Anyone want an eventing update?

I just got an update e-mail from the USEA. The following changes are taking place:

A fall off a horse used to be 65 penalty points and the second fall would be elimination. The first fall is now elimination. Any references to helping riders back on horses or anything has been eliminated.

The first fall of a horse is mandatory retirement.

If a rider is apparently injured or concussed, they must be examined by a medical professional to determine if they can continue or ride another horse. Refusal results in a $100 fine.

Obstacles for which frangible technology is available must be built with frangible pins - this technology allows the cross country jumps to rotate. Jumps already built must be retrofited with this technology before December 1, 2009.

More rules may change after the safety summit. The committee is also working on a 'red card' system to penalize dangerous riding.

2008-05-23T05:27:41Z

The 'retirement' was just for that show. It is the term used in eventing for pulling a horse from the rest of the show - for that day. Not as in throwing a horse out to pasture - I should have been more clear.

The falling is a rider falling off a horse.

Anonymous2008-05-22T17:25:11Z

Favorite Answer

Whaaaat?! I like everything.. except the falling-off rule! :( Unless it means if the _horse_ falls, not the rider? Meh... I wonder how many people are going to complain about that.

westerngamergirl2008-05-23T02:12:19Z

i don't like the 'first fall of a horse is madatory retirement' because horses fall just from silly things like slippery mud, a jumping accident, deep and loose footing, just tripped over themselves... and my horse fell when she was 3 from slick mud and stood right up perfectly fine. now 4 and i'm not planning on retiring her anytime soon. i 100% agree with the jumps structure for cross- country rule.

oh crap- i just realized that this was was for JUST eventers while showing! my bad! man i can be stupid sometimes.

DominoSky2008-05-23T00:12:18Z

It is nice that they are trying to make it safer but people who love eventing, know, and are willing to take, the risk.

Here i am2008-05-22T23:56:45Z

i don't like the new one fall rule... but i like the rest

Anonymous2008-05-23T02:08:19Z

Thank you a bunch for the update!!!! Appreciate it!