There is nobody in this House who does not feel horror at the loss of life, the terror, the pain and the mutilation faced by the victims of terrorism.

But two wrongs do not make a right.

Least of all if what we do is ineffective, unnecessary, or even counter-productive.

I have no sympathy for terrorists whatsoever, but I want the House to imagine for a moment what it feels like if you are innocent under this regime.

You are taken from your bed in the early hours of the morning.

You are locked in a cell for 6 weeks - 1000 hours - and you do not know why - not what you are accused of, not what the suspicions are, not what the evidence is.

You do not know what is happening to your job.
You do not know what is happening to your reputation.
You do not know what is happening to your wife and your neighbours.

You do not know what is happening to your children, facing sometimes the harsh cruelty of other children.

You do not know this for six weeks - 1000 hours.

So what we have is the worst of all worlds.

A symbolic assault on liberty which is unnecessary.
A change in the law which is counter-productive.
And a procedure which is unworkable.

Isn’t the only way to describe what the government is proposing today is that it is ineffective authoritarianism?”

David Davis MP

I think he’s wonderful and I’d love to see some pics of you and Anna competing at the Hillsdale Lake ride.

I thought that Elmer fording the creek story was hilarious.

Effective immediately, the first fall of a competitor at obstacles on the cross-country course will result in elimination.

The rule now reads:

1) EV141.1 (b) Cross-Country Scoring

b. Falls -

(1) First fall of competitor: Elimination

(2) First fall of horse: Mandatory retirement

Subsequent changes were made to the following eventing rules as a result of the change to EV141.1 (b):

EV138.9 Cross-Country Rules–Authorized Assistance. The change removes reference to assisting riders in remounting after a fall at obstacle.

EV142.3 (b) Cross-Country–Definition of Faults–Circles. The change removes reference to riders having sustained a fall as they will no longer be allowed to continue.

EV142.5 Cross-Country–Definition of Faults–Additional Attempts at Obstacles Composed of Several Elements. The change removes reference to riders having sustained a fall as they will no longer be allowed to continue.

The group also set a requirement that riders sustaining a fall be examined by medical personnel or potentially face a fine.

2) EV112.1 (a) & (b) Medical Requirements-Accidents Involving Competitors

a. In the event of an accident in which a competitor is apparently injured or concussed, they must be examined by designated medical personnel to determine if they may take part in another test, ride another horse or if they are capable of leaving the grounds. Refusal to be examined shall be penalized by a fine of $100 (Payable to the Organizing Committee) at the discretion of the Ground Jury.

Additional changes were also made to the rules governing the construction of jumps, requiring the use of frangible (breakable) elements where possible.

The USEF and U.S. Eventing Association are also currently in the process of developing the rules for a “red card system” to penalize dangerous riding.

BUT….,

This will do nothing to help you if;

a) You choose to ride the course, on ill-prepared horse

b) You fall and fate decrees your horse falls on top of you

People die, children die, grandchildren die, it’s all part of life and living.

But, a lot more people die when they get involved in dangerous sports and it’s argued that trying to steer a horse with a mind of its own is far more dangerous than trying to steer a racing car.

Eventing is a dangerous sport at any level but parents of 17 year old children who do not take every precaution to ensure their childs safety make it more dangerous than it otherwise would be.

Mia was 17, her parents are claiming her horse was out of practice. No other horse or child died in that event or on that course that day.

Surely, if nothing else, what needs to be learned here is that responsibility for your childs safety, is your parental responsibility and not a responsibility to be left to a profit making organisation ?

After reading interviews by this family it is not the money but to be listened too and allowed to speak out.

It is always the riders misjudgment held as blame.
A prevalent issue seems to be the trend to buy the ride and not necessarily well trained trainers preparing riders for courses that years ago would not have allowed entry. Perhaps how they got there needs to be examined. NASCAR wouldn’t allow someone to race with a driver’s permit.

The number of deaths and injuries has increased dramatically.

Those who have broken bones, nursed contusions and attended the funerals understand the dangers but who is to say the reassurances given, as well as advice and approvals by the governing associations have not been inaccurate and misleading.

Perhaps the “no speak of what you’ve seen rule” and the hiding behind copyright needs to end so the full extent of dangers is seen publicly.

If this lawsuit will bring the responsibility of all to light and if it will make the naive painfully aware of the dangers the child and others haven’t died without their deaths counting for something.