You all do realize we had a qualitative aspect to XC for years. The Charles Owen Technical Merit Award.
I won it twice at competitions and once nationally (highest score in the US).
So, the suggestion of adding a qualitative score has been tried and is still in place?
The data analysis task force make up is being considered. I was asked to provide several names of epidemiologists, engineers, statisticians which I did and were passed on to the c-suite personnel for consideration. Several of us had a very in-depth email conversation with Dr. David Vos, who did the original data analysis, where we were able to highlight deficiencies and incorrect assumptions. He was very accepting of the knowledge and expertise as well as alternative qualifying matrices that can account for lifelong experience and quality of rides based on available data.
The reality is that simply looking at fall rates per level and completion experience is a very poor model for safety without stratifying the rider/horse demographic as well as regional and course specific parameters of consideration.