.