Rotational falls

Falls of the rider from the horse are common and can occur at any point in time, from training to the middle of a competition.

Horse riding is described as a "hazardous pastime",[1] with a high level of injuries and in some cases, death.

"Between May 1997 and September 2007 25 rider deaths occurred around the world in the sport of Eventing",[2] 18 of these fatalities resulted from rotational falls.

[4] Although historically, rotational falls were possible in the show jumping phase as rails used to be fixed to the wings that held them, in modern times the jumps are designed with cups holding the rails, allowing them to roll out and fall down if struck by the horse.

All sports and activities present unique risks (ranging from small to large scale possibilities) to the individual or team participating in them.

The rules of competition as guided by the FEI and individually enforced by countries around the world with their own bodies drafting standards for riders state that all riders are required to wear "an accredited safety helmet during cross country competition".

[11] It is designed to protect the upper body (ribs and spine) from serious injury if a fall occurs.

Riders place grease on "a horse's front and hind legs to prevent trauma from the brush jumps, and if they hit an obstacle, they'll slide off it a little bit more".

[citation needed] The cross country course itself poses the largest risks to the horse and rider for experiencing a rotational fall, this is due to the uniquely solid nature of jumps on a cross country course (as opposed to collapsible fences on a show jumping course).

Two key technological advances have been adopted improve the safety in the cross country phase of eventing to minimise the possibility of a rotational fall.

[16] The horse is more likely to trip and regain an upright position, as opposed to performing a full rotation.

In commenting on the introduction of frangible pins to Australia in the Equestrian Australia 'Making Eventing Safer Fund', "dual Olympic medallist, course designer and coach Stuart Tinney" said "it's very exciting to be able to introduce more safer fences to Eventing".