Individual risk profiles could help reduce chances of Eventing mishaps – study

horsetalk.co.nz

Researchers behind a major study exploring Eventing falls suggest that a potential risk profile can be constructed for each horse-rider combination ahead of any given FEI-level competition.

The findings could pave the wave to evidence-driven decisions on whether horses, riders, or particular combinations are allowed to rise or fall in competition level based on their calculated risk of a mishap.

These risk profiles, based on the individual histories of the horse and rider, and course-related factors, could also warn of an increased risk for a horse or rider should they turn out for their next event.

The study by University of Bristol researchers Euan Bennet and Tim Parkin, together with Heather Cameron-Whytock from Nottingham Trent University, is believed to be the first major investigation of risk factors for horse falls during the cross-country of Eventing since studies published in 2005/06, all of which used data from the 2000/01 season.