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.

Eventing Nation

With safety being the primary concern for anyone involved in the sport, research into the causes of falls on cross country is always being done in an effort to improve the safety element of eventing.

The Horse has published the findings of a study done by Heather Cameron-Whytock and Charlotte Brigden of Myerscough College in Preston, United Kingdom, which studied data surrounding cross country falls. A total of 2,002 horses and riders participating in one-day events at Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced levels were studied.

the Horse – The only variable researchers could link with the likelihood of falling was the horse and rider’s competitive rank going into cross-country.

When you’re in the lead going into the cross-country phase of a horse trial or three-day event, your goal is to ride hard and bring home the blue, right? If so, you might want to think about taking it just a tad easier: Recent study results—presented at the 2014 International Society for Equitation Science conference, held Aug. 6-9 in Bredsten, Denmark—suggest that heading into cross-country in a top-ranking position puts those horses and riders at a significantly higher risk of falling on course than lower-ranking riders. Which, in all senses of the term, can be a real downer.

Heather Cameron-Whytock, BSc (Hons), and Charlotte Brigden, MSc, BSc (Hons), both of Myerscough College in Preston, United Kingdom, reviewed 2,002 horse-and-rider teams participating in randomly selected one-day events (novice, intermediate, and advanced levels) in the U.K. The group investigated a long list of factors that might be related to an increased risk of horse falls in cross-country, including competition level, horse age, horse gender, rider gender, month, year, and event, trying to find associations with falls. But in the end, there was only one variable that seemed to have a connection with the likelihood of falling: the competitive rank of the horse and rider as they entered the cross-country phase.

horsetalk.co.nz

Horse and rider combinations in leading positions at the start of the cross country phase of one-day events are at greater risk of falls, British research shows.

Myerscough College researchers Heather Cameron-Whytock and Charlotte Brigden presented the findings of their research to delegates at the recent International Equitation Science Conference in Denmark.

The pair set about exploring risk factors for horse falls in the cross-country phase of one-day events, which is recognised as a high-risk sport and associated with higher levels of fatalities and serious injuries than sports such as motorsport and rugby.

They collected data from 2002 horse-and-rider combinations in the novice, intermediate and advanced levels of 37 randomly selected British Eventing horse trials competitions from 2003 to 2012.