Is enough being done to keep riders safe after injury at competitions?

Due to the nature of equestrian sports accidents are a common occurrence in the competition and leisure riding environment alike. Although rules are put in place by equestrian organisations, it is often asked whether enough is being done to keep riders safe after an injury has happened?

Show jumper, Charlotte Arnold recently had to be taken to hospital during a competition after her horse kicked her at Waterford Equestrian Centre.

Charlotte said: "She walloped me full on the head, I went flying - I turned three somersaults in the air."

The kick resulted in Charlotte receiving six staples to her head, but she still went on to compete the following day. Still in a delicate state, she won the last of this year’s scope qualifying classes, having to squeeze her riding hat over the bandage.

"I wasn't concussed, but if you are, I think you should be stood down." said Charlotte, responding to claims that organisations such as British Show Jumping and British Dressage should follow the rules of eventing and racing to keep risk to the minimum.

However, it has been argued that each situation should be judged on the seriousness of the individual injury. Dr Suzannah Hoult from Medical Equestrian Association added that, in her opinion, rules regarding assessment of riders should be looked at by the governing bodies and if a rider has received a head injury they should receive an appropriate suspension.

Just putting a riding hat on and getting back on the horse is not necessarily a safe option.

WIN tickets for the Hickstead Royal International!

Fancy a trip to the Hickstead Royal International Horse Show 27th – 31st July? We have 2 sets of tickets, each giving two people FREE admission, available for the day of your choice!

Hickstead is a perfect day out for all the family, where you can watch top class show jumpers in action as well as shop till-you-drop! Set in the picture perfect location of West Sussex, the show is the highlight of the equestrian sporting calendar.

The 5 days show hosts a range of National and International Show Jumping classes including the Nations Cup competition, Queen Elizabeth II Cup and King George V cup. Top class Showing championships and the now famous Eventing Grand Prix will also take place, all making for an exiting show.

For spectators and riders alike, Hickstead is an equestrian shopping heaven with stalls a’plenty for country clothing, horse tack, competition clothing and much more. Make sure you visit us at stand No.139A for the new Dogwood casual clothing and competition jackets.

So, to enter our Hickstead competition all you need to do is answer the following question and email your answer, together with contact details, to the-saddlery@dogwoodlondon.co.uk. Two winners will be picked at random on Monday 25th July and tickets will be sent out that day.

Question: What is the name of the new Dogwood dressage jacket?

10% OFF Dogwood Clothing at Hickstead!

Planning a spot of shopping at the Hickstead Royal International at the end of the month? If so, make sure you take full advantage of our 10% OFF discount offer on our brand new collection of Dogwood casual clothing and competition jackets.

Alongside our Italian riding boot fitting at the show, the new collection of Dogwood polo tops, hoodies and rugby tops for men and women will be launched. The Dogwood line of Show Jumping, Eventing, Tweed and Dressage jackets will also be released at the show, with a bespoke service to enable you to design your own riding jacket, to your own individual requirements.

To redeem your 10% OFF voucher at the show, visit www.Hickstead.co.uk for exclusive vouchers or print off a copy of this blog and bring it to the Dogwood stand No.139A.

Olympic Test Event - Positive Response From Eventers

The Olympic Test Event went underway this week at Greenwich Park, won by the fabulous Piggy French on board DHI Topper W sporting her GB riding jacket. The unveiling of next years Olympic venue was an invitational event which brought the crème de la crème of riders to test the facilities set up in the heart of London.

The Cross country course was the first concern for many when Greenwich Park was announced as the centre of the equestrian disciplines. Despite this, the course went down a storm with testing obstacles throughout including twists, hills and changes in terrain. The test course was half the length of next year’s Olympic course which looks over the London Skyline, sure to be a great setting.

However, other disciplines didn’t get such a positive response from dressage riders and show jumpers. David McPherson commented that the fibre and waxed sand all weather surface (which has been built on stilts to avoid damage to the park) was nowhere near good enough, and Show jumper, Nick Skelton commented on ‘The ground being a little dead and dense at the moment’.

More tests will be carried out up until the games start and more time will be allowed for the surface to bed in to get the spring that’s needed at top level. Let’s just hope we see plenty of those iconic red, white and navy riding jackets in the medals next year!

War Horse trailer just released!

It’s time to kick off your riding boots to watch the most anticipated equestrian film of the year, the extraordinary War Horse. Directed by Steven Spielberg, there is already talk of Oscars in the pipeline and that’s just from the trailer released this week.

The famous story was based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo which captured the imagination of millions. The novel was then adapted for stage play, becoming one of the most iconic equestrian stories of our time.

Along with the equine star, Joey, there will be a host of British talents getting on their riding boots such as Benedict Cumberbatch, David Thewlis, Tom Hiddleston and Emily Watson.

The film’s due to be released at Christmas with Spielberg’s epic war scenes and sweeping music from composer John Williams, its sure to be nothing short of a tear jerker.