Another rider death 😬. Chris Moyce RIP.

[Tiddlypom]

From the British Showjumping Facebook page. I can’t share the post directly, but this is the text of it.

It is with great sadness and regret that British Showjumping confirm Chris Moyce passed away in hospital on 15 April following a fall in the warm-up area on the 4 April while competing at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre, Slapton, Buckinghamshire.
A well-respected producer of showjumpers for many years, including Pjort, who went on to international success with Geoff Luckett whilst still in his ownership, Chris, of Canterbury, Kent, will be much missed and mourned by the showjumping community.
“Chris passed away peacefully without regaining consciousness,” said close friend and fellow showjumper Heidi Luck. “On behalf of [his partner] Mark and the rest of Chris’s family, we would like to say Chris loved being a showjumper and it gives us some small comfort that he spent his last day doing his most favourite thing in the world. Mark and the family would like to thank everyone for all their support during this difficult time.”
Iain Graham, Chief Executive of British Showjumping, said: “Chris supported showjumping in many ways and was greatly respected by officials, staff and fellow competitors. He was always encouraging to those starting off in the sport and gave a lot of his time in helping British Showjumping activities in his area.”
All at British Showjumping would like to extend our thoughts and condolences to his family and friends.

 

[Widgeon]

That is just tragic.

On a sort-of separate note, I'm struck by how many of these deaths seem to occur in the warm-up - can anything be done to make them safer? I don't compete but a friend who competes in dressage and SJ semi-regularly comes back with tales of having to avoid someone else's horse who went beserk in the warm-up arena. I'm absolutely not saying that's what happened here, but based on my admittedly second hand information it sounds like they can be somewhat chaotic? I'd be interested to know what other people think, but maybe it's a question for a separate thread.

 

[SEL]

That's so sad.

I do think they should limit numbers in the warm up. I think one of the Cotswold cup venues is doing that - after all it should literally be a warm up, the practicing should have been done at home.

I have removed my cob from a warm up when he was being an idiot but most don't!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

That is just tragic.

On a sort-of separate note, I'm struck by how many of these deaths seem to occur in the warm-up - can anything be done to make them safer? I don't compete but a friend who competes in dressage and SJ semi-regularly comes back with tales of having to avoid someone else's horse who went beserk in the warm-up arena. I'm absolutely not saying that's what happened here, but based on my admittedly second hand information it sounds like they can be somewhat chaotic? I'd be interested to know what other people think, but maybe it's a question for a separate thread.

Warm-up areas/collecting rings need to be very well stewarded but, I can tell you from experience, that many competitors do not like being told to behave themselves in there. Stewards need to be very firm and tbh, even for affiliated comps, there aren't that many suitable people available.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

How awful, Mark must be devastated

 

[scats]

Awful news. Both warm-up accidents too.

 

[St Nicnaclaus]

Very sad. Just announced on the local BBC 6pm news. Apparently he didn't regain consciousness so hopefully unaware.