The members of the U.S. Eventing Association Board of Governors plan to revisit the implementation of the “one fall rule” at the upcoming board meeting in August.
The rule mandates that a rider is eliminated if he or she falls off in relation to a jump during the cross-country portion of a USEA or U.S. Equestrian Federation-sanctioned horse trials. Additionally, medical personnel must inspect a fallen rider.
“It definitely will be on the agenda again for discussion in August at our USEA board meeting,” said Brian Sabo, President of the USEA. He explained that from there, a recommendation will go through the USEF Technical Committee, and the USEF executives will have final consideration.
The safety precaution was implemented in May 2008 after two high-profile riders—Darren Chiacchia at the Red Hills Horse Trials (Fla.) and Lainey Ashker at the Rolex Kentucky CCI****—sustained life-threatening injuries from rotational falls on cross-country only a month apart. But since its beginning, the one fall rule has been the subject of much debate amongst riders and officials alike.
“There have been concerns certainly with our lower level competitors that sometimes this rule is applied in a way that is counterproductive to their experience,” said Sabo, of Newport Beach, Calif. “Like when there’s an adult amateur that pops off her horse and lands on her feet, but then her weekend is over. We’re trying to keep the financial concerns of the lower level competitors in mind.”
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While the rule, introduced by David O’Connor, President of the USEF, and Kevin Baumgardner, former President of the USEA, was crafted with the intention of cutting down on repeat falls and riders carrying on in competition with injuries, Sabo admitted that there’s not hard data swaying the minds of the board members one way or the other.
“It’s a constant discussion, and we’re very open minded,” he explained. “If you look at data from last fall, there isn’t any evidence, for instance, that a person that gets on after a fall has another fall or is injured from it.”
Sabo encouraged riders to speak up and make their opinions on the matter heard.
“I’m absolutely willing to read anyone’s letter and bring it to the forefront,” he said. Riders can email Brian or send him a written letter at 218 Via Lorca Newport Beach, CA 92663. He also encouraged riders to contact members of the board such as Carol Kozlowski and Jo Whitehouse with their concerns and opinions.
