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Concerned Parent puts USEA on legal notice regarding safety of Eventing.
One parent has decided to weight in while the debate on "short format" and overall safety is going on. A concerned parent has put USEA on formal notice regarding the safety of the sport. Below is a partial abstract which was written before the last event where the rider retired one Advanced horse and got her other horse stuck on a fence.
To: 'jo@useventing.com' Hello Jo, I am writing as a concerned parent who has a daughter who has been in the “eventing” world since she was 11 years old, she is now 21. I am not a “horse person” although I have been the driver and the checkbook for those years, I have also been a jump judge who has witnessed a horse death and rider injury at Ram Tap (Fresno), another death at an event in Montana as well as having a close relationship with a family who lost their second daughter in a CCI ** event November 4, 2006 at Temecula. Our family engages in several sports that are “dangerous”, however the “horse eventing” world is the most out of control in terms of trainer qualifications and responsibility, facility preparedness and volunteer capabilities and first-aid training. I am placing the USEA on notice now that there is not enough certification, training, responsibility, intelligence, etc required of the eventing trainers and facilities, thus resulting in increased dangers naturally associated with the sport.
My daughter was a working student last year for Buck Davidson and Darren Chiachia and has competed through Advanced. She did some eventing while East and placed very high in the competitions, she was top young rider in 2006 and a committed eventer. Please be advised that you are on notice and if something happens to my daughter in the next events she is competing in, the USEA will be part of the lawsuit.
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June 25, 2008 Getting Event Instructors certified. The call to get 500 instructors through the ICP is an important goal. To that end at least one west coast barn has offered free stabling for 20 each week and facilities to as many ICP workshops as USEA would like to hold over the rest of the year. Here is another effort that is going on. USEA Instructors Workshop in Area 1
Jun e 24, 2008 Article at the Humane Society Making Safety the Main Event, on eventing. A general call we are hearing (which we think USEA could mandate immediately) is to slow down the courses while we are figuring out what has gone wrong.
June 17, 2008 - Another top CCI** horse, Task Master, dies after an injury in competition. Here is the discussion thread... it calls for the reality check of "really" it is time to call for a change in X country. Everyone must read this....
June 16, 2008 - A possible Dangerous Riding by juniors at a local event (read thread) and International CCI *** and CCI**** riders with falls of horses last weekend, including a rotational... see the AP photo below. How are the governing bodies going to create rider"watch lists"?
June 14, 2008 - Horses keep falling... badly. AP Photo by Joerg Sarbach - Daylife 
click for larger
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Stefano Brecciaroli from Italy and his horse Oroton fall (rotational) during the cross country eventing of the CIC*** tournament in Luhmuehlen, Germany, ... Last year he fell on his other horse in the CCI **** - Given the new "proposed safety" discussions...Should he go back a level? Be put on a rider watch list? you tell me..? Andrew Hoy and horse also fell in the same pond, same event at CCI ***, and he was 4th in the CCI **** on his other horse. Should Andrew go back a level? There is discussion on "licensing" upper level riders... to what? be able to crash and possibly hurt horses? Not be penalized if they do? Interesting topic...
At a minimum it was suggested to us in an email that all junior and adult non-pro riders have Trainers... and, those Trainers should be sanctioned if their riders don't respond to the watch list. |
June 9, 2008 Safety summit writeups... It is a great start....NY times reports:
Equestrian: U.S. Takes Further Steps to Improve Rider Safety
After at least 14 riders have died in eventing competitions over the past year and a half, more moves toward making the sport safer.
Editor note: we post what we find... here is a great comment at NY times
"USEF, USEA and FEI go on, willingly and deliberataly, to overlook the main driver of Eventing worst Safety crisis ever : the implementation of the new ” short format ” 3 years ago and its fatal consequences, as explained here under !" read rest of comments under article
Our hope is the USEA and USEF pass some of the proposed solutions bringing much needed change. Most important David Oconnor and all admitted there are serious problems in the sport... including a 50% increase in falls at some levels year over year.
"We're here today because eventing is in trouble. Some would say the survival of the sport as we know it is really at stake,“ said John Long, CEO of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, the governing body of non-racing horse sports.
"I am very committed to transparency in everything we do in this organization," Kevin Baumgardner, USEA president. "If we investigate an accident and come to a conclusion, then we need to say what that conclusion was."
