Karl Cook & Kalinka van't Zorgvliet. Photo by SportFot
There's no questioning that the year 2022 has had some standout figures. The names Killer Queen, King Edward and HH Azur certainly come to mind when looking back at the last 12 months—as do their riders, Daniel Duesser, Henrik von Eckermann and McLain Ward, and some others, like Conor Swail's meteoric rise up the Longines World Rankings.
But do the numbers align with the headlines? With less than two weeks remaining on the calendar, Prixview took an analytic look at the year in review:
Introducing: The Prixview Rating
At the heart of show jumping sport is the value of each individual partnership, and that's why Prixview has developed its own rating for horse-and-rider combinations that use a combination of metrics to quantify success.
The first edition of the Prixview Rating evaluates nine of the sport's most recognizable combinations at the CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix level, through a formula that takes into account clear round percentage, average faults and how often combinations finish on the podium. In essence, the Prixview Rating will illustrate which combinations are most likely to perform well in specific scenarios—in this case, Which combination would be most likely to win a CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix?
What's weighted: Clear round percentage (10%), jumping faults as a percentage of total jumps (60%) and podium percentage (30%). The higher the Prixview rating, the better the performance.
Karl Cook (USA) and Kalinka van't Zorgvliet — PR 84.38
Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and James Kann Cruz — PR 80.72
McLain Ward (USA) and HH Azur — PR 75.91
Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) and King Edward — PR 72.17
Kent Farrington (USA) and Orafina — PR 71.42
Ben Maher (GBR) and Explosion W — PR 70.29
Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Leone Jei — PR 69.22
Daniel Deusser (GER) and Killer Queen VDM — PR 67.56
Simon Delestre (FRA) and Cayman Jolly Jumper — PR 66
The combinations of Cook and Kalinka and Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz set themselves apart in 2022 with remarkable percentages of podium placings. In 2022, these pairs finished on the podium in CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix competition 60% and 50%, respectively.
The Prixview Rating is constantly evolving with data collection, the expansion of sample sizes, the addition of new data points and the continuation of testing the calculation methodology against actual results. Future editions will recognize combinations in speed classes, as well as additional heights and ratings.
Consistency Comparison
What about pure consistency, in both U.S. and Europe? Prixview collected the data from the riders that competed in at least 4 CSI5* 1.60m classes this year (231 riders) and compared their averages at the level.
Unsurprisingly, in the U.S., it's World No. 5 Conor Swail (IRL) that's shown the most consistent level of excellence. In five U.S.-located CSI5* 1.60m events, Swail averaged just 1.5 faults.
Who is his European counterpart? U.S.-based Shane Sweetnam (IRL) has proven to be among the best in Europe this year, tied with Andre Thieme (GER). It's also worth noting Peder Fredricson's (SWE) incredible average despite having more than double the number of starts.
The Ultimate Clear Round Producer
Now, to the horses. Which horse jumped the most clear rounds in 1.60m classes this year? If you guessed King Edward, you'd absolutely be correct. Has anyone stood out more this year?
Speed Star Power
Prixview also wants to greatly recognize the often unsung speed horses. Which horse won the most CSI5* Speed Classes in 2022? It's Nadal Hero & DB, the talented mount of Swail. We must also note that Vahinee, the mount of Marie Hecart (FR), was a perfect 2-for-2 in CSI5* Speed Classes this year.
Faults Breakdown: The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League
The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League is winding down, with six of its eight qualifying legs completed. Prixview has logged every event live with course data not collected anywhere else.
World Cup qualifiers have averaged 6.35 faults so far this season, with the two latest qualifiers in Las Vegas and Fort Worth each averaging more than 7 faults.
Lexington's leg averaged just 4.13 faults, but this is not to say that this was the "easiest" course of the season. Lexington's course was a masterclass in course design by Brazil's Guilherme Jorge. A perfect 20% of the class jumped cleanly (7/35). Moreover, 46% of the class (16 riders!) finished with 4 faults—the mark of fair course that was just technical enough to bring the jump-off to a nice, round number.
What fence type fell most often? Oxers outweighed verticals, 39% to 35% for the season thus far. Plank verticals ranked third, accounting for 9% of the faults. The plank vertical was the fence that fell most at both Las Vegas and Fort Worth.
Daniel Coyle (IRL) may lead the North American League standings, but the most consistent rider, according to Prixview, has been Daniel Bluman (ISR). Of riders that started in at least 50% of the World Cup events offered so far this season, Bluman boasts the lowest faults average. Bluman won at Lexington and finished second at both Washington and Toronto.
Take a data deep dive on all of your favorite horses and riders at Prixview.com.