Latest from Horse & Hound in Eventing-fatality

‘Exceptional’ event rider dies in cross-country schooling accident

Becky Murray — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 12:27:55 +0000

Tributes have been paid to a “beautiful person” and “exceptional” event rider, who died in a cross-country schooling accident in the United States.

Professional rider Annie Goodwin, 32, died following the accident at Stable View LLC, South Carolina, on Wednesday (14 July).

“We at Stable View are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Annie Goodwin, a beloved local rider. She was an exceptional eventer,” a statement from Stable View read.

“The tragic accident happened on Wednesday afternoon while schooling over a training level obstacle. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injury shortly thereafter at Aiken Regional Medical Centers.”

The statement added that Annie’s horse was not injured in the accident.

“Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Annie’s family and loved ones. Please have consideration and respect for all involved during this difficult time,” it continued.

“Stable View will be closed for the next two weeks while our community grieves.”

Annie rode at US advanced level and was sixth in the CCI4*-S at the Kentucky Three-Day Event in April with Fedarman B. A number of riders have paid tribute to her including Will Coleman, for whom she formerly worked for, and Boyd Martin.

“I had the privilege of helping to train Annie with her horses over the past few years and am absolutely devastated to hear the news of her passing,” said Boyd. “Annie had it all – enthusiasm, drive and a passion for horses that we all knew would make her a successful athlete and professional in the sport. Words can’t accurately describe how the eventing community is feeling.

“It was exciting for me to see her career begin to blossom over the last few years with one of the best horses in the country in Bruno and a fleet of young horses coming through behind him. I was proud to see her continue to grow her business with a massive following in Aiken, South Carolina, and share her love and knowledge of the sport with others. In my opinion, she was on the brink of stardom here in the United States. We are thinking about Annie and her family today and will be remembering her impact on all of us in the weeks to come.”

Will Coleman said it had been “hard to find the words” to express the grief so many are feeling following Annie’s death.

“To put it simply, the world has lost a beautiful person,” he said. “Katie [Will’s wife] and I and our entire equestrian family, are unspeakably saddened by the passing of Annie. For as long as I have known her, Annie always carried herself with true dignity and class. She was always the hardest worker in the room, but did things quietly, never for attention or recognition.

“My heart goes out to her family, and all the many friends she has in this sport and world. It’s a very sad day waking up and knowing that she is gone, but there is no doubt that she will continue to inspire the many people that knew her personally and professionally.”

A spokesman for the United States Eventing Association said the organisation was “deeply saddened” by the news and sent its condolences to Annie’s family, friends and connections.

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‘The world has lost an angel’: 15-year-old rising eventing star killed in training accident

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 12:58:23 +0000

The Irish equestrian community is mourning the loss of a rising star of eventing, who died in an accident in training yesterday (16 June).

Tiggy Hancock, 15, was seriously injured during squad training in Greenogue, Dublin. She was taken to hospital, where she later died.

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is among those who have paid tribute to Tiggy, who won a pony bronze medal for Ireland in 2019, a year after she started eventing.

“Tiggy was a highly talented young athlete and a respected member of our pony high performance eventing programme,” an HSI spokesman said. “A keen equestrian for many years as a member of the Carlow and Kilkenny Hunt Pony Club and very successful working hunter pony competitor, Tiggy only began eventing in the autumn of 2018, making an immediate mark on the sport.

Following a run of impressive performances in 2019, she was selected to represent Ireland at the under-16 European eventing team championships in Poland, where she and her team mates secured a team bronze medal.”

Tiggy had also been enjoying success against senior riders this year, finishing fourth and sixth in the CCI2*-S at Millstreet this month, on Coppenagh Spring Sparrow and Monarch of the Glen respectively.

“Tiggy was well liked among both junior and senior members of the Irish equestrian family and her passing will be mourned by all,” the HSI spokesman said.

“The Hancock family are known throughout Ireland for their commitment to the equestrian community and those who know them will share in their grief.”

A friend wrote on Facebook that “the world has lost an angel today”.

“The most caring, sensitive, intelligent, motivated and truly gifted equestrian rider in the world, at only 15 Tiggy has achieved more than most of us will do in a lifetime,” she said.

“Her passion for her ponies and horses could not be matched, but more so the truly inspirational little lady that is Tiggy touched so many lives giving only joy with that HUGE smile that always beamed from her.

“We will all miss you Tiggy Hancock, you have taken a piece of all of our hearts. We hope you are in your ultimate pony heaven.”

The British Show Pony Society (BSPS) paid tribute to an “exceptional and talented young rider who was much loved and admired among our [working hunter pony] WHP competitors”.

“Her accomplishments are numerous in the WHP world but she was especially good at the Gold Cup competitions, winning many of the qualifiers,” the society said in a statement.

“We were all so proud of her accomplishments particularly when she was selected to represent Ireland at the Under-16 European eventing team championships in Poland, where she and her team mates secured a team bronze medal.

“She will always be remembered for her winning smile and great enthusiasm and love for her sport. She will be sadly missed by us all.”

The HSI spokesman added: “The loss of a young person is always particularly hard to comprehend. This will be a difficult time for many of Tiggy’s team mates and friends in the sport. Horse Sport Ireland has a designated support person to assist individuals affected, and would encourage them or their parents to come forward to seek support. Please email: support@horsesportireland.ie”

HSI asked that the family’s request for privacy at this time is respected.

Talented young rider killed in cross-country fall

Lucy Elder — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 09:09:55 +0000

A talented young French event rider has been killed in a fall at a national event.

Thaïs Meheust, who won multiple medals at pony, junior and young rider European Championships, died in a cross-country fall at le Pin au Haras, Normandy, on Saturday (7 September).

The 22-year-old was riding the grey gelding, Chaman Dumontceau, when the horse fell at the second fence in the seven-year-old national championships.

A statement from the French equestrian federation said the sport is in mourning.

Thais was part of gold medal-winning teams at every level of international youth eventing, from ponies to most recently young riders at the 2018 championships.

She was a rising star in the international eventing world and had numerous wins and top-10 placings up to new four-star level.

She recently made the step up to senior squads and was on the French side that contested the British leg of the FEI Nations Cup series at Houghton in May.

Thais, who studied law, was also part of the youth panel at the 2018 FEI sports forum, which discussed and presented ideas for the future of equestrian sport over two days in Switzerland last year.

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Rider dies following fall at riding club one-day event

Becky Murray — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 13:53:40 +0000

A rider has died following a fall at a one-day event at the weekend.

The female rider, who has not been named, was taking part in the Solihull Riding Club one-day event on Saturday (13 July) afternoon when she fell from her horse.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the incident but the rider died at the scene.

A statement for British Riding Clubs (BRC) said: “It is with the deepest regret that we announce that a rider died following a fatal incident, whilst competing during the cross country phase at the Solihull Riding Club one-day event.

“The next of kin have been informed. Solihull Riding Club and BRC extend their deepest sympathy to the family of the rider at this tragic time.

“Paramedics who were in attendance as part of the event organisation were the first to attend to the rider. BRC is carrying out an investigation into the incident and assisting the Local Authority with their inquiry.”

The statement said access to the grounds at Solihull Riding Club will be closed until further notice.

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said staff attended Solihull Riding Club at 4.35pm on Saturday following reports a woman had fallen from her horse and was in cardiac arrest.

“Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a British Association for Immediate Care emergency doctor and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire air ambulance were sent to the scene.

“On arrival, ambulance staff found people at the scene carrying out CPR on the woman. Ambulance staff took over but sadly it was not possible to save her and she was confirmed dead at the scene.”

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Teenage rider and her horse die after cross-country training accident

Lucy Elder — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 17:52:36 +0000

A 13-year-old girl and her horse have died following a cross-country schooling accident.

US teenager Ashley Stout and her horse, Avant Garde, were training at Standing Ovation Equestrian Center (SOEC) in Halfmoon Township, Pennsylvania when the accident happened on 11 July. It is believed they had a rotational fall.

A statement from the centre said: “Tonight we mourn an unfathomable loss; two incredibly beautiful souls. Words cannot express. Life is so precious and fragile.

“Ashley Stout may you & Avant Garde jump through the clouds together for eternity.”

The young rider had been a member of the US Eventing Association (USEA) since 2016 and successfully evented during the past three years.

She started riding Avant Garde, a seven-year-old Westphalian gelding, in the spring and the pair jumped clear across country in their 15 USEA starts together.

They won the junior/young rider open training division (equivalent to BE100 level) at the New Jersey region’s horse trials in June and were second in the preliminary/training (equivalent to novice dressage and showjumping, with BE100 cross-country) at Bucks County Horse Park horse trials last month.

In 2017, she won a national title, taking the junior beginner novice under-14 section at the USEA American Eventing Championships, riding Deo Volente. The combination finished on their dressage score of 19.8 in the competition, which is run at BE80 level.

Ashley and Avant Garde had been chosen to ride on the area II young rider training three-day team at Rebecca Farm this month.

A statement from USEA said the area II young rider programme is promoting the use of the hashtag “#ride4Ashley” in her memory.

“The USEA sends its heartfelt condolences to all of Stout’s parents, Susan and Craig, family, friends, and connections,” added the statement.

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Concerns raised about fence where young eventer had fatal fall, inquest hears

Sarah Radford — Sat, 25 May 2019 10:06:06 +0000

The fence where teenage eventer Olivia Inglis had a fatal fall was “appropriate but not safe”, according to international rider Paul Tapner.

The 2010 Badminton winner told an inquest into her death that he “would have liked something to be changed about that jump” had he been competing at the Scone Horse Trials in March 2016.

“I would be exceptionally unhappy to jump that without a discussion with the course designer and technical delegate about how it could be made safe,” he said.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the rider was concerned that only two of a number of risks presented by the fence had been addressed by course-designers.

While the jump had been painted white and the back rail of the oxer at 8b had been raised by 3cm to make it more visible, it did not feature a groundline or use frangible pins.

While an investigation into the accident revealed that the obstacle did not meet at least three FEI guidelines, three course-designers called as witnesses said they believed it to be safe. They were Brits Mike Etherington-Smith, Alec Lochore and Australian Grant Johnston.

While Mr Etherington-Smith stressed that course-design is “not a black and white science” and FEI guidelines are “not rules”, all three agreed they would not have designed the fence in that form.

Both the British designers told the coroner’s court they would have built the jump using frangible pins.

Experienced 17-year-old rider Olivia suffered serious chest injuries when her horse Corialanus fell at 8b, the second element of a downhill combination on the two-star (now three-star) track, and never regained consciousness.

