Fédération Equestre Internationale eventing: Risk factors for horse falls and unseated riders during the cross-country phase (2008-2018).

Summary

# Falls in FEI Eventing: Understanding Cross-Country Risk Cross-country eventing demands exceptional athleticism and carries significant injury risk for both horse and rider, yet systematic analysis of fall causation remains limited at the international level. Between 2008 and 2018, Bennet and colleagues examined FEI event records to identify specific risk factors associated with falls and unseated riders during the cross-country phase, employing logistic regression modelling to quantify associations with rider, horse, course, and competition variables. The research revealed that certain combinations of factors—including course difficulty, horse experience level, and environmental conditions—substantially elevated fall probability, with specific odds ratios demonstrating which circumstances posed greatest hazard. For practitioners involved in competitive eventing, whether as trainers, veterinarians, or farriers preparing horses, these findings provide evidence-based guidance on which risk profiles warrant enhanced preparation, conditioning protocols, or course management strategies to reduce catastrophic injury. Understanding these population-level patterns allows for more targeted risk mitigation conversations between event teams and athletes, potentially preventing the serious and sometimes fatal outcomes that distinguish cross-country from other equestrian disciplines.

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Key Findings

• •Study identifies risk factors associated with horse falls and rider unseating during FEI eventing cross-country phases from 2008-2018
• •Research focuses on understanding epidemiology of falls in competitive eventing to improve safety outcomes
• •Falls during cross-country eventing can result in serious injuries or death for both horses and athletes

Conditions Studied

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