Chatsworth horse trials - do you think this was right?

[sue_ellen]

Went to Chatsworth horse trials yesterday (Saturday), never been before, not an eventing person, not brave enough! It was Novice but the jumps looked massive to me!

Had a lovely day although the weather wasn't brilliant, and it just so happened that a young friend of mine, Kate was competing. I didn't know before I got there so it was a lovely surprise.

Anyway, Kate and Wizard were doing really well, with just the X-country to do, but unfortunately they had a really nasty fall at the fifth fence. You had to come down the hill into about a foot of water, jump a large (to my eyes!) log, and then immediately turn 90 degrees left and go up the hill. As cross
country goes I think it was quite a straight-forward fence.

Unluckily for them they landed slightly more to the right than previous riders, literally just an inch or two, and it looked like Wizards right fore went in a hole. He went down then somersaulted right over, and both horse and rider were completely submerged for a split second. As the horse scrabbled desperately to get up, he trod on Kate's side. You heard her scream. My friend and I had just happened to pick that very fence to watch, and so we saw the whole thing.

This is my problem. There was a steward there, she didn't move. No one even went to help her catch the horse, she was left to get up, out of the water, and catch him herself. They were both very shocked, shaken and upset, and the water must have been freezing. It was cold, grey and windy. We tried to go and help her and were told that we weren't allowed to. Surely there could have been some of those silvery blanket things that they have at marathons and that kind of thing, and why wasn't there anyone to help her, she was a long way from the lorry, and the horse was in a right state and she was just left to manage the best she could, it's a wonder she didn't suffer from exposure!

I am just wondering if this is usual when something like this happens at events like this?

Sorry its a bit long and rambling, just trying to explain what happened, hot chocolate if you get to the end!

 

[spider]

I think if you get help you get eliminated and she may have wanted to continue. Also if they let spectators on the course would be dangerous with other competitors coming round. Hope your friend is OK.

 

[Scribbles]

Sorry, disagree. The steward has a duty of care towards the rider.

 

[connie1288]

In the world on health and safety and suing it could be possible that they are worried about such things and have to wait for paramedics etc.

 

[Scribbles]

At a water complex the most important thing is to ensure the rider is ok and clear so they don't drown.

In todays health and safety - if a steward didn't help my OH out the water if he had a broken leg or something, and he subsequently died, I'd not only sue them for all they've got but probably kill them too.

 

[sue_ellen]

I think really, I was just thinking that they could at least have had something to hand to help her get warm, and surely someone could have helped her with the horse, or do you think that may be health and safety too?

 

[sarah23]

[ QUOTE ]
I think if you get help you get eliminated and she may have wanted to continue. Also if they let spectators on the course would be dangerous with other competitors coming round. Hope your friend is OK.

[/ QUOTE ]

As the horse fell as well it is automatic elimination anyway.
I have and still do jump judge and if someone fell at my fence i would always make sure they are OK.

 

[mil1212]

I've had a similar fall, we both fell in the water and when my horse got up, he stood still next to me, but the stewards lept in to help, grabbed my horse and led him out the water before I had chance to think. I was more concerned with finding my whip that I had dropped in the water! All they wanted was me out the way for the next competitor!
I should have thought the least they should have done was catch the horse and lead it back to her. I have done this as a spectator many times. Or at least go over to her and ask if she was OK. Sure there is health and saftey but they should go and check if they need to call the doctor or vet.

 

[smellsofhorse]

Hope your friend is ok,

I think the steward should have helped.
If the horse fell if would have been elimination any way even if she could carry on surely it would be better to help her and carry on quickly rather than holding up the event?


Just wanted to say im Kate and I have a horse called Wizzard!

 

[Rowreach]

A good few years ago I was grooming for someone at a (quite big) event, and her horse collapsed and died on her at the penultimate fence

I could see from the finish that something wasn't right as she approached the fence and was already running flat out to get to her, but when I got there I was astounded that the 2 fence stewards were still sitting in their car as the horse lay in its death throes while my employer was trapped underneath. I had to haul on the poor horse's head and neck to get her out.

The only person who tried to help (prior to the vet arriving) was Princess Anne, who had just finished, got off her horse, and came back to the fence.

When Michael Ryan had a rotational fall at my fence at Necarne, I was with him within seconds - if you have half an eye for a fall, you can tell pretty early on if it is a serious one or not. It sounds like your friend was very very lucky not to be more seriously hurt, and a bit of prompt action can save a life.

Like you say, even if she was just battered and wet, a fence judge, imo, has a responsibility to make sure she was ok to get herself and horse back to the box.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

The rider would have been automatically eliminated. The fence steward should certainly have gone to the rider's aid and should have sent for a 1st aider if there wasn't one in the vicinity.
IMO the rider should complain to the organisers, about both the lack of 1st aid and the going in the water jump. There should NOT have been a hole for the horse to put his hoof down.
This accident could have had tragic consequences.

 

[AandK]

QR - am shocked to read this tbh.. please encorage your friend to complain to the organisers at the very least.
a horse fall is immediate elimination and even if the horse hadn't of fallen, the fence judge should still have gone to assist the rider!! she should have been checked by a doctor before being allowed to leave the scene of the accident and the fence judge should have completed a form regarding the fall..
please post this in comp riders too!!

 

[qwertyuiop]

When I have fence judged for BE, I have seen a rider fall at the next fence, waited for them to call it to XC Control on the radio and go to assist, but nothing happened. After realising that they didn't even intend to get themselves out of their car, I called it in, left my 7-months pregnant friend with the flags in the middle of the track at our fence (to stop oncoming horses) and went to assist.

By the time I was there assisting the rider, they realised that something had happened at their fence and got out of their car to "assist", which involved standing there impersonating a chocolate fireguard!

Events rely on volunteers to fence judge, and every time I sit in a morning briefing from the TA and Steward, you can always pick out the couples that you pray never have to deal with an incident. When you hear some of these (usually senior citizens) call out the wrong fence number for the 1st hour on the radio, you wonder if they even know where they are, let alone the responsibility for rider and horse safety that they hold.

All I can suggest is that all event riders volunteer where possible to fence judge, so that we all get the standard of judging that we want off those who have also been there, done it and got the t-shirt (and scars).

 

[spider]

Sorry, didn't realise a fall was automatic elimination. I shouldn't post about things I know nothing about!

 

[Thistle]

Ditto both AandK and Halloween.


I used to event, I am now full time mum, groom etc. Daughter and I both help BE, fence judging, stewarding etc.

As you say it would be great if everyone learnt to deal with it from both sides. IMO all riders should give 1 days help a year.

A fence judge has a duty of care to rider, horse and spectators. A loose horse at a fence is dangerous and should be immediately caught, having checked rider is OK.

Rider should be checked by doc at scene or at very least told to report to the doc is a simple fall.

If a horse fall the vet should also check to horse if any more than a simple slip over.

Many spectators at these events are knowledgable and can assist if they volunteer, esp if they know horse and rider - useful horse holders etc.

The fence judge should immediately go to the rider (taking radio with them so they can summon whatever assistance is required).

Rules do allow ouside help to remount in the event of a rider fall I believe.

 

[Tinypony]

This needs an official complaint. Even if your friend doesn't want to complain, I think you as a spectator should. You must have been beside yourself when they stopped you going to help, I'd have been close to doing someone physical damage.