The horse was later put down after he was found to have broken his neck.

The joint inquest into Olivia’s death and that of 19-year-old Caitlyn Fischer, who died at Sydney International Horse trials on 30 April 2016, is being heard by deputy state coroner Derek Lee at the NSW Coroner’s Court.

(Image credit: Stephen Mowbray)

All three experts said they did not believe course design had been a factor in the death of Caitlyn, who was killed instantly when her horse Ralphie fell at the second fence of the one-star (now two-star).

It is thought that an error from the horse, who chipped in an extra stride on the approach, caused the rotational fall.

Questions over the handling of an Equestrian Australia review of Olivia’s accident emerged on Friday (24 May), when a safety investigator told the court she had been “frustrated” after her efforts to examine the teenager’s death had been “shut down”.

Australian website 7news reported that Samantha Farrar — a health and safety officer with more than 30 year’s experience, who is also the wife of Equestrian NSW chief executive Bruce Farrar —was told not to talk to some witnesses.

Mrs Farrar told the inquest that she had also been “blocked” from investigating the distance in the combination.

“I was just trying to get correct data and it was very difficult to get,” she said.

She added that at the time she had been “convinced it was poor striding” and had spoken with “a number of experts” about the matter.

“But I was told I wasn’t allowed to consider wider expert opinion,” she said.

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(Image credit: Stephen Mowbray)

Riders pay tribute to young eventer in viral #rideforolivia campaign

#rideforolivia has gone viral on social media with riders from across the world sharing pictures in tribute to Olivia Inglis

Olivia Inglis and Coriolanus. Photo courtesy of Stephen Mowbray (Image credit: Stephen Mowbray)

Inquest into teenage eventers’ deaths hears medic ‘didn’t know how to use equipment’

(Image credit: Stephen Mowbray)

Mrs Farrar discovered that another young rider, Rosie Cohen, had experienced difficulties with fence 8b the previous year, and had been “very nervous” about riding it again following a “near miss”.

She said she had been “shut down” by the panel when she suggested interviewing Rosie about the incident, where her horse had become “caught up”.

“In retrospect it would have been very useful to interview these riders, but at the time that wasn’t a directive,” she said.

The hearing continues.

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Inquest into teenage eventers’ deaths hears medic ‘didn’t know how to use equipment’

Sarah Radford — Sat, 18 May 2019 10:09:43 +0000

The mother of 17-year-old eventer Olivia Inglis, who was killed in a rotational fall three years ago, has told an inquest how the medic at the event “struggled” to use his equipment.

Charlotte Inglis, a respected rider and trainer in Australia, recalled how she had been watching from the warm-up area of Scone Horse Trials, New South Wales, on 6 March 2016 when she heard the news of the accident over the radio, and had rushed to her daughter’s side.

On arriving, she asked medic David Keys if Olivia, who was unconscious, was alive and he replied that she had a faint pulse.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Mrs Inglis described the medic as “very, very, nervous” and “fiddling with his equipment”.

She said she and her husband Arthur, who joined her at the scene, were “unaware we had a paramedic who didn’t know how to use his equipment and was unlicensed in basic St John’s Ambulance”.

While they believed governing body Equestrian Australia used medics from NSW Ambulance, they had in fact stopped doing so years earlier.

“We didn’t know a private company was on site that had a very different level of standards for the people they employ,” Mrs Inglis said. “He was faced with a very dire situation that would have been very stressful for him.”

Some 20 minutes after the fall, a doctor who was spectating at the event also attended, but Olivia had ruptured her pulmonary artery and despite the arrival of a Westpac air ambulance, nothing more could be done.

Olivia’s nine-year-old thoroughbred Coriolanus also had to be put down following the accident, as he was found to have fractured his neck.

Mrs Inglis told the NSW coroner’s court how she had expressed concerns over fence eight, where Olivia fell, while walking the course at the two-star event.

She said the unusually slim rails and lack of ground line at fence 8b — an oxer that formed the second part of a combination approached downhill — had prompted her to discuss her worries with Olympic rider Shane Rose as they walked to the warm-up.

She had advised Olivia to pull Corialanus up if he did not jump the earlier obstacles well. While the horse had a brilliant cross-country record, with only one mistake in 28 starts — including 13 at one-star level —he was less reliable showjumping and had six rails down at the horse trials that day.

Mrs Inglis said there needed to be a change in the culture of eventing and riders and coaches should speak up if they had concerns about certain fences, the Hunter Valley News reported.

The death of the experienced teenage rider drew support from the equestrian community around the world, with many posting pictures of themselves competing, using the hashtag RideforOlivia.

Less than two months later, a second experienced teenage rider, 19-year-old Caitlyn Fischer, also died in a rotational fall while competing in the one-star at Sydney International Horse trials on 30 April.

Her horse Ralphie chipped in an extra stride on the approach to fence two of the cross-country, a table, and landed on Caitlyn, who suffered a major head injury.

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(Image credit: Stephen Mowbray)

Riders pay tribute to young eventer in viral #rideforolivia campaign

#rideforolivia has gone viral on social media with riders from across the world sharing pictures in tribute to Olivia Inglis

(Image credit: Stephen Mowbray)

The Guardian reported the rider’s mother Ailsa, a trained nurse, had been standing 50m from the fence and raced over, but was aware immediately that her daughter had been killed.

The inquest into both deaths, which was opened by deputy state coroner Derek Lee on Monday (13 May) at the court at Lidcombe, is scheduled to run for two weeks.

A spokesman for Equestrian Australia told H&H the organisation’s “number one priority was the safety of its participants”.

“Equestrian Australia is fully co-operating with the coronial inquest into the tragic deaths of Caitlyn Fischer and Olivia Inglis, who are both greatly missed by our equestrian community every day,” he said.

“Equestrian Australia is respecting the coronial process and will not be commenting further on matters which are before the coroner.”

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French event rider dies after rotational fall

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 16:39:52 +0000

A French event rider has died while competing in an international event in Chateaubriant, France.

Maxime Debost and his horse Qurt de Montplaisir suffered a rotational fall at fence 11 of the CCI1* cross-country course today (23 September).

Medics were at the scene immediately, but the 29-year-old’s life could not be saved.

The rest of the day’s cross-country competition was cancelled and police and the FEI are “conducting a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident”.

“This is a really tragic accident and I know I speak on behalf of everyone in the equestrian community in expressing our grief at this terrible news about Maxime Debost,” said FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez.

“Maxime was a very experienced rider who had been competing internationally for the past 12 years and his loss will affect so many people in our community.

“On behalf of the FEI and everyone in the global eventing family, I extend our sincere condolences to Maxime’s family and his many friends in the sport, and to the French equestrian federation.

“We are working tirelessly to minimise the risk factors in our sport, particularly in eventing, and today’s accident brings home just how important this work is.”

Father of one Maxime had been competing internationally since 2005, including completing the CCI4* in Pau in 2010 with ITHaurel.

He finished third at Chateaubriant last year on Qurt de Montplaisir, who he also rode to ninth place at the Nations Cup event in Haras Du Pin last month. The 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding was uninjured in today’s fall.

Pascal Leborgne, president of the ground jury, said: “On very rare occasions a rider loses their life during a three-day event. This loss is a tragedy. On this sad occasion, the organising committee and the eventing world offers Maxime Debost’s family their thoughts and prayers.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Fifth event rider dies in seven months

Rachael Turner — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 15:24:12 +0000

A fifth event rider has died as the result of a cross-country fall this season.

Argentinean Santiago Zone was involved in a fatal fall at a national event last Saturday (1 October).

The 34-year-old was competing at Campo de Mayo horse trials in Buenos Aires when the accident took place.

“We have been informed by the national safety officer in Argentina that tragically there was a rider fatality at this national event,” an FEI spokesman told H&H.

The spokesman added that she had no further information at this stage.

It is understood Santiago, a married father-of-two, was a first lieutenant in the Argentine Army.

He had been competing at one-star level this year, riding two horses owned by the Argentine Army, Remonta Nunhil and Perdigon.

On 23 June, Santiago was placed fifth in the CCI* at Campo de Mayo horse trials with 11-year-old gelding Remonata Nunhil.

His brother Ignacio “Nacho” Zone is also an event rider.

Santiago is the fifth event rider to die in seven months.

Last month (10 September) Russian eventer Nikita Sotskov was involved in a fatal accidentwhile competing at the Ratomka Horse Trials.

Earlier this year (14 May), Philippa Humphreys, 33, died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall on the CCI3* cross-country course at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event in New Jersey, United States.

The previous month (30 April), Caitlyn Fischer, 19, suffered fatal injuries in the one-star at the Sydney International Horse Trials.

On 6 March, Olivia Inglis, 17, died from injuries she sustained in a fall in a national two-star competition at Scone Horse Trials, Australia.

Young eventer killed in rotational fall

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 22:22:54 +0000

A young international event rider suffered a fatal accident while competing at the Ratomka Horse Trials today (10 September).

Russian Nikita Sotskov and his horse Larry Carlton had a rotational fall at the second-last cross-country fence of the CIC3* course in Minsk, Belarus.

The FEI said medics were on the scene immediately after the accident, “but sadly the rider could not be saved”.

Larry Carlton suffered a minor leg injury.

“It is with a very heavy heart that we confirm the devastating loss of one of our community in this tragic accident at Ratomka today”, said FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez.

“Nikita Sotskov was one of Russia’s promising young riders and this news will have a profound effect on all those involved in the sport.

“On behalf of the FEI and the global eventing community, I extend our sincere condolences to Nikita Sotskov’s family and friends in the sport, and to the Russian and Belarusian equestrian federations.”

Nikita, 21, had represented Russia at two European championships, as a junior and a young rider, and was experienced at 2* level. Today was his first 3* competition.

The official FEI statement on the incident read: “Safety in equestrian sport is a top priority for the FEI and all national federations, and the FEI is working continuously to make the sport as safe as possible for all athletes, both human and equine. The circumstances of today’s accident will be fully reviewed.

“David O’Connor (USA) has been nominated to chair the FEI risk management working group which will focus on coordinating initiatives on a global basis, including technology developments, data and statistics, as well as further educational outreach for athletes, course designers, coaches and technical delegates.

“The working group’s remit is to look at all options to minimise risk factors and is in addition to the FEI’s continual work focused on improving safety in the sport.”

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Ground jury president Natallia Yuranava said that at all FEI events, “maximum consideration” is given to the safety and welfare of horses and riders.

