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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Towards a safer sport: Risk factors for cross-country horse ...
Equine veterinary journal2023; 56(1); 137-146; doi: 10.1111/evj.13934

Towards a safer sport: Risk factors for cross-country horse falls at British Eventing competition.

Abstract: Equestrian eventing is a dangerous Olympic sport, with 16 rider and 69 horse fatalities at competition in the last 10 years. Despite this, there is limited research that aims to improve safety within the sport. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for horse falls, which are the leading cause of rider fatality within the sport. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Competition data between January 2005 and December 2015 were analysed. Descriptive statistics followed by univariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for inclusion in a multivariable logistic regression model were conducted. Models were constructed stepwise using a bidirectional process and assessed using the Akaike information criterion. A total of 749 534 cross-country starts were analysed for association with the risk of horse falls. Results: Sixteen risk factors were identified including: higher event levels, higher dressage penalties and higher number of days since horses' last start. For example, horse and rider combinations competing at BE100 (OR 1.64, confidence interval (CI) 1.37-1.96, p < 0.001), novice (OR 3.58, CI 3.03-4.24, p < 0.001), intermediate (OR 8.00, CI 6.54-9.78, p < 0.001), advanced (OR 12.49, CI 9.42-16.57, p < 0.001) and international (OR 4.63, CI 3.50-6.12, p < 0.001) all had a higher risk of having a horse fall in comparison to combinations competing at BE90 level. Furthermore, for every additional 10 dressage penalties awarded to a horse and rider combination, there was a higher risk of a horse fall (OR 1.20, CI 1.12-1.28, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The study is not geographically comprehensive (UK only) and does not include any information on training activity of horses and riders. Conclusions: This is the largest-scale study ever conducted on horse falls during eventing competition. Study results can be used by sport governing bodies to inform policy which has the potential to reduce the risk of injury and fatality to sport participants. Background: Le concours complet équestre demeure un sport Olympique dangereux, tel qu'en témoigne les accidents fatals impliquant 16 cavaliers et 69 chevaux sur une période de 10 ans. Malgré cela, très peu de recherche se consacre à améliorer la sécurité de ce sport. Objective: L'objectif de cette étude était d'identifier les risques facteur de chutes des chevaux, qui représentent la cause première d'accidents fatals dans ce sport. Methods: Étude de cohorte rétrospective. Methods: Les données de compétition entre Janvier 2005 et Décembre 2015 ont été analysées. Les analyses descriptives ont été produites, suivies de régression logistique univariée afin d'identifier les risques facteurs pour l'inclusion dans un modèle de régression logistique multivariée. Les modèles ont été construits par étapes en utilisant un procédé bidirectionnel et le critère d'information d'Akaike. 749 534 départs de cross-country ont été analysés pour évaluer l'association avec le risque de chutes du cheval. Results: Seize facteurs de risque ont été identifiés incluant: événements de plus haut niveau, pénalités de dressage plus élevées, nombre supérieur de jours depuis le dernier départ du cheval. Par exemple, les combinaisons cheval-cavalier en compétition au niveau britannique 100 (BE100) (OR 1.64, p < 0.001), Novice (OR 3.58, p < 0.001), Intermédiaire (OR 8.00, p < 0.001), Avancé (OR 12.49, p < 0.001) et international (OR 4.63, p < 0.001) avaient tous un niveau de risque de chute supérieur comparativement aux combinaisons en compétition au niveau 90 (BE 90). De plus, pour chaque tranche de 10 points de pénalités octroyés à une combinaison cheval-cavalier, le risque de chutes était supérieur (OR 1.20, p < 0,001). Conclusions: Cette étude est limitée géographiquement (Grande-Bretagne seulement) et n'inclus pas d'informations sur l'entraînement des chevaux et cavaliers. Conclusions: Cette étude représente celle a plus grande échelle sur les chutes à cheval en compétition équestre. Les résultats de l'étude peuvent être utilisé par les organismes dirigeants afin d'élaborer une politique ayant le potentiel de réduire les risques de blessures et d'accidents fatals aux participants de concours complets équestres.
© 2023 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2023-03-29 PubMed ID: 36917550DOI: 10.1111/evj.13934Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research article investigates the risk factors associated with horse falls during cross-country equestrian events. The study analyses over ten year’s worth of competition data and identifies multiple contributing factors, such as the level of event and dressage penalties. This is the largest such study into horse falls to date and provides valuable insights for future safety policy decisions.

Methodology

  • The research was a retrospective cohort study, seeking to establish relationships between multiple variables and the likelihood of horse falls during equestrian events.
  • The data analysed was gathered from British Eventing competitions between January 2005 and December 2015, a total of 749,534 cross-country starts were included in the study.
  • The researchers used descriptive statistics and univariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for inclusion in a multivariable logistic regression model. This model helped in determining the probable causes leading to horse falls.
  • The models were constructed in a bidirectional process and evaluated using the Akaike information criterion, a method used to measure the relative quality of a statistical model.

Results

  • The research identified sixteen risk factors associated with horse falls during cross-country equestrian events. These factors included higher-level events, increased dressage penalties, and an increased number of days since the horse’s last start.
  • The risk of horse falls significantly increased with the level of the event. Horse rider pairs competing at BE100, novice, intermediate, advanced, and international levels all had higher risk compared to those at the BE90 level.
  • Dressage penalties also had a significant correlation with horse falls. The research found that for every additional ten dressage penalties awarded to a horse rider combination, the risk of a horse fall increased.

Limitations and Conclusions

  • The study was geographically restricted to the United Kingdom, and therefore its findings may not be universally applicable.
  • Another limitation of the study was the absence of any information on the training activity of horses and riders.
  • Despite these limitations, this research represents the largest scale study conducted on horse falls during equestrian events.
  • The findings from this study could provide important data for sporting bodies to use when shaping policies aimed at reducing the risk of injury and fatalities in equestrian participants.

Cite This Article

APA
Cameron-Whytock HA, Parkin TDH, Hobbs SJ, Brigden CV, Bennet ED. (2023). Towards a safer sport: Risk factors for cross-country horse falls at British Eventing competition. Equine Vet J, 56(1), 137-146. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13934

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 56
Issue: 1
Pages: 137-146

Researcher Affiliations

Cameron-Whytock, Heather A
  • School of Animal Rural and Environmental Science, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK.
  • Research Centre for Applied Sport, Physical Activity and Performance, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HE, UK.
  • University Centre Myerscough, St Michaels Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 0RY, UK.
Parkin, Tim D H
  • Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK.
Hobbs, Sarah J
  • Research Centre for Applied Sport, Physical Activity and Performance, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HE, UK.
Brigden, Charlotte V
  • University Centre Myerscough, St Michaels Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 0RY, UK.
Bennet, Euan D
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sports
  • Risk Factors
  • Logistic Models

Grant Funding

  • Myerscough College
  • Nottingham Trent University

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Cameron-Whytock HA, O'Brien D, Lewis V, Parkin T, Bennet ED. Equine fatalities in equestrian eventing. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1387-1394.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14529pubmed: 40371753google scholar: lookup
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