INNOVATION & PERFORMANCE
SPORTS DATA ANALYSIS POWERED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
By Sandrine Deniau, in collaboration with EquiData Sport
Pictured: Maelle Martin & Gerbera du Marais – EquiData Sport
Excellence & Trust
Since 1995
THE EVOLUTION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS IN SPORTS DATA ANALYSIS: A GAME CHANGER FOR SPORT HORSES
In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has profoundly transformed many sectors, and the world of sport horses—particularly show jumping—is no exception. Data analysis tools now make it possible to assess horses’ performances with unprecedented accuracy and consistency, paving the way for new strategies in training and selection.
Thanks to innovative technologies like performance-tracking software and competition-focused databases, breeders, riders, and horse owners can now access detailed insights into every aspect of a horse’s athletic career. These tools allow for measurable progress tracking, comparative analysis of individual performances, and the identification of trends over time.
ONE OF THE MOST STRIKING EXAMPLES IS EQUIDATA SPORT, A TOOL DEVELOPED BY IVAN PALMER, WHICH OFFERS REPORTS BASED ON PRECISE DATA FROM VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS.
This tool goes beyond delivering statistics: it identifies correlations between the horses’ geographic origin and their competition success, as well as each horse’s strengths and areas for improvement. By harnessing this data, AI helps not only to better understand past performances but also to predict a horse’s potential for future success. EquiData assesses horses independently of the rider’s influence—whether positive or negative.
NASH: PRIORITIZING HUMAN SELECTION, ENHANCED BY TECHNOLOGY
At Nash, horse selection has always been based on human expertise—drawing on nearly 30 years of experience in sport horse sales. The eye of our experts, their in-depth knowledge of bloodlines and performance, remains at the heart of our process. However, we fully acknowledge the growing importance of technology in continuously improving our services.
With tools like EquiData, we now benefit from valuable performance feedback on horses we have selected in the past. For example, Gerbera du Marais, Elite Nash 2019, is now ranked among the best 8-year-old horses in France. It was EquiData Sport's performance analysis that convinced her buyers to acquire her at the end of her 6-year-old season. This kind of data highlights the quality of Nash’s selections and allows us to track each horse’s development over time.
WHILE HORSE PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS IS A POWERFUL TOOL, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) GOES EVEN FURTHER BY PROCESSING COMPLEX DATA TO HELP SELECT THE RIGHT RIDERS TO DEVELOP FUTURE CHAMPIONS.
In May 2024, Ivan Palmer’s team used EquiData Sport to select a rider capable of maximizing the potential of their young horses, based on performance and progression data from the 2024 season.
The request: to select a rider who improves young horses, based on 2024 data.
Using AI algorithms, the system filtered through 1,000 riders, analyzing their backgrounds, training styles, competition results, and even more subtle factors like consistency in improving horses under their care. The application ultimately recommended Félicie Bertrand as a rider with a proven ability to enhance performance.
This approach demonstrates how AI is transforming decision-making in equestrian sports. By integrating such advanced data analysis, breeders and trainers now have solid information to guide their decisions and optimize their horses’ careers.
The future will tell how these tools continue to evolve and become a part of everyday life for professionals in the equestrian world, helping them make informed choices and stay competitive in an increasingly tech-driven environment.
25% of France’s sport horses are born in the Manche department alone—and these horses account for 33% of competition earnings. These statistics, based on the analysis of thousands of data points, further reinforce our belief in the importance of our work in this region, renowned for producing exceptional horses.
At Nash, human expertise remains at the core of every selection. AI will become a complementary tool to refine our choices and ensure that our clients benefit from the most accurate and insightful information possible.
