JENNIFER HAM’s equestrian experience has stood her in good stead in court since 1998, when she was first approached to compile an expert witness report in a case concerning a riding school accident. Here, she shares some of that experience.
Owing to the diversity of the equestrian industry, the claims and areas of negligence are varied. The following questions may need to be addressed.
• Was the person involved experienced or qualified to instruct or to organise the event?
• Was the duty of care sufficient either to the person or to the management of the horse?
• Did the riding centre have a riding establishment licence, a health and safety policy, instructor/escort details, or horse assessment forms?
• Was the centre/venue approved by the British Horse Society or was it an Approved British Riding School?
• Did the competition venue abide by the disciplinary guidelines?
• Was the claimant’s riding experience/horse knowledge sufficient?
• Did the claimant voluntarily take the risk?
• Was the horse in question behaving in a normal manner?
• Was the horse suitable for the job of work?
• Was the claimant/defendant aware of the horse’s characteristics at the time of the accident or at the time of sale?