logo
NEWS & MEDIA / LET’S DIVE INTO OLYMPIC HALF-BROTHERS’ DNA! TSETSERLEG VS. VANDIVER GENETIC DEEP DIVE

Let’s dive into Olympic half-brothers’ DNA! Tsetserleg vs. Vandiver Genetic Deep Dive

August 3, 2021

Vandiver and Tsetserleg are two half-brothers that have just competed in this years’ Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 for Team USA Eventing. Both brothers were sired by eventing & Olympic royalty - Windfall II. Accumulating 1,281.5 points over his eventing career, Windfall II is third on the list of United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA)'s historical high point standings.

The journey of Vandiver and Tsetserleg to the Olympic level raises questions for curious minds: Is success really shaped by our genes? What can we learn from both of these brothers’ genetic results? How are they alike and how are they different, genetically-speaking?

Let’s take a look at their EtalonDx Equine DNA test results. The MiniPanel PLUS offers information on your horse’s health and disease risk, coat colors and patterns, and performance genetics, all with just a simple hair sample.

First, let’s review their MiniPanel PLUS diagnostic results and focus on their performance genetics results! There are three main traits we are diving into: DMRT3 (“gait”), Temperament, and Myostatin (or speed).

Both horses came back with similar results for DMRT3 and Myostatin: both are negative for the DMRT3 mutation, and both came back as “Endurance” type for Myostatin. The Myostatin variant is associated with racing distance for winning Thoroughbreds, with C/C (Sprint/Sprint) horses excelling at distances of 8 furlongs or less and T/T (Endurance/Endurance) horses excelling in races of 9 furlongs or more. As eventers, they might benefit from having two “Endurance” variants, for the athletic ability and stamina required on the Cross-Country field.

Yet, their results differ significantly on their Temperament (DRD4) test! Vandiver is homozygous for the Vigilance variant, which fits with his description as “not the friendliest horse in the barn”. Tsetserleg, on the other hand, is a barn favorite with a loving personality. Boyd describes him as “cute and cuddly”. “My kids come up to pet the horses, and he’s by far the friendliest,” Boyd Martin said. Not surprisingly, Tsetserleg's Temperament test (DRD4) results came back with two Curiosity Variants!

Now, let’s take a look at their Ancestry & Genetic Composition results:

Doug Payne says that Vandiver’s favorite phase in Eventing is Cross Country, and after analyzing Vandiver’s Ancestry results, the geneticists at Etalon can see why. With 70.89% Thoroughbred ancestry, that might be the key as to why Vandiver makes the perfect Cross-Country mount: quick-footed and athletic. On the other hand, Tseterleg’s % Thoroughbred ancestry is lower than his half-brother, Vandivers’. He does have shared Iberian ancestry (that his brother lacks), and that Iberian blood might be worth noting. Iberian ancestry is also shared by breeds such as Andalusians, Lusitanos, Mangalargas, and PREs - breeds that oftentimes excel in the dressage ring! Tseterleg excels at Dressage, and when Olympic-level fit he does well at Cross-Country, but has difficulty in the show jumping ring according to Boyd. “Show jumping has been his weak phase over the years, and we’ve worked pretty hard at it. It’s very satisfying to get a good round out of him under pressure. I think that Thomas (Tsetserleg) performs better when there’s pressure. I’m not sure if he knows which events are important, but he seems to do really well in dressage, cross-country, and show jumping when we need him.” He might have a competitive edge in the dressage ring thanks to that shared Iberian Ancestry. Let us know what you think!

As a horse owner, understanding your horse’s genetic makeup can help make their lives easier by understanding suitability. Horses may be genetically more suited towards some careers, disciplines, or even people. Your horse’s Ancestry results may help you when it comes to decision-making, increasing the number of tools in your and your horse’s genetic “toolbox” (meaning more genetic variability and the ability to adapt more easily).

We have just seen an example with two related horses, where a simple difference in Thoroughbred and Iberian ancestry may play a huge role in their preferences for different disciplines. While not all of our questions can be answered by genetics alone (environmental factors play a large role in their performance ability), their genetics may give us some insight into their athletic abilities. As our scientists at Etalon Diagnostics gather more information and feedback from our clients, we can also better develop these tools to improve you and your horse’s success, all based on their genetics!

News & Media

Etalon Equine Genetics Discovers Three New White Marking Variants in a New Gene

March 20, 2024

Menlo Park, CA - Etalon Equine Genetics has made another landmark discovery in the field of equine genetics. For the first time in 10 years, a new genetic region for color has been found!

Etalon Equine Genetics Discovers Three New White Marking Variants in a New Gene

March 20, 2024

Discovery alert! Dive into the groundbreaking discovery by Etalon Equine Genetics revealing three new white marking variants on the elusive HPS5 gene. Explore why this find is a game-changer in equine genetics and what it means for your horse's coat color.

Breeding Backed by Science with Etalon Equine Genetics: Leveraging Genetic Testing to Maximize Performance, Evaluate Health Risks vs. Conditions, and Avoid Foal Fatalities

March 18, 2024

Unlock the power of horse breeding backed by science with Etalon Equine Genetics. Maximize performance, evaluate health risks, and prevent foal fatalities with advanced genetic testing. Explore the science behind breeding for a better future today!

Podcast Episodes

Discovery Alert: Join the Nerd Herd to Learn about Eden Whites

Genetics Unbridled Podcast | Ep. 6

Unleash your inner scientist in the world of equine genetics. In this episode, we're joined by our very own Aiden McFadden, Katie Martin, and Dr. Robi...

Press Releases

Etalon Equine Genetics Discovers Three New White Marking Variants in a New Gene

March 19, 2024

Menlo Park, CA - Etalon Equine Genetics has made another landmark discovery in the field of equine genetics. For the first time in 10 years, a new genetic region for color has been found!

Read More

Etalon Equine Genetics Discovers New Novel White Variant in Pura Raza Española Horses

December 23, 2023

Menlo Park, CA - Etalon Equine Genetics, a leading provider of equine DNA testing services, has made an exciting breakthrough in equine genetics.

Read More

APHA Approves New White Marking Variant W35 “Holiday” in Horses Discovered by Etalon Equine Genetics

December 23, 2023

Menlo Park, CA - Etalon Equine Genetics, a leading provider of DNA testing services, has made another novel discovery in the field of equine genetics. The company has identified a new white marking variant now designated as W35.

Read More