He added: “On behalf of the whole sport I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Nikita Sotskov’s family.”

The Belarus equestrian federation also expressed “deepest condolence” to Nikita’s family.

Nikita is the fourth rider to have died as the result of a cross-country fall in the last six months.

Olivia Inglis, 17, died from injuries she sustained in a fall in a national two-star competition at Scone Horse Trials, Australia, on 6 March. Caitlyn Fischer, 19, suffered fatal injuries in the one-star at the Sydney International Horse Trials on 30 April.

Philippa Humphreys, 33, died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall on the CCI3* cross-country course at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event in New Jersey, United States, on 14 May.

Philippa Humphreys’ husband: ‘She knew the risks… and accepted them unconditionally’

Pippa Roome — Fri, 20 May 2016 11:59:14 +0000

The husband of Philippa Humphreys, the event rider who died in a fall at Jersey Fresh last Saturday (14 May), has said she knew the risks of eventing and “accepted them unconditionally”.

Peter Humpheys issued a statement yesterday (19 May), which concluded: “Philly lived and breathed the sport. For her, the cross-country was it. All the work, expense and endless hours of dedication, it all came down to the few minutes on the cross-country course. She knew the risks. We talked about them often. She accepted them unconditionally. She went out the way she would have wanted, doing what she loved more than anything else in the world, on her most treasured partner, Rockstar [stable name of Rich N Famous, the horse Philippa was riding when she had her fatal accident].”

British rider Philippa (née Richards), 33, was born in Chester. She moved to the United States in her early 20s and established a successful business in Rockford, Michigan, with Peter.

Since Philippa’s death, people have been contributing to a college fund for the couple’s six-month-old daughter, Millie, set up by the US Equestrian Federation’s Joanie Morris. So far, $58,457 has been raised.

Peter said: “Our darling little Millie keeps me strong. The overwhelming response to her college fund is unprecedented and I am in a state of shock to the amazing generosity. I wish I could thank each one of you in person. Please know that I am reading all the names and wonderful comments of love and support, and this helps me cope tremendously. She will have the pick of the best schools in the country thanks to your kindness and caring.”

Peter also paid tribute to everyone who has helped and supported him since Philippa’s death, with the start of the statement reading:

“From the bottom of my heart, I cannot thank everyone enough for the shower of sympathy and well wishes during these extremely difficult times — our families are incredibly grateful. Words cannot describe how I feel about the amazing outpouring of love and support. The tributes online and the endless stream of visitors, emails, flowers, text messages, have lifted me and given me a strength that I thought was not possible.

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British eventer killed in cross-country fall

Equifeast director apologises for article linking magnesium to eventing deaths

“I came home to the farm yesterday to find 40 friends on the premises. Some were bush hogging pastures while others were mowing grass and weed whacking. Flowers were being planted, delicious meals cooking and a heavy duty cleaning of our home was in full force by a gang of lovely ladies in rubber gloves.

“These were the ‘PHE Peeps’ in action, not to mention the horses being pulled in, fed and evening chores being finalised at the barn. What an amazing group of friends we have. Philly loved you all dearly, as do I. Every one of you has touched me deeply and I will never be able to thank you all enough.”

British eventer killed in cross-country fall

Carol Phillips — Sun, 15 May 2016 22:46:31 +0000

Philippa Humphreys, a 33-year-old British event rider based in Rockford, Michigan has died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall on the CCI3* cross-country course at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event in New Jersey, United States today (14 May).

Philippa fell at fence 16, a table, while riding her own 13-year-old coloured gelding Rich N Famous. The horse was not hurt in the incident.

A statement from Dan Wunderlich, chairman of the Jersey Fresh Three-Day Event, said: “It is with deep regret that we announce that rider No:52, Philippa Humphreys, 33, suffered fatal injuries in a fall at fence 16, the table, on the cross-country course of the CCI3* at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event.

“Humphreys, a British citizen living in Rockford, Michigan, was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in nearby Hamilton, NJ, where she was pronounced dead by the attending physician. Her horse, Rich N Famous, was uninjured.

“All of us connected with the Jersey Fresh International are deeply saddened by today’s tragic news and we extend our condolences to Philippa’s husband, Peter, and to her entire family.”

Philippa was a regular eventing competitor up to three-star level and a United States Eventing Federation ICP level II instructor. Born in Chester and having ridden since early childhood, Philippa moved to the United States in her early 20s and established a successful business with her husband Peter. They have a six-month-old daughter, Millie.

Philippa is the third rider to have died as the result of a cross-country fall during the past three months. Olivia Inglis, 17, died from injuries sustained in a fall in a national two-star competition at Scone Horse Trials in Australia on 6 March. Caitlyn Fischer, 19, suffered a fatal injuries in the one-star at the Sydney International Horse Trials on 30 April.

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Family pays tribute to young rider killed in eventing accident

‘Bonnie was a wonderful person who touched hearts’

Riders pay tribute to young girl with #BlueForBonnie campaign

A horse has also been put down in a separate incident during the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event. Inoui Van Bost, who was being ridden in the CCI2* by Skylar Decker, suffered serious injuries in a fall at fence 19 and was put down after being assessed at the New Jersey Equine Clinic in Millstone, New Jersey.

Young rider killed in eventing accident in Australia

Pippa Roome — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 08:04:58 +0000

A 19-year-old has died in an eventing accident in Australia.

A statement from the event organisers released this morning (Saturday, 30 April) read: “It is with the deepest regret that we announce Miss Caitlyn Fischer suffered a fatal accident while competing at the cross-country competition of the Sydney International Horse Trials at 10:40am on Saturday 30 April 2016.

“Caitlyn, aged 19 from Bairnsdale, Victoria, was riding the horse Ralphie in the one-star competition when the accident occurred at fence two.

“Caitlyn was provided urgent medical attention by the on-course paramedic and doctor but unfortunately was unable to be revived.

“Caitlyn’s horse Ralphie is in a stable condition and remains under the observation of veterinarians.”

Caitlyn had previously ridden Ralphie, her own 12-year-old part-thoroughbred gelding, in six CIC*s. They completed all of them apart from the first, in which they were eliminated for a rider fall, and had finished seventh at the level twice, including on their last international run at Camden, New South Wales. The pair were contesting the CCI* on this occasion.

Equestrian Australia chairwoman Judy Fasher said, “On behalf of the whole sport I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Caitlyn’s parents Ailsa Carr and Mark Fischer and her family. The thoughts and prayers of horse people all over the country are with Caitlyn’s family and friends at this sad time.”

Judy added during the press conference that Equestrian Australia had immediately launched its own investigation into the accident and that the organising committee and officials would be supporting the police investigation. She also said that Wayne Roycroft would be conducting the investigation on behalf of the FEI.

The rest of the event was cancelled. Before the accident, the CIC* competitors had already done their cross-country, as had most of the CCI* field, with CIC2*, CCI2*, CCI3*, CIC3* classes still to run, plus some national classes.

Related articles:

This is the second fatal eventing accident to happen in Australia in as many months. Olivia Inglis, 17, was killed on 6 March in a rotational fall at Scone Horse Trials while competing in a national two-star (CNC2*) competition. Her horse, Coriolanus, was initially thought to have only minor injuries, but was later put down after it was revealed he had suffered a displaced fracture in his neck.

Riders pay tribute to young eventer in viral #rideforolivia campaign

Lucy Elder — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:14:06 +0000

Riders across the world are sharing their favourite picture of themselves and their horse in a tribute to Olivia Inglis, who died in an eventing accident.

The 17-year-old died in a rotational fall on Sunday (6 March) while competing in the CNC2* at Scone Horse Trials in Australia.

Her family’s horse, Coriolanus, was put down yesterday (8 March) after vets found his injuries were worse than first thought.

The #rideforolivia campaign involves riders posting a photo of them and their horse on social media along with the hashtag.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

These images will then be incorporated into a mosaic of Olivia riding, to be presented to her family.

The hashtag has been shared more than 45,800 times on Instagram as well as thousands of times across other social media sites.

Riders of all disciplines and levels are taking part, including dressage star Charlotte Dujardin, jump jockey Aidan Coleman and eventers Laura Collett and William Fox-Pitt.

#rideforolivia today and every day pic.twitter.com/0GfTgA2voF #rideforolivia today and every day pic.twitter.com/0GfTgA2voF— Charlotte Dujardin (@CSJDujardin) March 8, 2016— Charlotte Dujardin (@CSJDujardin) March 8, 2016

A composite photo of Olivia riding through clouds with the caption “fly free, fly high”, by Allira Fontana Photography, has also been shared thousands of times.

Judy Fasher, of Equestrian Australia, told H&H a scholarship is being set up in Olivia’s memory that people can donate to.

“It will be called the Olivia Inglis Young Rider Scholarship and it will give a talented young rider the chance to travel overseas to train and compete,” she said.

Scone Horse Trials has donated its unpresented prize money to the foundation, set up in conjunction with Equestrian New South Wales.

Details on how to donate are set to be available tomorrow (10 March).

Continued below…

Teenager killed in eventing accident in Australia

Fatal eventing accident confirmed as rotational fall

Fence type: not a major factor in rotational falls

Olivia’s parents, Arthur and Charlotte Inglis, said they have been “overwhelmed” by the kindness and sympathy from family and friends throughout the school, equestrian and thoroughbred communities.

“We are so proud of Olivia and the beautiful young woman she was in every way,” they added.

The funeral service and celebration of Olivia’s life will be held at 11.30 am on 14 March at St Judes, Avoca Street Randwick, Sydney.

Fatal eventing accident confirmed as rotational fall

Carol Phillips — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 11:16:47 +0000

The death of Olivia Inglis, the 17-year-old rider who was killed while taking part in the CNC2* competition at Scone Horse Trials in Australia on Sunday 6 March, has been confirmed as being the result of a rotational fall.

Equestrian Australia told Horse & Hound that Olivia’s ride Coriolanus (pictured above competing at Wallaby Hill Equestrian Extravaganza in February 2016) left a leg at the B element of the eighth fence on the CNC2* course, which was a four-stride distance from a vertical to an oxer. The 11-year-old throughbred chestnut gelding rotated over the fence. Olivia’s life could not be saved despite the efforts of the medical team.

Judy Fasher of Equestrian Australia said: “Olivia was a great girl who was more than qualified to compete at this level. She had completed the CNC2* at the Sydney One Day Event with a clear cross-country round just three weeks ago.”

