Fatal accident at a horseshow. Should the show go on?

[Night_Flight]

Personally, I would prefer for the remaining classes of the day to be postponed. I was not present, but I can only imagine how the witnesses and the rider’s connections must have felt, and I can’t imagine entering the ring shortly after something like that occurred.

If things only took a turn after the rider was transported off the show grounds and no one was aware of just how serious the accident had been, I might feel differently, but in this case it sounds like the extent of the injuries was probably quite apparent on the show grounds.

[Foitin]

This absolutely tragic accident will produce all sorts of reactions. I am not sure about the show continuing question, but generally it is a well-run circuit in my experience. I saw an instagram story circulating with hope for peace for the family: I found this ridiculous. A young life lost and a family who will never recover: peace??

[LCDR]

Yes, it should go on. Those entrants who want to continue should have the opportunity to ride. And there should be no refunds for those who do not want to continue. This sounds harsh, but no one forces riders to compete in a sport which has a significant level of risk.

[2bayboys]

When NFL player Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field, the league postponed the game. If a multi million dollar industry can cancel out of respect for a fallen competitor and in sympathy for his traumatized teammates, I don’t see why a horse show felt so compelled to continue.

[fivestrideline]

I’m curious what other, high risk sports do in tragedies like this?

Obviously we know what eventing does (remove a jump, at best), but this is one of those freak accidents that are inherent to horses. From what I understand, it was a trip and fall on flat footing between jumps. H/J rarely sees these kinds of accidents on such a stage, so it’s a bit more unprecedented.

My greatest sympathies to the family and connections. I’m not entirely sure if I as a kid would be able to go in and show in that same class, especially since it was pretty publicly apparent that something was very wrong.

[Janet]

Accoring to this post

WTF Are We Doing?

Here’s the deal. As most of you know I am now primarily a jumper rider. As such, I had friends at Fox Lea yesterday, one was at the ring when it happened.I have talked to them. I know the facts from people who were there. The cliff notes are this: It was a junior eq class. It did not happen at, over of on landing of a jump. It was between jumps. There was an ambulance there almost immediately. The helicopter piece previously mentioned was not correct. This was a tragic accident and show off…

“the classes in the jumper ring were cancelled after this accident.”
ET fix to link to the intended post.

[CHT]

I would have packed up and gone home had I been at a show and someone was fatally injured on site. It might be different if they were taken to hospital and it was not knows at the time of the show that they had died.

I cannot imagine how hard that situation was on the officials, coaches, riders and parents who had to see/process what happened. I would not be confident that the mental game of riders would not be negatively affected.

Years ago, we were at a show and We watched a young child be dragged around the warmup ring multiple times. She was injured, but nothing life threatening, still, it was more than my riders and I could handle, so we went home. We did return to compete the next day, but that day, our hearts and minds would not have been in it.

[GoodTimes]

I don’t recall ever being at a show with a fatal accident. But I’ve been to a few with some very serious accidents, serious enough that people who weren’t involved wouldn’t have known one way or the other how they were doing once the ambulance left.

Personally I think it’s ok for the show to go on. I don’t think it’s disrespectful. Riding and working around horses is dangerous. It’s tragic and my heart goes out to everyone involved, but it wouldn’t necessarily stop me from riding. Saying that, I do work in healthcare, I’ve had patients die in front of me, so I likely have a different perspective than many others.

[Rel6]

I don’t think this is the same analogy. Allowing the show to continue gives every rider and barn the option to make their own decision about whether they want to continue. The players on the Bills and Bengals were bound by whatever decision the league made - they couldn’t then individually decide to opt out if the NFL said the game would continue.

I’m torn on this. I remember being at WEF in 2014 when a woman died in an accident during the adult jumpers. WEF finished out the show day, and because of the size of the venue many weren’t even aware of what happened until the end of the day or the following day.

[HunterDuSc]

I participate in a sport that is at least statistically much higher risk then horse back riding. We had three fatalities in our area last year and once the emergency responders had taken the individuals and everything on scene was cleared they continued for the day on all occasions. For two of the fatalities it was very clear immediately they had passed and one I believe was taken to hospital.

I’ve never thought about it from a horse show perspective as this is certainly less common in this sport.

