Event riders involved in horse falls at FEI competitions in 2024 will be asked to speak with the ground jury to help improve cross-country safety in future, in a step the Eventing Riders Association (ERA) has welcomed. Although the FEI already collects a certain amount of data on falls, this has not previously included a first-person account by the rider involved of what happened. ERA president Bruce Haskell told H&H: “It’s a good step, it’s the initial step, but the process behind it needs to be fleshed out so that it is fair to the rider, and not part of a disciplinary procedure. It must not become a finger-pointing exercise.”
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale during arena familiarisation at the 2022 London International Horse Show.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
As the countdown to the London International Horse Show continues, the entries for the dressage classes have been confirmed. Britain’s golden girls Charlotte Dujardin and Lottie Fry, who were both on the team that won European gold this summer, headline a stellar list of riders expected to compete in the five-star dressage classes on the first two days of the show at the ExCeL (13-18 December). Lottie said: “The London International Horse Show is one of my favourite shows of the year. Being able to compete at this level in front of my home fans is very special, and there is always an amazing atmosphere.”
While the use of rollkur or hyperflexion in training horses has been widely censured, concern remains that not all riders and trainer fully understand how the technique can impact horses, both physically and mentally. Experienced equine osteopath Jennifer Postollec is on a mission to educate riders from all sports on what riding in rollkur does to their equine partners. So even if you’d never ride your horse in this manner, in order to spread to knowledge as widely as possible, this article is a must-read.
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.
