REVIEW OF THE YEAR
…that shocking road accident figures were published, a drive continued to make equestrianism more inclusive, the Coronation involved 250 equines, while a dressage doyenne gave birth to her first baby — 2023 was nothing if not fascinating. Julie Harding looks back on the highs and lows of the past year
JANUARY
The British Horse Society (BHS) publishes 2022 road accident figures and they don’t make easy reading. In total, 68 horses died on the roads in Britain, 125 were injured, and 139 people were injured, too, despite Highway Code changes intended to improve horse and rider safety introduced the previous year. Data shows that 3,552 road incidents involving horses were reported to the organisation, representing a 21% increase on 2021. The BHS says that 82% of incidents occur because avehicle passed too close to the horse, while 78% were caused by avehicle passing too quickly.
FEBRUARY
British Riding Clubs introduces a new rule on the use of the whip, specifying that these artificial aids can only be employed to encourage an equine forward, or straight at a fence, and not as an instrument for venting the rider’s frustration on a reluctant horse.
MARCH
Charlotte Dujardin gives birth to ababy girl, Isabella Rose, on 6March, and just two months later returns to the competitive fray, already back to her best and piloting Imhotep to victory at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in the grand prix and freestyle.
The Ukrainian Equestrian Charity Foundation (UECF) states that more than a year into the Russian invasion of Ukraine there is little respite from the horrors of war for both people and equines, and that more than 800 horses are at risk of starvation due to the chronic shortage of hay. However, the organisation had done much good work, including moving 500 horses from danger zones to safer zones and housing 320 horses in sheltered stabling. “[The foundation] started with a group of volunteers from 15 countries and Ukraine. What we have accomplished together is unbelievable,” says Mykhaylo Parkhomchuk of the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation.
British Equestrian (BEF) unveils unified concussion guidelines for use within the equestrian industry. Aimed at participants at all levels of equestrian sport, the guidance document provides information to recognise and manage concussion, from the time of injury through to a safe return to equestrian activities. The key message is that the first 48 hours are critical to recovery; the concussed person should be advised to rest for 48-72 hours; and the advice is to not ride until 21 days post concussion, provided
