Sam Griffiths’ stirrup taken off sale while Amerigo investigates Burghley break
Manufacturer Amerigo has said it is taking the breaking of Sam Griffith’s stirrup at Burghley “extremely seriously”.
The company has confirmed that the incident is a one-off and it is suspending all sales of this stirrup until the reason for the break has been found.
Sam, who was lying in eighth place after the dressage with Happy Times, was galloping between fence three and four on the cross-country when his left stirrup iron broke.
The bolts holding the tread of his stirrup iron in place sheared off, leaving it dangling from the leather with nowhere for him to put his foot.
“Safety is paramount to us at Amerigo and so we are taking the matter extremely seriously and are investigating the possible causes of the break as thoroughly and as speedily as we are able to do so,” said Lisa Menet of Amerigo.
“We have sold this stirrup type for more than three years and it has been used in all levels of the sport, across all disciplines, without any incident.
“Until the causes of the break have been established, we will suspend all sales of this stirrup.
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“The stirrups are manufactured for us by a company in Italy, who will be working with us very closely on this.”
Despite the break, Sam continued on course and incurred no jumping penalties, but pulled up after the Cottesmore Leap complex (fences 12 and 13) as the flapping stirrup was beginning to unsettle his horse.
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The Badminton 2014-winner told H&H on Monday (5 September) that the break was “really bad luck” and today (Friday, 9 September) added that he is “delighted” Amerigo is being so proactive.
“I have ridden in Amerigo products for over 10 years and jumped many cross-country rounds of every level from novice to the Olympic Games,” he said.
“The stirrup breaking was really bad luck at Burghley. I am delighted that Amerigo are being so proactive in the response to this incident.”
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.