Anyone watch the Devon Arena Eventing? Thoughts on the choices to not wear a vest over solid fences in an arena setting?
I think about the only thing that Arena Eventing shares with real Eventing is the name. Riders have the choice to wear professional safety vests, or not. If it were me, I would do it - but I don’t ride at the top level of the sport. You don’t see vests in SJ. I would think less gear and less weight = better accuracy and efficiency from a jump off standpoint.
Many of the associated risk[s] of eventing out on cross country are absent in arena eventing - terrain, open space, large gallop stretches. Those are the things that (imo) make vests necessary, as they influence jumping and balance.
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I thought the thing that made vests necessary was the possible interaction between a rider and a solid obstacle? Obviously an issue that would be compounded by speed, but one that remains in effect in arena eventing.
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No. Arena Eventing is stadium jumping with different looking fences. The risks of XC are completely reduced to the same level as stadium jumpers at this point. The use or disuse of a vest at this activity is pure rider psychology.
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The fact that some of the fences are solid doesn’t make it different from plain SJ?
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Yes – but whether you are in the unfortunate position of being bodily thrown into a solid obstacle is influenced by the environment - sloppy or slick footing, terrain (up hill, downhill), water, open space, galloping stretches, etc. Those are absent in Arena Eventing.
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OK, so I just want to know why so many fell off? Including PD? Just wow!
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It’s kind of like how you don’t need a helmet during a victory gallop because it’s safe. Solid fences are safe if it’s in an arena.
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The solid fences are relatively small and straightforward for the level of the horses. The course designer is looking to separate the class by time and stadium rails, maybe a run out at an angled solid. One rider did fall off when the horse stopped at one of the solids but it was no different than a stop at a rail fence. Some riders vest up every ride. Others feel that overheating and loss of flexibility outweigh safety concerns in that situation. We all have our own cost/benefit scale.
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So many fell off because most eventers aren’t experienced at jump offs. In eventing you need to be under a posted time and most riders know exactly the canter that will make that time. Going faster is in no way advantageous and might even get you a yellow card. Arena eventing puts up a $50,000 prize for two short rides in one night. Big money and low input for eventers! Then the rules say the one who is fastest wins. Not surprising that there were some significant misjudgments.
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Um, yeah, you do need a helmet in the victory gallop. I am sure Silva was not pleased.
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I was really disappointed/upset by Buck Davidson’s decision to gallop to the last fence in the jump off without rebalancing a few strides out. He crashed his horse through it and they both fell.
Terrible optics in front of a large crowd in addition to being a terrible rider decision. I could tell five strides out that he’d be lucky not to have a rail, but he flapped and kicked to a distance that wasn’t there and his poor horse paid the price. The horse was led out, but looked a bit sore on the front left to me. Hope he’s okay.
The other two falls just seemed like horse & rider miscommunication, not blatant rider error.
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That’s some horrible optics, for sure. Poor horse!
These horses are used to stadium rounds, and the riders had time to practice some speed. I have more respect for them than to see them on the ground
I was a little surprised that only 11 completed the first round to qualify for the jump off, which was supposed to have a designated 12 participants.
And then I was even more surprised that three of them did not stay on during the jump off.
The only one I actually saw come off was Buck Davidson. But wow, he was lucky that did not happen at one of the solid jumps. And so was his horse.
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As others have said, xc vests are a protection relatef to hazards of speed, terrain and possibly solid obstacles. Jockeys wear vests too, they don’t jump but galloping at speed is a risk for hitting the ground hard and being trampled. I cant remember a fall where I fell onto a xc fence. I wear a vest when I gallop racehorses and start babies under saddle, on real xc, but I have no problem with UL riders on UL horses competing in an arena without xc vests.
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Boyd does this all the time. Literally, every victory gallop you see with him in it, he’s got his helmet off. Which is against the rules, but god forbid we tell the golden goose to abide by them.
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While I agree that it is a stupid thing to do, the FEI actually makes an exception to the helmet rule for prize ceremonies and the national anthem and only “recommends” that they be worn for the lap of honor. I can’t quote it on my phone for some reason but it is FEI general rule 538.1.1
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Ah, thanks - did not know that about FEI. Pretty sure it’s not the case for USEF, but who knows what arena eventing falls under…
I understand people fretting about his victory laps, but I don’t see a downstream effect which indicates others are following suit. It’s Boyd being Boyd, and I can’t grasp assuming his wife is mad about it. It’s none of our business.
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