Frangibles, falls and the future safety of eventing

Frangible fences are having a major effect, but more work needs to be done to improve safety and protect the sport

- LUCY ELDER

FRANGIBLE fences are having a “significant positive” effect on eventing safety – but more development is needed.

Leading figures discussed the latest data and where progress could be made to increase influence and retain the essence of cross-country, while improving safety.

David Vos, a rider, aviation engineer, and frangible device and risk management steering group member, told the FEI eventing seminar (20 January) that 90% of serious horse falls are at non-frangible fences.

“Around 8% are at frangible fences built to the old standard, around 1% or 2% are at fences built to the new standard we released in 2021,” he said.

“It’s not that there is a main driver, but you have square spreads, rolltops, brush fences, ascending spreads and corners capturing somewhere in the order of 70% to 80% of the serious horse falls.”

Dr. Vos stressed that the sport needs to focus on upgrading old frangible fences and expanding use of frangibles.