Injuries to riders in the cross country phase of eventing: the importance of protective equipment.

This research paper investigates the pattern of injuries sustained in the equestrian eventing discipline and examines the effectiveness of protective gear worn by the riders during 1992-1997.

Research Methods

• The study was conducted over 54 days spread across six years (1992-1997) during the eventing competition held in cross country environment over fixed obstacles.
• The data comprised of all injuries sustained in the cross country phase. This phase covered a total of 16,940 rides.

Research Findings

• Out of 16,940 rides, 193 injuries were reported, indicating an injury rate of 1.1%. This rate also included two fatal cases.
• The largest group of injuries was related to the head and face, accounting for 31% of the reported cases.
• One third of the head and facial injuries were severe enough to necessitate treatment in a hospital even though all riders were appropriately equipped with safety helmets and body protectors during their rides.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that eventing is one of the most dangerous disciplines in equestrian sports due to the high rate and severity of injuries, despite the use of mandatory protective equipment.
• The researchers believe implementing improved protective equipment, which was scheduled to become compulsory from 1999, could help reduce the severity of injuries sustained during equestrian eventing.