There has been a whole body of research in the last five years that has identified key factors relating to safety cross-country, so what lessons can we take from this research and use ahead of today’s cross-country at Badminton Horse Trials?
One way to look at it is to think about the ‘riskiest’ factors and try to mitigate those, which much of the research has focussed on. With that in mind, the most consistent risk factor for horse falls in eventing is higher levels of competition, with the highest level (CCI 5*), posing the greatest risk to horse and rider. Therefore, as Badminton is the top level of the sport, it fundamentally carries greater risk. The average horse fall rate as a percentage of starters across the previous two years of competition at Badminton was 9% (7.5% in 2022; 10.3% in 2023), so it’s vital for all involved to put safety at the forefront of decisions made on cross-country day.
In consideration of more specific risk factors, one example is that horse and rider combinations that perform worst in the dressage phase are more likely to have a cross-country horse fall, and in fact, research that then investigated what was associated with ‘safer’ performance cross-country found the same thing: combinations who performed better in the dressage phase were more likely to have a clear-round across country. At the most elite level, like what we see at Badminton Horse Trials, although some combinations might not be breaking their personal best scores and there may be elements of disappointment, it is quite unlikely to see dressage scores that would fall into this ‘risky’ category. The risk of horse falls has been found to notably increase once the dressage penalty score exceeds 60 penalties, and we don’t tend to see scores of over 50 at Badminton. Nonetheless, there is a general relationship between better dressage scores and lower risk of horse falls cross-country, so it’s still optimal to try and achieve the best dressage score possible, not just for performance, but for safety!
So, now that the dressage phase is complete, what else could be considered?
Multiple factors of course and fence design have been associated with increased risk of horse falls, for example: Corner and Trakehner style fences have the highest association with the risk of a horse fall occurring, along with fences sited downhill, fences associated with water (sited either immediately before or after a water element), fences with a landing in water, later elements of combination fences (e.g. element ‘b’ or ‘c’ of a three element fence) and fences later on the course. Whilst it wouldn’t be in the spirit of the sport to avoid using these types of fences, it is wise to have an awareness of the heightened risk that these fences carry; course designers considering their placement on the course strategically, and being cautious where multiple of these riskier fence types may intersect (i.e. a corner fence as a ‘c’ element, sited downhill, later on course) and for riders, carefully planning how to ride them.
Ultimately, the sport will always carry an inherent element of risk. The basis of risk management should be:
- Risks are identified through science and research.
- These risks are mitigated through the implementation of policy/governance/procedural change.
If this has successfully been achieved, then any incidents that do occur would be considered unavoidable, given our current understanding of science and research.
Governing bodies must mitigate risks that have been identified, as if they do not successfully do this and harm is caused, either to a horse or a rider, then this is unacceptable. Risk mitigation is imperative not only to optimise welfare of participants (both animal and human!), but also to preserve the social license of the sport.
The research that has been done so far in this field has aimed to adopt a ‘marginal gains’ approach in relation to improving sport safety, where many small changes to the sport, without altering the challenge or format, will overall reduce the risk of injury and fatality to both horse and rider. It is unlikely that horse falls will ever be completely eradicated (without completely changing the sport) but we can all keep working to reduce them as much as possible.
We wish all horses and riders a safe run today!
Dr Heather Cameron-Whytock – University of Central Lancashire, School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr Euan Bennet – University of Glasgow, School of Veterinary Medicine
Here is some further information that you may find useful:
- Webinar – Dr Heather Cameron-Whytock on Horse Falls, 3 studies, what have we learned? – 02/11/23
- Podcast – Interview with Dr Heather Cameron-Whytock – Making eventing safer for our horses
- Has Dressage Become Too Influential In Eventing?
- Who’s Responsible For Horse Safety? Badminton 2024 Cross Country
- Mud, Martingales and Margins – Badminton 2023 Cross-Country Analysis
- Badminton 2022 – A scientific perspective of the Badminton cross country course
- Badminton Horse Trials 2022 – Dressage science