"Any tangible, visible changes to show they are seriously on the road to reform and improvement are important," Keith Dane, Equine protection arm of the Humane Society said Read more quotes at Kentucky.com article
Practical Horseman review of the meeting. here is the Chronicle of the horse bulletin board discussion from attendees.
June 6, 2008 Now things get interesting... It is obvious that with 8 great upper level horse deaths in the last few months that the big Upper Level horse owners would have to step in. The price of Event horses has skyrocketed (price tags of 1M have been rumored), the horses are often syndicated and lets face it... all these horses are insured! But... now the insurance products on the horses and certain riders are going to end up uninsureable if drastic changes aren't made. The current death rate and injury statistics for Upper Level Horses is horrible as you look back at the last 18 months. USEF Creates Eventing High Performance Owners Task Force
Here is a GREAT LETTER that was sent to the safety summit! Everyone needs to read this... we will post limks to items as we become aware of them.
Our top list, which we have forwarded to the summit is.
1. Peer review of all major injuries or deaths of horse or rider. Currently the USEA process is to create a wall of silence about rider deaths. Horse deaths are reviewed if it is reported under Welfare of the Horse within 10 days by a USEF member who witnessed it. We need to be able to ask for a peer review and have issues examined so trends can be identified.
May 29, 2008 Bravo to Laine. after her fall at Rolex, for her decisions with coach Buck Davidson to approach her return to the sport and her own athletic rebuild with safety and a sound plan. READ
May 28, 2008 Sad news for all... Teddy O'Connor, loved sport pony and one of Karen's Olympic rides was euthanized this am after injuring himself.
New York Times, United States - “Mia for the USEA is a statistic, but she is really so much more than that,” said her mother, “I stepped forward to file a lawsuit trying to in a way voice all of the concerns we’re feeling at the level of eventing to press for change...
Why are event horses falling and, sometimes, dying? Olympian Jim Wofford suggests some answers in this Practical Horseman online exclusive.
May 2008 - Sadly, another top horse , Tigger Too, was killed at the Jersey Fresh CCI ***. This one belonged to David O'connor and was ridden by a young rider. Luckily she escaped injury. Horse was 17 years old....why are these older horses still out there... Task Force, another top horse was also recently killed in Warmup at a CCI. developing... Photo link for Tigger Too Fall Warning graphic....
After Kentucky Derby Tragedy, Humane Society weighs in on Eventing and Horse Racing
The Price the horses pay - April 2008
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photo from Kentucky.com of Frodo at Rolex 2008
Horse from Lord of the Rings movie Euthanized at Rolex 2008. Another Top Horse was euthanized by this rider after injury in upper level competition last year -May 2007. Rider, Laine Ashker (24) remains in critical condition.
Course designer at Rolex 2008, Michael Etherington-Smith to resign from Course design This was announced in Feb of 2008. Michael Eftheringotn-Smith was also course designer at Galway Downs where Mia Eriksson was killed. Brits Etherinton-Smith and Capt Phillips were designers on US courses where 6 horses have died this year.
American eventing safety proposals stir heated debate... Michael Efferington Smith calls the rules "over the top". Capt Phillips says a country "shouldn't go off on a tangent..." about being safe? Get real... horses and riders are dying out there.
There is something you can do! Call
The death of Eight Belles after she came in second in the Kentucky Derby and of two horses at Rolex in April has been a one-two punch to the Kentucky Commonwealth's marquee equine events. Although horse racing and three-day eventing are furlongs apart in practice and competition, the sight of injured and dying horses traumatize fans and hurt the image of Kentucky's signature industry.
"We are hearing from a very large number of people today saying that they can't watch it," said Keith Dane, director of equine protection at the Humane Society of the United States. "Everyone is concerned and everyone wants change."
Because of the prestige of both these events, they attract huge numbers of spectators -- 100,000 over the three days of Rolex and 157,000 at the Derby -- and are broadcast to a wide television audience as well. And Eight Belles' death on the track came just two years after Barbaro's well-documented breakdown and eventual euthanasia. (reprinted from Kentucky.com)
Want to do something? Call Keith Dane, Director of Equine Protection Humane Society and leave him a voice mail!
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US News and World weighs in - Should this sport be stopped till changes are in place? there is an open comment board here... got an opinion? post it here!
