Eventing ‘Getting Safer’

Eventing in the UK is not only increasing in popularity as more riders take up the reins of the ultimate equestrian triathlon of Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country, but thanks to rigorous safety improvements incorporated following non-stop research and data analysis, competitors are at far less risk from injury.

Figures released from British Eventing this week show that the percentage risk of serious injury is reduced to just 0.07%; considerably lower than in many other activities such as motorsports, cycling and fishing.

“In total, from July 2002 to June 2008, a staggering 6.3 million cross country fences have been jumped by 316,217 riders on British Eventing affiliated courses throughout the UK,” explains BE’s National Safety Officer, Jonathan Clissold.

“But there have been 406 serious falls; including, tragically, four fatal falls, many from the horse falling on top of the rider”…

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Date: 7-14-2009
By: www.midweekherald.co.uk