We’re leading off this mornings news round-up with some thoughts from Phillip Dutton, who shared some reflections on a tough season and the future of the sport. We’ll copy in his writing below, or you can also view and discuss it on the embedded post above.
“With the 2024 eventing season coming to a close, I feel it has been a great year for our sport in many respects with some incredible performances at the CCI5*s throughout the world and with the showcasing of the sport at the Paris Olympics.
The downside and tragic events of the year were two high-profile riders having cross-country falls. Namely, the death of Georgie Campbell and the life-changing accident of Liz Halliday at the AEC competition in Lexington, KY.
Our sport has come a long way in regard to safety and horse welfare. Frangible pins have definitely prevented falls, and in doing so, have prevented major injuries to both horse and rider – and probably, in some cases, death. Course design and construction have also played an important part as well. It is in everyone’s best interest to embrace this new technology to further improve the safety of the sport.
Both Georgie and Liz’s falls were at jumps without frangible pins. It is probably not practical yet to have every fence frangible, but as riders, we should be encouraging organizers and designers to aim for this. Other sports more dangerous than ours have made huge leaps in the safety area – Formula One and the NFL come to mind. Having the old adage that horses won’t learn if the fences come down is rubbish! If a horse needs to run into a solid fence to back off, you probably shouldn’t be riding him.
On the other side of safety, riders have to make sure they have the right skills and their horses the right education before setting out on course. Aggressive riding definitely plays a part in keeping a horse confident on cross country. More importantly though, is being able to approach each cross-country jump with the required speed, line and take off distance on a forward-thinking horse. After watching some of the long-format events lately, it’s clear to me that many riders lack those skills and instead are relying just on speed and aggression and having a brave, genuine horse.
As riders, we have to make split-second decisions, and it is not always going to be the right decision. That is sport and life. However, embracing improvements to jump design, frangible devices in future courses and riders who have a good grasp, understanding and the skills needed to ride safely at each jump will hopefully keep a bright future for our sport.”
Valuable thoughts, and the source of much discussion on social media now. So we want to know: What are your thoughts on Phillip’s post and the state of eventing at large? We’d love if you shared your thoughts with us; you can do so in the comments of this post, on social media, or by emailing us at [email protected].
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News & Reading
Sea of Clouds, the remarkable off-track Thoroughbred turned event horse, is in the spotlight in Practical Horseman’s latest feature. This off-the-track star has found success in his second career, showcasing the versatility and athleticism of Thoroughbreds in sport. From his beginnings on the racetrack to his achievements in eventing, “Socs” proves that every horse has the potential to shine. Read up on this pair here.
The USEA has announced the 12 talented young riders selected for the 2024-2025 EA21 National Camp. These riders were chosen from the EA21 Regional Clinics and will train under top coaches at the iconic Barnstaple South in Ocala, Florida. This program aims to nurture the next generation of eventing talent, focusing on horsemanship, teamwork, and skill development. Head to the announcement here to meet the rising stars shaping the future of the sport.
Ed and Leanne Barnett have dedicated nearly four decades to volunteering in eventing, and their story is a testament to the heart and soul of the sport. From fence judging to helping organize events, their tireless efforts have supported countless competitions and riders over the years. Learn more about the Barnetts’ incredible commitment to the eventing community here.
Jessica Harrington’s journey from three-day eventing to becoming a top Thoroughbred trainer is nothing short of extraordinary. In a feature by Paulick Report, Harrington shares her experiences transitioning from the cross-country course to the racetrack, where she’s trained champions like Alpha Centauri and Sizing John. Her story highlights the determination and adaptability that define equestrian success. Check out the full article to explore her inspiring career across equestrian disciplines.
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Video Break
Some strong Saddle Club vibes out of the Brannigan camp…
