Preventable rider falls.

Describing research into rider falls, an article headline read: “The risk factors surrounding many falls may be preventable.”
     Makes good sense to me.
And it lines up with what I’ve noted as a judge and riding coach over the years.   
  
 Judges see their share of preventable falls – enthusiastic riders, climbing aboard fresh, distracted or green horses – prey animals in a busy, unfamiliar environment…uh-oh.         

While wearing protective gear – helmets and safety vests – DO prevent the severity of injuries, wouldn’t it be better to prevent the fall in the first place?

Falling off hurts!  It can shake a rider’s confidence so much that many choose to abandon riding altogether.

So as a coach, I do everything I can to minimize risks and systematically layer skills needed for every pattern course or test – I check to see each skill is thoroughly understood by rider and horse, before progressing.