In a statement released on the website of the Inglis family’s bloodstock operation, Olivia’s parents Arthur and Charlotte said: “We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and sympathy from family and friends throughout the school, equestrian and thoroughbred communities.

“We are so proud of Olivia and the beautiful young woman she was in every way. We are blessed to have had the opportunity to share our passion for horses with our children. This has led us on a great journey where we have been able to spend countless happy moments and special family times. So much to celebrate and a life so joyous and well lived.”

Continued below…

Teenager killed in eventing accident in Australia

Riders pay tribute to young eventer in viral #rideforolivia campaign

Fence type: not a major factor in rotational falls

While initial reports suggested that the family’s horse Coriolanus had suffered only minor injuries in the fall, further investigations by the Scone Equine Hospital team revealed that he was suffering from a displaced fracture in his neck. As a result he has been put down.

The Inglis statement described him as “a talented competitor and loved family member [who] will be sadly missed”.

The funeral service and celebration of Olivia’s life will be held at 11.30am on Monday 14 March at St Judes, Avoca Street Randwick, Sydney.

Equestrians around the world have joined together to show their respect by posting pictures of themselves with their horses on social media alongside the hashtag #RideForOlivia.

Teenager killed in eventing accident in Australia

Carol Phillips — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 18:47:15 +0000

The eventing world is in shock this morning (6 March) following the death of Olivia Inglis, 17, at Scone Horse Trials in Australia.

The teenager was competing in her second national two-star (CNC2*) competition riding her family’s Coriolanus, an 11-year-old throughbred chestnut gelding. The pair had previously completed their first CNC2* competition – which has the same dimensions as an FEI two-star competition – with a clear cross-country round on 20 February.

The partnership had been together since 2013 and had enjoyed a number of successful results at national competitions including 13 runs at one-star level, gaining nine qualifying results along the way.

The accident took place on the cross-country. Olivia received urgent medical assistance from the on-course paramedic and doctor, plus the Westpac rescue helicopter service, but her life could not be saved.

In a statement, Equestrian Australia said: “It is with the deepest regret we announce that Olivia Inglis suffered a tragic accident while competing in the cross-country phase at the Scone Horse Trials, today Sunday 6 March.

“Olivia was riding the family’s Coriolanus in the two-star competition, this morning when the accident occurred.

“Olivia was given urgent medical attention, attended by the on-course paramedic, the on-course doctor and the Westpac rescue helicopter service but unfortunately was unable to be revived.

“Coriolanus is in a stable condition and remains under veterinary observation.

“The Scone Horse Trials committee and Equestrian Australia offer their heartfelt condolences to Charlotte and Arthur Inglis and their family for their tragic loss.”

No further details of the accident are currently available. Counselling services have been set up for those affected.

The remainder of Scone Horse Trials has been cancelled.

French event rider dies following fall last year

Amy Mathieson — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 14:53:16 +0000

French event rider Guillaume Pucci has died after being in a medically-induced coma for seven months.

The eventer and riding instructor was injured when he fell at Le Pouget last November. He died on Sunday 14 June.

The 28-year-old suffered a cranial hematoma in the fall.

He was riding Schatzie Du Parc at the event in southern France. The horse — a nine-year-old selle Francais mare — was not hurt in the accident.

A spokesman from the French Equestrian Federation told H&H: “Guillaume Pucci was hurt at fence number eight of the cross-country test of the CIC2* organised at Le Pouget in the south of France on 16 November.

“Badly injured he was supported and operated in Montpellier’s hospital and then moved to Bordeaux’s hospital.

“He was in coma since then, but died on Sunday 14 June.”

As well as a rider Guillaume also taught at his family’s equestrian centre and was a well-respected trainer.

Guillaume competed at Boekelo last year with Enzo Van’t Vennehof. The pair finished 60th and it was the rider’s first CCI3*.

He also competed at Blair Castle in the CIC3* with Qualisco D’Harreville.

Guillaume died on the anniversary of the deaths of riders Benjamin Winter and Jordan McDonald, who were both killed in falls on 14 June 2014.

His is the third death in Europe in eventing this year.

In February Portuguese eventer Francisco Seabra died while competing at the Alegra Rancho Eventing Tour de Utrera in Sevilla, Spain (14 February).

Francisco, 30, was riding 12-year-old Aferzysta in the CIC2* when they fell at the third element of a water obstacle at fence 10C. The rider was attended by a doctor and team of paramedics at the scene. Aferzysta was not injured.

In April 25-year-old Italian rider Sabrina Manganaro suffered a fatal accident while competing at a national event.

Her horse Fante di Mezzograno fell at fence 13 “causing immediate death”. The horse was uninjured.

Event rider was wearing substandard body protector when he died, reveals inquest

Catherine Austen — Wed, 13 May 2015 10:22:31 +0000

An inquest into the death of Jordan McDonald at Nunney Horse Trials last year has reported that his body protector did not meet British Eventing safety standards.

The 30-year-old Canadian rider (pictured above riding Prince Mayo at Aston Le Walls) was competing Only Me in a novice section at Nunney in Somerset on 14 June, 2014. The pair had a rotational fall at fence 7a on the cross-country course and Jordan suffered “fatal chest injuries”, the inquest found.

When returning a verdict of accidental death, Tim Hayden, assistant coroner for East Somerset, said: “The horse struck the jump with its front legs and slowly rotated across the jump and on to the other side, throwing its rider, Jordan McDonald, to the ground and landing full square on top of him.

“There were multiple fractures on each side of the ribcage, four on one side and five on the other and a laceration of the lung which made the process of resuscitation very difficult and subsequently impossible.”

Accident and emergency consultant Dr Michael Whitlock, who was on duty at the event, said that Jordan’s body protector – which was from Canada – would not have met British Eventing safety standards, set in 2000. He was not also wearing an air jacket, which are optional under British Eventing rules.

“The horse and the saddle and stirrups fell on the rider, with the saddle causing most of the damage,” he said.

“The area where the lung was damaged probably had no protection. It is difficult to predict the severity of the injuries if a Class Three body protector would have been worn.

“It is possible that the laceration to the lung could have been avoided, which would have given the doctors more chance of saving his life.”

The coroner said: “Given the evidence I have heard about the importance of back protectors in the possibility of a death not being a death, I hope that British Eventing will look again at that section of the rules.”

British Eventing has responded with a statement saying: “Following the outcome of yesterday’s inquest, BE would like to confirm that they are reviewing the current rules contained within the Members’ Handbook.”

Police investigate death of Italian event rider

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 12:55:56 +0000

A police investigation into the death of Italian event rider Sabrina Manganaro is ongoing.

The eventing community was in shock earlier this month after Sabrina was killed in a fall at a national event.

She was competing in a pre-novice section of a national event in Cuceglio, Italy, on 12 April.

“Her horse Fante Di Mezzograno fell at fence 13 at 10.50am, causing the immediate death,” said the Italian Equestrian Federation (FISE).

The 25-year-old rider was attended to by doctors at the event, but could not be saved. The horse was uninjured. Reports suggest her death might be the result of a rotational fall.

An FISE spokesman told H&H that said an investigation into her death was ongoing. He added that a police inquiry is “standard procedure for an accident of this type in Italy”.

“The magistrate opens an official inquiry and all people who are deemed directly involved are put under investigation,” he said.

The course-designer, technical delegate and event director are all under investigation.

In Britain, similar protocol does not apply.

“We cannot comment on what may or may not be happening in other nations nor would we because it would be inappropriate,” said British Eventing’s Mike Etherington-Smith.

“What we can say is that the world in which course-designers work is one that is not easy.

“The advent of rider reps several years ago was formalising the relationship between officials and riders and this relationship is very good. Riders can at any time approach officials with concerns that they may have about a fence, which is a positive development.

“We are all in the sport because we enjoy it, we know what the risks are and have to accept them whatever our role.”

Sabrina’s death was the second in two months, after Francisco Seabra was killed at an event in Spain in February.

Second event rider killed in fall inside two months

Amy Mathieson — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 16:45:18 +0000

Italian event rider Sabrina Manganaro (pictured top) has been killed in a fall.

Her death was confirmed this afternoon (Sunday 12 April) by the Italian Equestrian Federation (FISE).

A statement from the FISE sent to H&H read: “It is with the deepest regret that we announce that Sabrina Manganaro suffered a fatal accident while competing in a pre-novice (cat. 3) at the national eventing competition in Cuceglio (TO) in Italy on Sunday 12 April.

“Her horse Fante di Mezzograno fell at fence 13 at 10.50am causing the immediate death.”

The 25-year-old rider was attended to by doctors at the event, but could not be saved. The horse was uninjured.

“The President of the Italian Equestrian Federation, Vittorio Orlandi and his board members, on behalf of the Italian equestrian community would like to extend their deepest sympathy to Sabrina’s family in this tragic moment,” continued the statement.

Italian Eventing Association (ANCCE) tweeted: “Bad news for Italian eventing. Sabrina Manganaro died after a fall during an eventing competition. Condolences to family and relatives.”

Sabrina, of Lonate Pozzolo, was riding at the national event in San Giorgio Canavese, Turin. Local reports suggest she may have been killed as the result of a rotational fall when the horse fell on her.

“Our thoughts go out to Sabrina Manganaro’s family and friends at this very difficult time,” said an FEI spokesperson. “The Italian National Federation, in its role as the national governing body, will be investigating this accident.”

This is the second death in Europe in eventing in as many months.

Earlier this year Portuguese eventer Francisco Seabra died while competing at the Alegra Rancho Eventing Tour de Utrera in Sevilla, Spain (14 February).

Francisco, 30, was riding 12-year-old Aferzysta in the CIC2* when they fell at the third element of a water obstacle at fence 10C. The rider was attended by a doctor and team of paramedics at the scene. Aferzysta was not injured.

Mark Phillips: ‘The sport has to change’ [H&H VIP]

Mark Phillips — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 08:55:15 +0000

The start of a new season is here and already we have experienced sadness and are embroiled in controversy.

Francisco Seabra, who was killed in a fall in Spain last month, was a decent rider, having competed at the World Equestrian Games. Portables tipping over — as reportedly happened here — is every designer and builder’s nightmare. It’s happened to me twice and I was lucky that no one was hurt.

I write from central Texas, so could not be at Heathrow for the FEI meeting with the International Event Riders Association and course-designers to discuss the new rule giving riders an automatic 21 penalties for breaking a frangible fence.

Riders are obviously worried that they could clip a rail with the back feet, break a device and lose big money or forfeit a medal. Many organisers and designers share their view.

