Eventing safety officials are keeping a close eye on the evolution and potential of the use of air vests by riders on the cross-country phase of horse trials events.
 The use of air vests by eventing riders is being watched by the FEI's Eventing Committee. © Mike Bain
|
The FEI Eventing Committee is evaluating air vests and has recommended that National Federations and riders "keep themselves informed of all the latest developments and to consider the potential benefits of their use."
The advice follows a meeting of the committee, which said it would continue to monitor the evolution of the equipment. There are currently no internationally recognised industry standards for air vests.
"Specific data on air vests will need to be evaluated in detail before any further advice on their use is issued," the committee said.
Giuseppe Della Chiesa, Chair of the FEI Eventing Committee, said that while there was no doubt that air vests represent a development in rider protection, "protective clothing is not the magic solution to rider safety.
"It needs to be considered in combination with active measures such as correct training, responsible riding, course design and fence construction," he said.
In April, top British rider Oliver Townend had a crashing fall while wearing an air vest on the cross-country of the Kenucky three-day-event. He suffered a broken shoulder, collarbone, sternum and four broken ribs in the fall and was knocked unconscious.
"It was a cruncher of a fall and I can't remember much of it after the point of take-off. I've seen the pictures in the paper this morning, and you wouldn't want too many like it."
Townend was discharged from hospital the next day.
Of the air vest, he said: "everyone should wear one, without doubt they make a huge difference. I wouldn't be standing here talking quite yet if I hadn't had it on, and I think my injuries could have been a lot worse. They're already bad enough."
The frangilble pin supporting the obstacle did not collapse as expected.
Facebook
Twitter
HOME SITES 
