Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) eventing: fence‐level risk factors for falls during the cross‐country phase (2008‐2018)

Bennet, E. D. , Cameron‐Whytock, H. and Parkin, T. D. H. (2023) Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) eventing: fence‐level risk factors for falls during the cross‐country phase (2008‐2018). Equine Veterinary Journal, 55(3), pp. 463-473. (doi: 10.1111/evj.13863) (PMID:35842735)

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Abstract

Background: The equestrian discipline of eventing tests athletes’ and horses’ skill over three phases: dressage, jumping, and cross-country. Falls during cross-country can be particularly serious and result in serious or fatal injury for both horse and athlete. Cross-country course and fence design are crucial contributory factors to safety. Objectives: To provide descriptive statistics and identify fence-level risk factors for horses competing in Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) events worldwide. Study design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data were collected for every horse start worldwide in all international (CI), championship (CH), Olympics (OG), and World Equestrian Games (WEG) eventing competitions between January 2008 and December 2018 and univariable logistic regression, followed by multivariable logistic regression were applied. The final model was built in a stepwise bi-directional process, with each step assessed by the Akaike information criterion. Results: Risk factors were identified at fence level covering aspects of fence design and course design. Ten fence types were at increased odds of a fall occurring compared to square spread fences, and seven types were at reduced odds. Fences with an approach downhill (odds ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval 1.19-1.52), with landing into water (OR 1.82, CI 1.62-2.01), frangible devices (OR 1.28, CI 1.15-1.41), and later elements of combined obstacles (OR 1.33 CI 1.25-1.42 for the second element, OR 1.21 CI 1.10-1.32 for later elements) were associated with increased risk of falls occurring. Main limitations: Although the data set covers every international competition worldwide, it does not include national-level competitions. Conclusions: It is recommended that the most challenging fences are placed near the beginning of the course, and not in downhill or water settings. The complexity of individual elements in combined fences should be reduced. Adopting evidence-based course design is a crucial intervention for reducing the incidence of horse falls and associated serious and fatal injuries to horse and human athletes.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was funded by a research grant from the FEI.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Parkin, Professor Tim and Bennet, Dr Euan
Authors: Bennet, E. D., Cameron‐Whytock, H., and Parkin, T. D. H.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Equine Veterinary Journal
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0425-1644
ISSN (Online):2042-3306
Published Online:16 July 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published in Equine Veterinary Journal 55(3):463-473
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
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