Our fence judges are volunteers, but even for experts it’s really difficult to tell if a pin has started to bend or a touch of tension has been lost from the reverse pin wire or rope.

The only way to guarantee fair play is to change a device every time it is hit. Obviously this is impractical — it would be expensive and time-consuming as since time began horse have used their hindlegs on rails going into coffins, sunken roads, quarries and drop fences. It’s part of the balancing process even when the fence is ridden well.

Such is the concern of organisers — who want a result on the Sunday night and not an impending visit to the Court of Arbitration for Sport — that at Kentucky, Luhmühlen and Burghley it’s been decided to replace frangible rails that might be broken by hindleg contact with old-fashioned logs or short-backed cabins. This is surely a retrograde step in trying to reduce the risk of serious injury.

The trouble is, I think the new rule is a good one with fences out in the open. We have had too many serious accidents where riders have not respected straightforward jumps enough. I’m not sure that the rule can differentiate between the two, but hopefully by the time you read this a compromise will have been reached.

Is this the future?

Just over a month ago I was course-designer in an eventing showcase in Wellington, Florida. The organisers there could not get a date from the governing body, so decided to put up $50,000 (£33,000) of prize money and run unaffiliated. It’s a similar frustration many organisers have suffered in this country, although not a solution we’ve seen often.

We ran an advanced dressage test, Richard Jeffery designed a 1.25–1.30m showjumping course and I did a 2,000m cross-country course with 20 jumping efforts at 535mpm, so a slower, shorter version of a regular CIC3*. Every part of every phase could be seen from the hospitality tent. The result was a huge success, enjoyed by spectators, sponsors and TV, as it was so easy to cover.

What if this was the future of the Olympic sport? What if teams were seeded like a tennis tournament, with a top and bottom half of the draw? Sixteen teams could be whittled down to four for a final medal showdown.

Countries could nominate teams of four, but in every round could only run three. Everyone would have to ride competitively to stay in the game. You could run a similar knockout contest and a second showjumping round for the individual medals.

The whole thing could be done in an area the size of a couple of polo pitches and with portables you could have a different course every week. The possibilities are endless.

There is no question that the sport has to change — nothing is forever, even if Badminton and Burghley survive in their existing form. Princess Haya has recently commissioned Charles Barnett, formerly the boss at Aintree and then Ascot racecourses, to look at new ideas for eventing and I hope he studies this one.

Riders and owners in the US are also pushing for a new rule that if an organiser puts up a certain prize fund they can choose their date, in an effort to raise prize money and break old-fashioned protectionist policies. You know this one is not going to be universally popular!

Ref: H&H 12 March, 2015

Riders wear armbands to honour Francisco Seabra

Pippa Roome — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 12:25:15 +0000

Eventers competing at Barroca d’Alva in Portugal are wearing armbands honouring the memory of Francisco Seabra, the eventer who died in a fall in Spain last month (14 February).

The cream, black and blue armbands show the Portuguese rider’s silhouette and initials, with the words “Faith” and “Smile” in four languages.

“It was the show organisers’ idea and they gave all the riders the armbands. It’s been well supported by everyone and it’s amazing how strong the Seabras have been — they set a real example of a family,” said Brazilian rider Ruy Fonseca.

Francisco, 30, fell at the third element of a water obstacle at fence 10c while competing in the CIC2* at the Alegra Rancho Eventing Tour de Utrera in Sevilla, Spain. He was riding 12-year-old Aferzysta, who was not injured.

British competitor David Doel added: “There are stickers and posters everywhere for Francisco — on all the quad bikes and the front of cars. The horseworld out here is so small and almost everyone is related. It’s really nice to see how much love there is for him.”

David has started his season in Portugal every year since 2013, having sampled the charms of the area when he collected junior European team gold and individual bronze at Vale Sabroso in 2011 riding Kings Cross. Last weekend (26 February-1 March), he won the CIC2* on Miss Caruso and was the runner-up in the CIC* on Eisfee. Belgian rider Karin Donckers took the CIC* on Lady Brown.

This weekend (4-8 March) riders have the opportunity to contest a CIC3*, CCI2* or CCI* at the same venue, and David’s horses will both be stepping up to a CCI at their respective levels.

Read more about David’s success at Barroca d’Alva in next week’s H&H (12 March), as well as a report from Isleham and Mark Phillips’ first column of 2015.

Event rider killed in cross-country fall

Carol Phillips — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 15:58:34 +0000

Portuguese eventer Francisco Seabra died while competing at the Alegra Rancho Eventing Tour de Utrera in Sevilla, Spain earlier today (14 February 2015).

Francisco, 30, was riding 12-year-old Aferzysta in the CIC2* when they fell at the third element of a water obstacle at fence 10C. The rider was attended by a doctor and team of paramedics at the scene. Aferzysta was not injured.

Francisco made his senior championship debut at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Caen riding Zarthago (pictured top competing at Blenheim in 2012).

Aferzysta had previously been ridden by 18-year-old Bernardo Seabra at one-star level last season, including at the Junior Europeans at Bishop Burton, before Duarte Sebra took on the ride in the CCI2* at Weston Park.

President of the event’s ground jury Alain James said in an official statement on the Alegra Rancho Eventing Tour website: “On behalf of all the sports world, I would like to extend my heartfelt considerations to the family of Mr Francisco Seabra.”

The FEI has confirmed it will conduct an investigation into the accident.

The eventing world has taken to twitter to express their shock and grief at the news.

My thoughts and prays are with Francisco's family at this dreadful time. #FranciscoSeabraRIPMy thoughts and prays are with Francisco's family at this dreadful time. #FranciscoSeabraRIP— Ben Hobday (@BenHobday) February 14, 2015— Ben Hobday (@BenHobday) February 14, 2015

In completely shock. Such a huge loss to the eventing family and the Barroca family. All my love and thoughts with Francisco's family.In completely shock. Such a huge loss to the eventing family and the Barroca family. All my love and thoughts with Francisco's family.— Althea Bleekman (@ABleekman) February 14, 2015— Althea Bleekman (@ABleekman) February 14, 2015

Staggered to hear the dreadful news of poor Francisco Seabra – a charming guy who will be missed hugely by the whole eventing community.Staggered to hear the dreadful news of poor Francisco Seabra – a charming guy who will be missed hugely by the whole eventing community.— Harry Meade (@Harry_Meade) February 15, 2015— Harry Meade (@Harry_Meade) February 15, 2015

Will raise a glass to Cisco tonight. Top class #eventer on horseback & top man off a horse. We've just lost another one of the good guysWill raise a glass to Cisco tonight. Top class #eventer on horseback & top man off a horse. We've just lost another one of the good guys— Bruce Haskell (@kiwieventer) February 14, 2015— Bruce Haskell (@kiwieventer) February 14, 2015

Sandra Auffarth to take on Ispo in Benjamin Winter’s memory

Ellie Hughes — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 13:00:08 +0000

German eventer Sandra Auffarth is to take over the reins on Ispo, the horse Benjamin Winter was riding when he suffered a fatal fall at Luhmühlen in June 2014.

The reigning world champion said that the decision was not an easy one given the circumstances and emotions involved, but that she will ride the horse in Benjamin’s memory.

“Ben was not only a colleague, but also a very good friend,” she said. “At the request of the Winter family I am taking on Ispo. Ben was always convinced of this horse. I will do everything with Ispo in his name and in his spirit.”

Benjamin had taken on the 10-year-old Westphalian gelding as a five-year-old from the Warendorf stable. The pair made smooth progress through the levels, coming eighth at Boekelo CCI3* in 2012, winning the CIC2* at Luhmühlen in 2013 and going on to finish 18th at the European Championship in Malmo later in the year.

The combination were taking part in their first CCI4* at Luhmühlen when the accident happened.

Sandra, who was competing her top horse, Opgun Louvo, in the CIC3* at the time, withdrew from the competition after showjumping while in the lead because she was so upset about her friend’s death.

She and her family auctioned a training course earlier this month, which coincided with a sale of top event horses, which they host annually at their base in Ganderkesee, near Bremen. Proceeds went to the Benjamin Winter Foundation benefit, which campaigns for greater safety in competitions.

Ispo will be a third string to Sandra’s international bow. As well as Opgun Louvo the 27-year-old also has the Irish-bred The Blue Frontier to campaign. The 13-year-old gelding recorded several CIC3* top 10 placings last year, including finishing fourth at Renswoude.

Looking back at eventing’s darkest day when 2 riders lost their lives [VIP H&H]

Sophia Heath — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 08:00:26 +0000

In one of the darkest days in eventing’s history, 2 riders were killed at separate events on Saturday (14 June). Both deaths were caused by rotational falls.

German rider Benjamin Winter died after a fall in the CCI4* in Luhmühlen. Britain-based Canadian Jordan McDonald was killed while riding in a novice section at Nunney in Somerset.

Benjamin (pictured top) was lying 14th after the dressage with Ispo and had already jumped clear with his first ride, Wild Thing Z.

Ispo, a 10-year-old gelding, hit the large table at fence 20 (pictured below), causing him to rotate and fall on top of his rider. The 25-year-old was taken by helicopter to Borberg Hospital in Hamburg, but was pronounced dead on arrival from head injuries. Ispo was unharmed.

Fence 20 at Luhmuhlen, a large table (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The same afternoon Jordan — who had competed up to 2-star level — was riding his own Only Me in the 7-year-old gelding’s first novice when he had a rotational fall at fence 7 at Nunney.

Fence 7 at Nunney, a hanging log on a downhill slope (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Some media outlets reported that Jordan’s death has been caused by a cardiac arrest, but this is believed to be incorrect.

“Jordan died as a result of injuries sustained from the fall,” said a spokesman from British Eventing (BE).

Only Me was also not injured in the fall.

Bright young star

Benjamin was one of Germany’s emerging talents and had been a member of junior and young rider teams. He was 13th in Luhmühlen at the 2011 European Championships and 18th at last year’s in Malmö.

Benjamin was also well known on the British circuit and finished 10th and 12th in last year’s under-25 CCI3* at Bramham.

It is understood that the rider from Dortmund was wearing an air jacket at the time of the fall, but that his death was caused by impact to the head rather than crush injuries.

Dr Annette Lorey-Tews, chief medical officer at Luhmühlen, said it had been an “unlucky accident”.

“He fell face first and there was bleeding in his brain. It’s not a typical riding accident — it could happen falling off your bike,” she said.