[MadTrotter]

I’ve skied a lot and from what I understand, if there is a death on the mountain, that particular run is closed down while the scene is cleared, and while staff does a thorough investigation of anything involved with the death.

While they don’t close down the entire resort, I guess the analogy would be to close down whatever ring the accident happened in during a horse show and go over footing, jumps, etc.

But all of that is to say it’s related to safety.

I remember reading a couple of race car events were postponed or even canceled after fatal crashes.

I think when something tragic happens in front of a crowd of spectators, their possible trauma should be factored in. Especially when a child is killed. That’s a lot of trauma for everyone present. I certainly wouldn’t want to pressure my child to finish a competition that day.

[MHM]

@HunterDuSc

I participate in a sport that is at least statistically much higher risk then horse back riding.

Really? Do you mind if I ask what sport? I’ve always thought horses were relatively high risk compared to many activities.

As for the topic of the thread, I don’t know if there is a right or wrong answer, since different people will have different reactions.

Maybe if it’s a one ring horse show, it should shut down for the day. If there are multiple rings, maybe the other rings could continue, which I believe is what happened in this case, according to what I heard. But certainly anyone who wanted to scratch for the day or pack up and go home should be able to do so without any financial penalty.

It’s a terribly sad situation. My condolences to the rider’s friends and family.

[Whoaovergo]

You quoted the wrong person.

Just want to make it clear I do not know what happened and haven’t posted speculation besides knowing there was a fatal accident.

[Halternatively]

I was showing as a child (age 9ish) when a rider was fallen on by her horse in the show ring. It was apparent that she was in very bad shape, and was pronounced at the hospital when she arrived.

The show continued, and we showed in that ring. I remember it being solemn, quiet and very, very surreal.

I don’t know if there is a right answer, and I think either way customers at Fox Lea would have been upset, if for no other reason than it’s a terrible thing to happen and no one knows what to do.

On a different note, I hope that it was a quick and peaceful passing for HS.

[HunterDuSc]

I skydive as my second expensive hobby. I think the stats fluctuate year over year and by country but we may have less injuries but more fatalities.

The fatalities were tough last year. They usually happen similarly right in front of the crowds of people. But the decision was always to continue operations. I’m sure some individuals would have chosen differently but the planes kept turning.

I’m not surprised that community would generally continue at some later point through the day. I’ve never given riding too much thought and am a bit torn on it.

[MHM]

@HunterDuSc

I skydive as my second expensive hobby. I think the stats fluctuate year over year and by country but we may have less injuries but more fatalities.

Ah, I see. That makes sense. Thanks.

[Janet]

@Whoaovergo

You quoted the wrong person.

Sorry about that. I think I have fixed it now. The person I am trying to quote is xctrygirl.

[Whoaovergo]

No worries, thanks for fixing!

[OverandOnward]

I think there are many things to consider for handling a situation like this.

This is hard, but every show needs to think ahead and have an outline of what they will do in the event of a fatality during a show. Even an accident that leaves a rider in serious, maybe life-jeopardizing condition. Hopefully they never need it. But this is hard to figure out on the fly, with so much raw emotion for everyone.

Do other competitors and participants know? Often if they were not there for an accident, they won’t know if there is no announcement.

What did the spectators see, what was obvious to them?

Does the show have screens to shield visibility to a horse or rider that is down and needs in-place medical attention? Every show should have these and know where they are.

There could be situations where the rider went to the hospital without the show staff being aware of a fatality. Do show staff routinely follow up on a transport, do they ask to be advised of how things go at the hospital?

Who should be notified by show officials beyond the family and trainer? Should the announcer say anything over the loudspeaker? Etc.

I’m sure there are some guidelines somewhere in the USEF rules & regs. I wonder where they are?

[OverandOnward]

I’ve never been at a horse event with a fatality. The one thing I do know for all accidents and other medical events: For heaven’s sake have a radio channel dedicated to medical incidents, and if something major happens get the EMT and helper traffic over to that channel.

The entire volunteer group with radios, as well as anyone that can hear them, does not need to be listening in on the many radio messages and details about the patient. Not only can it be upsetting to people listening who aren’t involved, but it’s sharing private info about the patient that the patient might not welcome.