What exactly is the EquiRatings Elo rating?

Each horse starts their Elo rating on the same entry level on an Elo of just above 500.

Every time they compete in a CSI4* or CSI5* competition at 150 level or higher, they can either win or lose points.

The level of competition also determines how many points would be lost or gained. A five-star 160 class will carry more weight than a four-star 150 class.

Elo loss or gain depends on their finishing position in a class, as well as who they beat and/or are beaten by.

Beating a horse with a high Elo will give you more points than beating a horse with a lower Elo rating. Being beaten by a horse with a high Elo will cost you less points than being beaten by a horse with a low Elo rating.

The Elo rating system has a predictive value. The higher a horse’s Elo, the higher the chance is that this horse will jump clear.

This equally means that the higher a horse’s Elo, the lower the penalties they will incur. 

The Elo rating’s predictive value can be extremely valuable for team selections. 

Most importantly, the Elo rating’s power comes from its excitement factor. Where do the winners come from? Were they shoe-ins at the start of the competition, where they predicted to perform well? Or were they more of an underdog?

Thanks to the EquiRatings Elo rating, these narratives make the sport approachable and more easily understandable to fans, which in turn generates excitement to feel and experience the sport.