After discussions with Benjamin’s family, it was decided that competition should go ahead on Sunday (15 June) and a memorial service was held before the showjumping phase.

His mother Sybille Winter said her son’s biggest concern would have been that his accident could have a negative impact on the sport he loved.

German team manager and former British rider Christopher Bartle paid tribute to the popular rider at the service.

“We have lost a talented young rider and, above all, a friend and a fun-loving guy who had decided to make horse sport and, in particular, eventing his life,” said Christopher.

“We are all shocked and in deep sadness at our loss, and our thoughts at this time are very much with Ben’s family and his close friends.

“But we can also be strong. We can hold our heads up high in the knowledge that Ben lost his life doing what he so much wanted to do. The sport of eventing was his life, his passion.”

Devastating news

Canada-born Jordan, who had previously lived in Ontario, had moved to the UK with his wife Shandiss last year. He was based in Leicestershire and had not had a cross-country jumping penalty while competing in England.

Jordan McDonald, pictured here at Belton with Prince Mayo (Image credit: creditUnknown)

As well as being an accomplished rider, he was a talented musician and a qualified commercial airline pilot.

Shandiss, who finished 15th at the CIC3* at Burnham Market this spring, was also competing at the event.

Graeme Thom, chair of Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee, said: “The entire Canadian eventing community is devastated by this tragic event.

“I have known Jordan as a great friend for over a dozen years and as a member of our national team programme. My heart goes out to Shandiss, his lovely wife, and deepest love to his fantastic parents, caring siblings and all relations.”

Canadian eventing coach Clayton Fredericks also added his condolences.

“They left everything in Canada to go to the UK and pursue their riding career,” he told H&H. “They were very determined and a lovely couple.

“They had been dating since they were 14 or 15 so it’s going to be very hard for Shandiss. It’s a sad loss for Canadian eventing.”

Course questions

The accidents will be fully investigated, but they both took place at straight-forward fences.

Luhmühlen had been criticised in the past, particularly by the German media, for being too testing. Last year, there were 5 horse falls at fence 4 and Emeric George’s P’tite Bombe was put down after hitting fence 12.

Switzerland’s Ernst Bauman was killed at the World Championships held at the venue in 1982.

Course-designer Mark Phillips was at a loss to explain the number of falls that happened this year — 6 rider and 2 horse falls. Britain’s Georgie Spence broke her collarbone in a fall from Wii Limbo and Tom Crisp’s ride Liberal also died on the course.

“I feel sick to my stomach,” Mark said. “We had a course that a lot of people thought was easier than last year, we had perfect conditions, great footing, a sunny day.”

He added that one of the issues was that the bad accidents were happening at “straightforward” fences — including the table fence where Benjamin fell.

“It’s a fence that you need to give the horse time to see and jump,” said Mark. “I spoke to Chris Bartle earlier today and he said that he had said exactly the same to Benjamin when he walked the course with him. Ben didn’t do that and he paid an unacceptable price.”

Fence 7 where Jordan fell was a hanging log fence with mushroom decorations on a slight downhill slope.

“It has been jumped hundreds of times over the past 3 years in courses at both Pony Club and BE 1-day events,” said a BE spokesman.

There have now been 9 fatal falls at novice and 1 at BE100 in the UK since 1982.

“The initial report indicates that the horse may have left a leg at the fence; a thorough investigation is currently under way,” confirmed a BE spokesman.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (19 June, 2014)

Second rider killed on black day for eventing

Carol Phillips — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 17:51:47 +0000

On a harrowing day for the sport of eventing, it has been confirmed that a 2nd rider has died.

Jordan McDonald (pictured riding Glencento at Belton earlier this year), a 30-year-old Canadian based in Leicestershire, was riding in a novice section at Nunney International Horse Trials in Somerset when he suffered a fatal accident.

His horse, Only Me, a 7-year-old gelding, was not injured. No information has been released about the exact circumstances surrounding the accident which lead to the rider’s death.

The rest of the day’s competition was abandoned, although tomorrow’s classes are expected to go ahead.

British Eventing released the following statement:

“It is with the deepest regret that we announce that Mr Jordan McDonald died today as a result of a fatal accident whilst competing at Nunney British Eventing Affiliated One Day Event in Somerset at 13.29pm on Saturday 14th June 2014.

“Jordan was aged 30 and based in Leicestershire, but is Canadian by nationality. He had been married to Shandiss for one year.”

Earlier today it was confirmed that German rider Benjamin Winter had also been killed. He suffered a rotational fall in the CCI4* cross-country in Luhmuhlen.

Rider killed in rotational fall at Luhmühlen

Carol Phillips — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 15:24:01 +0000

The eventing world is in a state of shock following the death of Germany’s Benjamin Winter at Luhmühlen Horse Trials earlier today.

Benjamin was on his 2nd ride in the CCI4*, Ispo, (pictured above competing at Houghton International in 2013) when they suffered a rotational fall at fence number 20, a table. The 10-year-old gelding was not injured.

The German rider had already completed the course clear inside the time on his first ride, Wild Thing Z.

The event released the following statement: “It is with the deepest regret and sadness that we announce that Benjamin Winter (GER) suffered a fatal accident while competing at the CCI4* in Luhmühlen.

“On behalf of the whole sport, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Benjamin’s family.

“At every FEI event, the maximum consideration is given to the safety and welfare of horses and competitors. The causes of this accident will be further investigated by all parties.”

Earlier in the day Tom Crisp’s ride, Liberal, collapsed and died after fence 7. It is thought he suffered an aortic rupture. Tom was not hurt in the fall and described the horse as “a great friend”.

In a devastating day for the sport, competition at Nunney International Horse Trials in Somerset was cancelled following an incident on the cross-country. More to follow.

Full report on the cross-country action from Luhmühlen to come.

Tributes paid to event rider Tom Gadsby killed at Somerford Park

Flora Watkins — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 14:00:53 +0000

The mother of Tom Gadsby — the young New Zealander who died in a rotational fall on Sunday (18 August) — has spoken of her pride at watching him compete just days earlier.

Louise Gadsby had spent a week with Tom shortly before he was killed, visiting London and Paris.

She told a local newspaper in New Zealand: “It was a special time.

“I just thank God that I went over there and we had that time together.”

Mrs Gadsby was flying home when the accident happened. She is returning to England with other family members, to collect Tom’s body.

She added: “Tom was becoming really well-known really quickly and I just felt at last he’s got the chance to be where he wants to go.

“It’s been his passion since he was a very little boy. He’d be 5 years old, out in the dark, brushing and plaiting and packing up all the gear.”

Tom, 26, died shortly after his horse hit fence 4B in the CIC* at the Cheshire event. His mount, a 7-year-old coloured gelding called The Drover, was unhurt.

Tom had been working as stable jockey to former Team GBR rider, Diana “Tiny” Clapham at her Eventers International business in Huntingdon, Cambs, since May.

A statement on the Eventers International Facebook page read: “Words cannot express how we feel after the tragic loss of Tom.

“He was without doubt a truly exceptional horseman, a thoughtful and kind person with a flamboyant personality. Tom was part of our family.

“Tom was a smart, intelligent man with a great love of horses, dogs and people.

“There is a massive void at Eventers without Tom. Thinking of you always. RIP, Tiny, Sarah, Meghan, Annabelle and James.”

Event rider killed at Somerford Park Horse Trials is named

Amy Mathieson — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 09:01:43 +0000

The eventer who died at Somerford Park yesterday (Sunday 18 August) has been named as New Zealand rider Tom Gadsby.

Tom, who was 26 years old, was fatally injured in a fall on the cross-country course at Somerford Park Horse Trials in Congleton, Cheshire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. British Eventing confirmed to H&H that it was a rotational fall.

The remainder of the event was abandoned.

The Kiwi rider (pictured at Great Witchingham with Cadillac) had been competing in the UK since last year and was based with Tiny Clapham near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

He had previously competed up to intermediate level in eventing in his native New Zealand before concentrating in showjumping. He then decided to switch back to eventing in 2012.

Tom was riding 7-year-old skewbald gelding The Drover in the 1-star class when he fell at fence 4B. The horse was unhurt.

“On behalf of Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESZN) members, I express our sincerest condolences to Tom’s family and close friends,” said Jim Ellis of ESNZ.

“Tom was a talented showjumper and eventer who was in Europe to fulfill his dream of competing as a professional event rider — a dream he achieved, but which has been tragically cut short.”

British Eventing’s Mike Etherington-Smith added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family at this really sad time.”

Rider killed at Somerford Park Horse Trials

Carol Phillips — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 18:03:40 +0000

The eventing world is reeling from the news a rider was killed in a fall in the CIC1* at Somerford Park Horse Trials earlier today (Sunday 18 August).

Somerford Park abandoned the competition following the incident.

In a statement from British Eventing, BE Chief Executive Mike Etherington-Smith said: “We would ask that at this extremely sad time that people using social media respect the fact that the rider’s family may not be aware of the accident today.”

But the eventing world had already turned to twitter to express shock at the news and offer support to the rider’s family and friends.

