Genetic correlations between horse show jumping competition traits in five European countries

Genetic correlations were computed for show jumping competition traits from national estimated breeding values (EBV) of stallions of five countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland and Sweden. Data involved 24,390 horses, i.e. 8993 stallions with EBV and their ancestors. There were 617 stallions with several EBVs in more than one country. Method involved MACE (Multi-Trait Across Country Evaluation) methodology based on deregressed proofs adapted to the existence of own performance for stallions and to missing EBVs for some ancestors. ASREML was used to estimate covariance with an equivalent multiple trait model described as a random regression model. Within country sire variances were considered as known. The estimated genetic correlations were high (0.86 to 0.88) especially for reliable estimates between Belgium, France, Sweden and between Sweden and Denmark, and relatively high (0.70 to 0.91) for other pairs. These results open perspectives for the international evaluation of sporthorses.