April 2008 - Rider Injured And Two Horses Euthanized At Rolex
A rider is hospitalized in critical condition after a fall at the Rolex Three-Day Event in Lexington, and two horses have to be euthanized. Twenty-four-year-old Laine Ashker, a rider in the Rolex, is hospitalized, and at last report in critical, but stable, condition, after being injured in a fall Saturday at the equine event. The "Herald Leader" reports her horse, Frodo Baggins, was so seriously injured so that he was euthanized.
Another horse, "The Quiet Man", was critically injured during the competition and had to be euthanized. His rider Sarah Hansel escaped serious injury. photo from Kentucky.com of Quiet man at Rolex 2008
Editor Note: there have been several postings from Course designers, Coaches and top USEF officials stating that the sport has "more riders" (which they are alluding means more injuries). The reality is that all the deaths of horses and riders are at upper levels and are riders that have been in the sport for years. We know of at least one parent of an upper level rider who has been trying to get USEF or USEA to publish their open letter on safety to the equestrian community without success.... while after each death another "message" from someone in authority is published.
April 2008 - Breaking News - 2 Deaths!- Rider killed at Event in Austria. Another Event Rider Killed...this time in Ireland. This has got to stop!
UPDATE! Is this part of the problem? Capt Mark Phillips has been the designer on many of the courses where deaths have occured. Concern among riders... NY times weighs in....
Notice: Enought deaths! A litigation is pending. If you or your horse has been injured at any event please send your info to webmaster@eventing.zzn.com and we will forward it.
USEA president weighs in with MORE safety "task forces" and acknowledges that riders and the general membership of eventing are upset...the sport has become too dangerous and the old guard who pushed for these deadly courses were wrong. Read this it is inexcusable that these groups of our "leaders" have been "meeting" continually while 12 deaths have occured.
Horse Injuries? Lets talk about that also!
4 horses killed, 2 at Red hills, one at the fork and one at Florida horse park recently. As of April 2008, 2 more at Rolex.
This photo was courtesy of Regardinghorses.com, and was not at the courses listed above...it is an example of the serioushness of these falls.
Beaking News March 15, 2008. Darren Chiaccia was seriously injured in a fall at Red Hills Florida. Two horses were also killed at the event. Update april 2- Darren is heading to a special hospital, updates on him at EventRider.
Editor note - Private donations have been pouring into Darren, over 200K to date. We know that other families who have had riders killed were expressly turned down by USEA insurance within days of incidents and have had to bear the expensive of these expensive preventable hospitalizations and deaths. Equisure is the insurance of USEA and most of the events. We have read letters that they have sent families and all riders should be aware that they may not pay, nor be compasionate.
Breatking news: Nov 2007 - Another Young Rider (21) dies in a CCI ** When will USEF step in and make the necessary changes mandatory versus "saftey committees" and suggestions? The majority of Deaths over the last 13 months (13 deaths in 14 months have been young riders in the CCI**, 4 CCI ** deaths total! ) Please send an email to skeating@usef.org and express your concerns! In this accident the horse was killed also! Read about the issues surrounding "short format" and other problems at the bottom of this page.
FEI looks again at eventing safety following another rider's death
Zara Phillips devasted by friends death
Eventing Kills Horses! Here is another horrendous fall where the horse didn't die, but ...
World Eventing Champion Zara Phillips takes a horrendous fall in June of 2007. click to see what happened to her horse. This photo series shows how hard this sport is on the horses as well as the riders.
Eventing Sept 2007 - Another Death! read
USEF steps in with Safety Measures! read Will this help stop the half baked events where corners are cut and events are understaffed or where Emergency Medical Response is too far from hospitals etc?
Aug 2007 - 3rd Death in 2 weeks!
German Novice Equestrian Rider Killed on Cross Country read
Another CCI ** death - German Event rider killed read
July 2007 - CCI ** young swedishevent rider 19, killed on Cross Country read
Editors Note - As of this date neither the USEA (official cross country site) or the USEF web site have the notice of these deaths. They have also removed all of the other press releases on Cross Country Deaths even though the international governing body is looking into the safety of eventing (see article at bottom of page)
The overall question seems to be; Has the new Short Format made Eventing Deadly. This format was put in to make Eventing more "exciting" and to avoid having the sport dropped by the Olympics. 10 deaths this year and numerous paralizing injuries, along with horse deaths has sparked the debate.
We are making an IMMEDIATE CALL to all event ORGANIZERS to use frangible pins or other methods to reduce somersaults.... the deaths to date this year were primarily from somersaults!