Sad end to a top class event @somerfordpark. Thoughts & prayers are with family & friends. #RIPSad end to a top class event @somerfordpark. Thoughts & prayers are with family & friends. #RIP— Esib Power (@powereventing) August 18, 2013— Esib Power (@powereventing) August 18, 2013

Absolutely devastated to hear the news from @somerfordpark . I just can’t believe it. Thoughts go out to all friends and family. XxxAbsolutely devastated to hear the news from @somerfordpark . I just can’t believe it. Thoughts go out to all friends and family. Xxx— Ginny Howe (@GinnyHoweEvent) August 18, 2013— Ginny Howe (@GinnyHoweEvent) August 18, 2013

Sad news from @somerfordpark …. Our thoughts are with family and friends at this timeSad news from @somerfordpark …. Our thoughts are with family and friends at this time— Zanie King (@zanie2009) August 18, 2013— Zanie King (@zanie2009) August 18, 2013

Such sad news from Somerford – just awful. Thoughts are with family and friendsSuch sad news from Somerford – just awful. Thoughts are with family and friends— Aoife Clark (@Aoifeclark) August 18, 2013— Aoife Clark (@Aoifeclark) August 18, 2013

Devastating news about the rider killed at Somerford. My thoughts go out to everyone who knew him. Cruel sport!!!Devastating news about the rider killed at Somerford. My thoughts go out to everyone who knew him. Cruel sport!!!— Georgie Spence (@georgiespence23) August 18, 2013— Georgie Spence (@georgiespence23) August 18, 2013

Horrific news from Somerford. Once again it’s a reminder of how precious this life is and how real the risks are in our wonderful sport.Horrific news from Somerford. Once again it’s a reminder of how precious this life is and how real the risks are in our wonderful sport.— EmilyBaldwinEventing (@EBEventing) August 18, 2013— EmilyBaldwinEventing (@EBEventing) August 18, 2013

Devastating news from Somerford Park today…. Thoughts are with friends and family. Really puts life into perspective. #RIPDevastating news from Somerford Park today…. Thoughts are with friends and family. Really puts life into perspective. #RIP— Laura Collett (@CollettEventing) August 18, 2013— Laura Collett (@CollettEventing) August 18, 2013

Horrendous news from @somerfordpark event. What a harsh reminder of how cruel this sport & life can be. My thoughts r with family & friends.Horrendous news from @somerfordpark event. What a harsh reminder of how cruel this sport & life can be. My thoughts r with family & friends.— Kitty King (@kittyeventing) August 18, 2013— Kitty King (@kittyeventing) August 18, 2013

Horrendous news from Somerford today,truely awful.Harsh reminder of what a dangerous sport we are part of.Thoughts are with his family #RIPHorrendous news from Somerford today,truely awful.Harsh reminder of what a dangerous sport we are part of.Thoughts are with his family #RIP— Emily King (@emilykingg_) August 18, 2013— Emily King (@emilykingg_) August 18, 2013

Tragic day for eventing worldwide.Tragic day for eventing worldwide.— Bruce Haskell (@kiwieventer) August 18, 2013— Bruce Haskell (@kiwieventer) August 18, 2013

British Eventing has confirmed that the rider will not be named today.

Bruno Bouvier killed in cross-country fall at Barroca D’Alva

Carol Phillips — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 18:53:55 +0000

French international event rider Bruno Bouvier was killed in a fall on the cross-country phase of Barroca D’Alva horse trials in Portugal earlier today.

The 60-year-old event rider had a rotational fall at fence five, a triple brush, while riding the 10-year-old gelding Arcilloso III in the CIC** competition. Bruno suffered fatal injuries as a result, but his horse was not hurt.

Tributes have been flooding in from his fellow event riders on twitter.

Gemma Tattersall: “Totally gutted and sad to hear about Bruno Bouvier RIP you were such a great man. #terrible”

Ruth Edge: “R.I.P Bruno Bouvier such a sad loss of a great man.”

Andrew Heffernan: “Such sad news about Bruno Bouvier. A great guy who was a real character and will be sadly missed.”

Dan Jocelyn: “Extremely saddened to hear of the news of Bruno B today. Good friend, great rider, condolences to his family. Great ambassador for eventing.”

Barroca d’Alva event director Nicholas Melbourne Hart and president of the ground jury Jose Miguel Mexia de Almeida expressed their profund regret via a statement released by the FEI.

“On behalf of the whole sport, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Bruno Bouvier’s family and to all his friends in the equestrian world,” they said.

Bruno had competed at the highest level, including regularly travelling to the UK for Badminton, Blenheim and Burghley, during his career.

The FEI said a police inquiry had been launched into the accident.

Austrian eventer dies in rotational fall

Charlotte White — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:35:28 +0000

An Austrian event rider has died in a fall during a training session with her coach.

Irene Dempsey, aged 30, was cross-country schooling with her instructor Harald Siegl at the Theresian Military Academy in Wiener Neustadt when she fell from her horse, Last Girl Standing on 21 September.

They reportedly suffered a rotational fall and Mrs Dempsey broke her neck. The horse was uninjured.

The pair had competed at the same venue just 10 days before, at the Austrian National CIC** championships (9-11 September).

The Austrian Eventing Federation has set up a fund to support Mrs Dempsey’s seven-year-old daughter, whose father is also dead.

Event rider killed in fall at Italian horse trials

Horse & Hound — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 14:16:46 +0000

A 22-year-old Austrian event rider has been killed while competing at Montelibretti International Horse Trials in Italy.

Sebastian Steiner suffered a fatal accident while competing at the event in Italy on 18 September 2010.

Steiner was riding Cartago, a 15-year-old gelding, when they fell at fence number 11. The horse was not injured in the incident.

President of the Ground Jury, Mrs Christina Klingspor, said: “On behalf of the whole sport, I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Sebastian’s family.”

The circumstances of the accident are now the subject of an investigation.

Belton inquest calls for better BE rider representatives

Charlotte White — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:51:50 +0000

British Eventing (BE) must improve the rider representatives system following the death of Ian Olding, at Belton Horse Trials in April 2009, a coroner has requested.

The 47-year-old Northern Irish rider died of extensive skull fractures and brain trauma after his horse somersaulted at fence 13a on the advanced course, landing on Mr Olding’s head and chest.

An inquest into his death took place at Grantham on Thursday 22 April.

Belton course-designer Sue Benson and the horse trials team did everything in accordance with BE regulations, acknowledged Lincolnshire coroner Stuart Fisher.

But he recommended changes based on a report by health and safety officers at Kesteven District Council, who questioned riders who had jumped the fence before Mr Olding.

“I am concerned that young and less-experienced riders felt a reluctance to report concerns about the course to their rider reps, for fear of seeming foolish or being thought a troublemaker,” said Dr Fisher.

The coroner was concerned that only two fences on the Belton course were fitted with frangible pins designed to break on impact.

He asked BE to increase the types of jumps which can be made breakable.

National eventing safety officer Jonathan Clissold said BE is field-testing a new type of frangible pin fitting this season and creating a collapsible jump with Bristol University.

The coroner’s final request was that BE controls the use of model animals and mannequins as fence dressing.

In a statement to Kesteven DC, Mrs Benson vowed not to use figurines again.

The coroner returned a verdict of accidental death.

Mrs Benson told H&H: “I can’t imagine I will ever be able to put [Ian’s death] behind me, but I am relieved to have the ends tied up.”

For the full article, see the current issue of Horse & Hound (29 April, ’10)

Northern Irish eventer Stephen Moore, 45, has died

Charlotte White — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:44:08 +0000

A Northern Irish event rider has died, two weeks after a fall at Glenarm Castle Horse Trials.

Stephen Moore, aged 45, died of a heart attack on Friday after collapsing at home. It is thought he also had broken ribs and a punctured lung.

John Wright, chairman of Eventing Ireland, said: “We extend our heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the whole equestrian community to the family of Stephen Moore, who died tragically in Coleraine hospital on Friday 15 August, and also to his colleagues in the northern region of Eventing Ireland.”

It is not yet known whether Mr Moore died due to complications from injuries sustained at Glenarm.

He fell from his horse Whoa Nelly at the Co Antrim event on 2 August, sustaining a broken collar bone.

If connected to the fall, his death would be the 16th internationally in eventing since August 2006.

Stephen’s twin brother Sam was killed in a fall at Blenheim in 1997.

Young eventer dies in rotational cross-country fall at Hartpury

Pippa Roome — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:27:07 +0000

A young event rider died yesterday in a cross-country accident at the Mitsubishi Motors Hartpury Horse Trials.

Emma Jonathan, 23, was competing in the CCI** when she had a fatal rotational horse fall at fence 19, an upright rail which was followed by an open ditch (fence 19a) and a skinny (fence 20b).

Emma was from Petersfield, Hampshire, and was riding her own nine-year-old El Nino, who was uninjured. She had ridden El Nino since the start of the mare’s affiliated eventing career in 2005 and the pair were competing in their first CCI**. They had had top 10 placings at intermediate and novice level this year and last.

Alex Fox, chairman of British Eventing, said: “On behalf of the whole sport, I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Emma’s family. The thoughts and prayers of eventing people all over the UK are with them at this sad time.”

A full investigation is now being carried out into the accident.

The CCI** class was abandoned, with the horses which had not gone cross-country allowed to show jump today as a combined training event. Those which had already taken part in the cross-country also show jumped in order to gain their qualifications for further events. The CCI* and CIC*** competitions are continuing as planned.

Read more in Horse & Hound next week, on sale FRIDAY 15 August.

Parents sue US federation following rotational fall death

Horse & Hound — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:39:48 +0000

The parents of a 17-year-old American eventer who died in a rotational fall have launched a lawsuit against the United States Equestrian Federation and the United States Eventing Association in a California court.

Mia Eriksson died in 2006 while taking part in the Galway Downs CCI** in California.

The writ claims the course “was made more dangerous in order to make the competition more thrilling to spectators” and alleges Mia’s horse Koryography was unfit to ride because of prior falls and lack of practice.

They are also suing Mia’s trainer at the time of the accident, Kristi Nunnink.

Mia’s older sister, Shauna, died in 2003 after being thrown from a horse at Fresno State University in the US.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (29 May, ’08)

Accidental death verdict on indoor cross-country fall

Horse & Hound — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:20:52 +0000

A verdict of accidental death has been returned by the inquest into the tragic accident that claimed the life of 12 year-old Shannon Bloomfield (pictured) at Milton Keynes Eventing Centre on 27 January.

The inquest heard that Shannon, from Bletchley, Buckinghamshire was competing in an indoor cross-country event.

Her pony clipped a fence, somersaulted and landed on top of her, before kicking her in the head as it tried to get to its feet.

Paramedics treated Shannon, who had won an earlier class that day, at the scene but she died in Accident and Emergency at Milton Keynes Hospital an hour later.

Her father Darren was the first on the scene and he told the jury, “It all happened so quickly, I’m not sure what happened. It was such a blur, but she seemed severely injured and was completely unconscious.”

British Horse Society inspector Robert Weatherby investigated the incident the next day. He told the inquest that he was satisfied with the lighting and condition of the indoor course. The fences had been built by an approved builder, out of the right materials and he described the jump as encouraging for the horse.

The post mortem revealed she suffered serious injuries including fractured ribs, internal and external bruising to both lungs and a fractured skull.

FEI looks again at eventing safety following another death

Charlotte White — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 10:50:12 +0000

A new cross-country design advisory group has been launched by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in response to this year’s exceptional number of eventing tragedies. Eleven riders have died since January this year.

The most recent loss was 21-year-old Eleanor Brennan, who died after a fall at the Florida International three-day event earlier this month.

The group, which will be chaired by course-designer Mark Phillips, will be an offshoot of the eventing safety sub-committee set up earlier this year as part of the FEI’s eventing safety programme.

An FEI spokesman said: “The group’s objective is to provide research on safe course-design and frangible devices, as well as cross-country fence building directives.”

