Cross-country fall claims like of experienced rider
British eventer Jemima Johnson, who died late last month in a one-day event in Cheshire, was one of Britain’s most accomplished cross-country riders.
Johnson, 38, died of crush injuries after her 11-year-old gelding, On Your Honour, hit the 10th fence at Wilmslow on April 30. On Your Honour failed to make the height, hit the log pile on the rise, and somersaulted over onto Johnson.
According to an article in the British newspaper The Express dated May 5, Johnson “considered giving up the most dangerous events after her recent engagement to Royal Navy officer Tom Lepage-Norris. According to her stepfather, Michael Watt, she had expressed concern about the ‘tricky’ 10th fence to her fiance.”
Johnson had been competing at the top level for over a decade and twice completed the Badminton Horse Trials. Her death was Britain’s sixth fatality in eventing in 12 months and the fourth worldwide this year.
Veteran rider Lucinda Green told Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper: “On the face of it, there seems to be little way of halting this trend because none of us fully comprehend why it should suddenly start to happen.
“But if there is one major difference that I have noticed between 20, and even 10 years ago and now, it is the number of riders who talk about being on the wrong or right side coming into a fence.”
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