Eventing Safety Surveys pop up - Click and be heard!
Chronicle of the Horse has weighed in with an Eventing Safety Survey. over 47% of the respondends to date feel the amount of injuries have changed how they feel about eventing.
There is also a graduate student program underway to understand what riders or those associated with riders feel about Eventing injuries. Click here to participate if you have had an eventing injury or witnessed one.
Recent comments :
Jessica, (Voted for option 2, on 2007-07-30)
"No, it has not affected how I feel about eventing, as I have known for some time how dangerous it is. My husband did the Morven Park CCI* several years ago, and we decided there are too many injuries to horse and rider."
Kevin, (Voted for option 2, on 2007-07-30)
"I event, so hope to see the sport continue. Maybe there will be modifications to address some of the recent tragedies."
Michelle, (Voted for option 1, on 2007-07-29)
"I no longer event for fear of injuring myself."
Judith, (Voted for option 3, on 2007-07-31)
"I think you are being alarmist and not presenting a balanced picture. The organizers and USEA are going to great lengths to try to make the sport safer. Trainers who push their students too far too fast are much to blame."
Jo,(Voted for option 1, on 2007-08-01)
"Something seems to be 'wrong.' I'd recommend a broader inquiry with non-eventing participants to look at the overall model."
Kim,(Voted for option 1, on 2007-07-31)
"I feel that the training and education system for eventing is breaking down. I notice riders competing that cannot even balance properly at a rising trot over their center, let alone jumping over obstacles on uneven terrain."
Pam, (Voted for option 1, on 2007-07-28)
"I have evented through prelim and quit because of the danger. I jump much higher in jumper divisions, but the fences come down and that equals less injury to horse and rider. There's no excuse for deaths of either for sport."
Barb, (Voted for option 1, on 2007-07-28)
"I have been very concerned with how many horses and riders are seriously injured and killed while eventing. I know of no other sport, including horse racing, where so many fatalities occur, that is allowed to continue as it is."
Babs, (Voted for option 1, on 2007-07-27)
"The horse's well being must come first, this does not seem to be reality."
Sue, (Voted for option 2, on 2007-07-27)
"I have always thought it was risky and saw a horse euthanized because of a broken back at the only one I ever attended. Sort of lost any appetite for it."
(Editors Note: In light of all the injuries and deaths it is clear there is a problem out on the courses and possibly with the new short format. FEI has moved to understand the safety problem. One parent has put USEA on legal notice (left column), USEA has started an overall eventing review task force. Be sure to get your input in by writing to them. We are putting together an over all list of suggestions in the right hand column.... send us your thoughts!)
The scope of the new safety committee is very broad highlighting the issues that are facing Eventing. Parents and Riders need to know exactly what they can do to file complaints and or get thieir concerns included while this is being sorted out. Remember.... everything takes time so Parents and Riders need to do their part and actively file complaints and concerns... see What can you do? in the right hand column. Have a safety concern? Email us at Editor@eventing.zzn.com and we will forward it to the safety committee as well as list it here.
FEI Eventing Safety Commitee to Review Cross Country Issues
The Committee will:
- Identify all areas of concern;
- Investigate or trigger specific investigations;
- Manage all issues related to eventing safety by recommending rule updates and policy changes in the sport;
- Communicate on all findings
- Prevention, analysis, and management will be part of each discussion for all issues raised.
Prevention
- Ensuring that the strictest international safety requirements are applied to the national level;
- Development of diversified safety devices for cross country construction;
- Promoting research on riders helmets;
- Reviewing of trends in dourse design;
- Stopping horses on cross country course;
- Reviewing of number of refusals on cross country;
- Training of fence stewards;
- Introduction of a national eventing expert to be the liaison between the national federation and the FEI in relation to all safety issues;
- Review of FEI officials' education and qualification;
- Qualification of riders at national level before entering low level international events;
- Promotion of FEI eventing safety database and reports on all the figures relating to international events in the discipline.
Analysis
- Monitoring of statistics (i.e. specific combination of fences, analysis of riders or horses falling several times during a year, events with abnormal number of falls, etc.), and follow-up with FEI officials and national federations;
- Inclusion of veterinary information on horses in a safety database;
- Review of serious accidents and procedures.
Management
- Communication and follow-up of safety program;
- Planning of safety educational seminars.