An FEI Eventing Safety Forum is planned for 19 January in Copenhagen, Denmark, to discuss safety across the sport.

National bodies from all eventing nations, including the British Equestrian Federation (BEF), will be invited to attend and make presentations on safety, along with course-designers, trainers, riders, officials, equipment manufacturers and vets.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (22 November, ’07)

French rider dies at Moulin one-day event

Horse & Hound — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 15:11:10 +0000

A young Frenchwoman has died whilst taking part in an one-day event, bringing the tragic tally of riders to be killed in competition to ten this year.

Gautier Beaudoin of the French Equestrian Federation said: “A tragic accident happened during the one day event at Moulin-Coulandon causing the death of a horsewoman, Maïa Boutanos.

“The 29-year-old secondary school teacher was fatally injured whilst riding the novice test.”

He said Maia was an experienced rider who had ridden at CCI** and advanced level.

Eventer killed in Germany

Trevor Cooper — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 14:57:49 +0000

An event rider has been killed in Germany after a fall during a novice competition in Neu-Wulmstorf near Hamburg.

Anke Wolf, 40, broke her neck when her six-year-old gelding, Donar, somersaulted at the last fence and fell on top of her. She received immediate emergency treatment but could not be revived.

Ms Wolf, who was married, was an experienced rider who had competed with Donar at the national championship for young event horses in Warendorf in 2006. She was also a riding instructor. The horse was unharmed.

The incident took place a week before the death of another German eventer, Tina Richter-Vietor, on the CIC** course at Schenefeld Horse Trials on 4 August (news, 9 August).

Eventer killed at German horse trials

Trevor Cooper — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:36:12 +0000

A professional event rider died at Schenefeld Horse Trials in Germany on Saturday (4 August) after she was thrown from her horse during the cross-country phase.

Tina Richter-Vietor, 32, was catapulted out of the saddle when Paulchen Panther fell at the second jump on the CIC** course. She broke her neck.

Course-designer and event director Hinrich Groth described the fence as “an easy one, with a good groundline”, which was designed to enable the rider to establish a rhythm at the start of the course. He speculated that perhaps a poor stride had brought the horse too close to the fence for a good take-off.

He said: “Thirty-five other horses jumped it clear that day, but maybe Tina wasn’t concentrating because she hit the fence and flew to the right, while the horse flew to the left.”

On-site medics tried unsuccessfully to revive Miss Richter-Vietor. The treating doctor said: “It was apparent that Tina had broken her neck.” He added that a post-mortem would not be required.

After the fatality Mr Groth cancelled both the remainder of the CIC** event and the FEI World Cup qualifier, but decided to continue with the CNC*** show jumping class because the cross-country phase for that section had already been completed.

He confirmed that the jump, which he described as “like a steeplechase fence”, would not be used next year.

Miss Richter-Vietor, from Ganderkeese, had twice been a bronze medallist at young rider European Championships. She was unmarried.

Teenage event rider killed in rotational fall

Karen Spinner — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:05:02 +0000

Another event rider’s life has been claimed in a rotational fall.

The latest fatality occurred at a two-star competition at the Swedish venue of Bollnas last Saturday (21 July). The rider, 19-year-old Elin Stalberg, fell three from home.

Swedish Equestrian Federation spokesman Lotta Amnestål told H&H what happened.

She said: “Elin’s horse somersaulted over the last fence in a combination. Elin was taken to hospital, but died later.”

It is understood that the obstacle in question was a corner fence of no more than 1.15m in height.

Ms Amnestål said an investigation would be carried out.

But she added: “No other riders had a problem with the fence and the ground was fine.”

Eventing deaths prompt FEI safety review

Abigail Butcher — Thu, 17 May 2007 13:59:46 +0000

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) is to undertake a major review of eventing following the recent spate of rider deaths in the sport.

Seven riders have died while eventing around the world in the past 10 months, the most recent being Julie Silly at Jardy in France (news, 10 May) and Jo-Anne Williams at Sapey (news, 26 April). The deaths have occurred at events from novice to advanced.

While the FEI holds records of rider deaths at international competitions only, according to British Eventing (BE), 23 riders have died in Britain alone over the past 25 years, four of whom were killed in 1993 and five in 1999.

“We will look at prevention, analysis and medical response,” said US rider David O’Connor, who is chairing the FEI safety sub-committee set up last week. “We want to see what we can do to prevent accidents, whether there is a common thread to falls, and will look at how we do things worldwide when an accident has occurred.”

The FEI has been compiling data on events for the past five years, an initiative started by BE. Mr O’Connor plans to invite a rider, course-designer, technical delegate and trainer to join the sub-committee. Additional expertise will be invited to assist the group when necessary.

Mr O’Connor said the committee is not looking to make major changes to the sport.

“I think we will stumble on something we haven’t been doing. For example, we only currently use frangible pins and brushes, and there are other technologies out there we are not researching.” he said.

BE has had a safety committee for nearly eight years. Acting sports director Mike Etherington-Smith told H&H: “The FEI is now doing what we have been doing in the UK for some time and it’s long overdue.”

Read this news story in full in today’s issue of Horse & Hound (17 May, ’07)

Sixth event rider killed in nine months

Karen Spinner — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:01:44 +0000

British Eventing (BE) has refuted suggestions that novice classes are becoming too hard following the death of a rider in a novice class at Sapey one-day event last week (18 April).

Jo-Anne Williams, 34, from Llanfaethlu, Anglesey, suffered fatal head injuries in a fall at the eighth fence at the Worcestershire venue.

Sarah Roberts, a friend of Mrs Williams, told H&H she believed her death had been caused by a rotational fall, but BE could neither confirm nor deny this.

In the two weeks before the incident at Sapey, there had been three serious cross-country falls at novice or pre-novice level, two of them rotational.

Pony silver medallist Libby Soley sustained a broken collar-bone and collapsed lung at Brougham; novice rider Annie Kirkham suffered 10 fractures to her pelvis and sacrum when falling at Stafford, and Katie Lovell broke her pelvis at Eland Lodge.

BE sports committee chairman Mike Etherington-Smith denied that novice courses had become too difficult.

He told H&H: “Safety is always the number one priority, but, sadly, accidents do happen. Novice courses are different to how they were 20 years ago, but the sport has progressed and that doesn’t mean novice courses are too difficult.

“The fence at Sapey was a very simple one and, sadly, you can’t legislate for these things.”

Worldwide, this is eventing’s sixth fatality since August last year, following the deaths of Amelie Cohen (H&H news, 15 March), Amanda Bader, Kim Hyung Chil (H&H news, 14 December 2006), Mia Erikkson (H&H news, 21 November 2006) and Irish rider Sherelle Duke (H&H news, 24 August 2006).

Read this news story in full in today’s Horse & Hound (26 April, ’07)

Event rider killed at Sapey Horse Trials

Karen Spinner — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:04:24 +0000

An event rider was killed on Tuesday when competing in a novice one-day competition in Sapey, Worcestershire.

Jo-Anne Williams, 34, from Anglesey, suffered fatal injuries when falling from her horse at the eighth fence on the novice course at Sapey one-day event in Worcestershire. She was airlifted from the venue by Worcestershire Air Ambulance, but died from her injuries.

Although details at present are sketchy, H&H understands that the incident occurred at a park bench-style fence, which would have been no more than 3ft 6” high.

A spokesman for British Eventing (BE) told H&H she did not have any details on whether or not it was a rotational fall. Chris Shaw, BE’s regional director for Worcestershire, is spending Wednesday afternoon at Sapey in order to try and piece together what happened.

Mrs Williams’ mount, 14-year-old gelding Shannandoah, has 28 BE points and was uninjured.

Event riders injured

Pony silver medallist Libby Soley and novice rider Annie Kirkham are both on the mend after suffering rotational falls at Brougham and Stafford horse trials respectively, writes Jo Prestwich.

Libby, 15, was knocked out in an horrific fall from her novice ride Jitterbug when the horse left a leg at the second part of a double. She sustained a broken collarbone and a collapsed lung and spent four nights in hospital. She is now recovering at home in Darlington and hopes to be back in the saddle within a month.

Annie Kirkham, meanwhile, suffered 10 fractures to her pelvis and sacrum. She parted company from her horse, Tova, when the mare put down in front of the second fence on Stafford’s pre-novice course, a plain log with flowers placed in front, and somersaulted.

“She’s a very clever mare and she never hits anything, but she seemed to misjudge the groundline at this fence,” said Derby-based Annie, who was taken to Stafford Hospital and later moved to Derby Royal Infirmary. Annie will not return to eventing this season, but is hoping to be back in the saddle next year.

For more on the Sapey tragedy, read next week’s issue of H&H (out 26 April)

Event rider killed at Fontainebleau in France

Horse & Hound — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:59:12 +0000

The sport of eventing has suffered another fatal accident. The tragedy occurred at a national competition at Fontainebleau last Sunday.

French rider Amelie Cohen, 30, fell from her horse at the seventh fence on the cross-country course, which had a height limit of 3ft 7.5in.

A spokesman for the Federation Francaise d’Equitation, told H&H Mademoiselle Cohen had died in a rotational fall.

She said: “The fence in question was not difficult, but the horse somersaulted and landed on top of Amelie. It was one of those very tragic accidents.”

Rider killed at Asian Games

Horse & Hound — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 11:21:45 +0000

The 15th Asian Games have been hit by tragedy with the death of a South Korean event rider.

Kim Hyung Chil, 47, died after his horse Bundaberg Black fell on top of him while negotiating fence eight on the cross-country course in Doha. Hyung Chil was attended to by medics at the scene and taken to Hamad General Hospital but he never regained consciousness.

Father-of-two Hyung Chil was the oldest member of the South Korean equestrian team. He had represented South Korea at four Asian Games and was a member of the silver-medal winning team in Busan 2002.

“On behalf of the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee, I send my deepest sympathies on the sad loss of Kim Hyung Chil,” said Ahmed Abdulla Al Khulaifi, DAGOC’s Deputy Director General of Corporate Support during an official press conference.

“The competition has lost a noble and an able rider. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family of the deceased, the whole South Korean team participating in Doha 2006 and the people of the nation.”

The competition resumed after a two-and-a-half hour break, following approval by the technical delegate, who inspected the course and the fence following the tragic accident. Bundaberg Black is currently under observation but is showing no obvious signs of injury. Organisers have confirmed that an official investigation will take place into the incident.

The South Korean team had made a winning start to the Asian Games by taking both the individual and team gold medals in the dressage competition.