Action against Equestrian Australia
Koffels Solicitors & Barristers Take Action against Equestrian Australia on Grounds of Breach of Duty
Equestrian Law / Equine Law
Ross Koffel, one of Australia’s leading legal practitioners in Equestrian Law, was quoted in an article appearing in The Australian newspaper today regarding safety issues for equestrian sport and the perceived lack of action from Equestrian Australia to take affirmative action to make the sport safer for competitors.
The issue has come to light pending the Coronial Inquest. This is in relation to the deaths of two young Eventing riders, Olivia Inglis and Caitlyn Fischer, in 2016. There are also various additional legal actions being taken against Equestrian Australia.
The action being taken by Koffels Solicitors & Barristers is on behalf of their client, also a young rider at the time of her accident, where she suffered horrendous injuries after her horse hit an unsecured jump, causing the rotational fall of her horse.
Sports Law
Equestrian Australia contends that equestrian sports are of themselves dangerous and that competitors accept the risk of injury. Ross Koffel, however, has claimed in court proceedings that Equestrian Australia failed in their duty of care in not securing the jump, as well as building above the maximum stipulated height for the course, which had a direct effect on the nature of the horse’s fall and subsequent injury to the rider when the horse landed on top of her.
The regulations governing the construction of cross-country courses are clearly stipulated. This means that the elements to be jumped need to be firmly secured to the ground. This is to prevent the jump from moving should a horse knock or otherwise come into contact with it. There are also strict specifications for the dimensions of jumps allowed for various levels of competition. Competitors enter classes appropriate to their level of experience and their horse’s.
It is Ross Koffel’s firm belief that not enough is being done to guard against preventable accidents in equestrian sports. This is also particularly the case for younger riders.
The matter is due for mention in the Supreme Court in February 2019.