Official FEI Press Release
More Background USEA BLOG on the topic. Please Read Parent Put USEA on Notice. Article in the left column
Have something you want to share on this topic? email: editor@eventing.zzn.com
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Eventing deaths prompt FEI safety review
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.
"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."
"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.
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."
Have something to say or a safety suggestion for Eventing? email David O-conner - doconner@USEF.org
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Update on Soft Tissue Injuries - by Carol Gillis DVM, PhD
Horses of any age may be affected. History of the problem can vary from lameness on entering training to unsoundess after a fall or other trauma such as hitting a fence with the affected stifle. Clinical signs include one or more of the following: decreased stifle flexion leading to a shortened stride and often toe dragging. There may be a hip "hike", ie a short but more pronounced rise of the effected hip than the opposite limb. Hind limb flexion will usually exacerbate the lameness, but hock problems will demonstrate the same response. Intra-articular anesthesia of the stifle joints improves clinical signs. Radiographs will reveal changes in bone and some cartilage and other soft tissue damage. more
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Lameness due to stifle pain can pose a diagnostic and treatment challenge for horse owners and veterinarians. The stifle is composed of three variably communicating joint compartments, composed of bone and cartilage, as well as several ligaments, the joint synovial linings and joint fibrous capsules. Often a combination of these structures is damaged, and a multifaceted approach to treatment is needed for recovery to athletic soundness.
List of Eventing Riders injured or Killed recently
As of April 2008 - 14 Eventing Rider Deaths
More detailed information about these deaths is available at Eventing Percheron we had posted it here after it had been mailed to us. We did not know it had been printed prior.
Sherelle Duke (IRE), 28, 08/20/06,
Mia Eriksson (USA), 17, 11/04/06
Kim Hyung Chil (KOR), 47, 12/07/06
Amanda Bader (USA), 51, 02/17/07
Amelie Cohen (FRA), 30, 03/11/07
Jo-Anne Williams (UK), 34, 04/18/07
Julie Silly (FRA), 17, 05/05/07
Elin Stalberg (SWE), 19, 07/21/07
Tina Richter-Vietor (GER) , 32, 08/04/07
Anke Wolfe (GER), 40, 08/15/07,
Maia Boutanos (FRA), 29, 09/01/07
Eleanor Brennan (UK), 20, 11/17/07
Karen Rodgers, 41 (UK) 04/21/08, Ballingdeinsk CNC**, rotational fall, Death
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- Suggestions - - A parent correctly let us know that USEF rule GR 141 requires that all trainers sign entry forms! NO EXCEPTIONS! Event organizers that have knowledge of trainers at events that have students competing, but haven't signed, or who have had parents sign but are still warming up the students...those Event Organizers are also at fault and deliberately increasing risk if someone is injured! Note: we have started notifying event managers of this rule putting them on formal notice. Thank you to the parent who gave us this simple task we COULD help with - Have better designed cross country jumps or different jump system. The number of Falls of horse is unacceptable versus other horse jumping areas. This is a WELFARE OF THE HORSE issue. Note: It was pointed out to us that the USEA has "recommended" in a recent rule that all courses use Frangible pins that allow jumps to knock down. Parents, ASK your event organizers when they will rebuild or improve their courses! Note: If any fall of horse is reported to USEF under Welfare of the Horse they will have to make a judgement about jumps that don't knock down. Riders/Parents... if you see a horse go down at an event REPORT it to USEF at the email below. Recently Riders complained directly to USEF about Footing at the Southern California Thermal show and the fact that the "stewards" are paid by the shows so not inclined to note bad footing. USEF had to look into it and in fact is considering changes. Don't be afraid to SAY SOMETHING! - Require all course controllers to be able to see the course and riders at all times. B.W - Have radio ear pieces for riders so that course controllers can talk directly to riders allowing better holds on course or stops on course. - Have paid and trained Jump Judges/Stewards who can make decision out on the course for rider Safety. - Require all Trainers who have upper level students have the ICP for that level. W.W. - Have 1M mandatory insurance policies (death or long term care) issued for all riders Preliminary and higher. D.S. in CA - A reader suggested that all parents should join USEF and could therefore make complaints when they feel their concerns are over looked by the local show organizers. V.W. in SC Other suggestions? - Send it directly to the Senior VP who has offered to make sure issues are routed from Eventers.
if you want to make sure something happens send us a copy at.... editor@eventing.zzn.com and we will follow up. |
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