Safe, well run and accident free shows are the goal of the Trillium Hunter/Jumper Association. And, in an effort to meet this goal, Show Organizers must meet certain criteria before they can hold a Trillium Show.

Hunter and Jumper Rings must be within specific size requirements, they must have safe footing, they must be roped off to avoid a loose horse from escaping, and they should be situated well away from the parking area to name a few. All Show Organizers must follow the CEF rules and THJA Guidelines.

Trillium Hunter/Jumper show organizers must also have medical assistance on site and/or make arrangements with 911 to be on call.

Show Organizers are encouraged to set up their office in an area that is well away from the horse show rings. People lined up at the office in the middle of the path to the show rings is definitely discouraged.

At risk management seminars, Michael King from Ira B.Thayer Insurance outlines the five steps involved in a good risk management plan for Show Organizers:

Identify the items which are subject to loss

Identify the exposures which may cause a loss

Identify the treatments available to handle these exposures

Implement the best combination of exposure treatments

Monitor and modify the plan regularly or as required.

He also provides examples of negligence claims – all of which he says could have been avoided through good Risk Management. Some of these include:

Failing to have trained medical personnel on site or on call

Failing to have an ambulance on site or on call

Not ensuring that the site was reasonably safe for its intended use

Technical delegates did not ensure that the competition was safe for its intended use

Jump/course designer built an unsafe jump or course

Congestion at the show office causes injury

Congestion at the 'in-gate' causes injury

Horse bites or kicks

Dog bites someone

Ring had 'hidden' hazard.

Preventing these problems is possible and some of the solutions he provides include:

Examine your premises and the activities you will undertake carefully.

View the situation from the eye of all those who will visit your premises, be involved in your activities or be affected by your actions.

Use this recorded information to create a schedule of improvements to make, as well as operational controls or changes and a pre-event check list.

Eliminate or reduce known hazards through good housekeeping, maintenance and safety precautions.

Post warning signs in obvious locations where you have identified a potential problem that cannot be controlled.

Obtain legally sound releases and get them signed by others.

Because of the risks involved in running a recognized Trillium Hunter/Jumper Show, Show Organizers must have a minimum of $2-million liability insurance coverage. However, even though they have this coverage the last thing they want is an accident that could have been prevented. That's why competitors will notice on prize lists certain rules pertaining to the show.

One such rule that is becoming prevalent at most shows is 'all dogs must be on leashes'. And some Show Organizers won't allow dogs at horse shows even if they are on a leash. As one show organizer commented: we don't take our horses to dog shows so why do people have to bring their dogs to horse shows.

Another concern of Show Organizers is when they see baby strollers in the area where the horses are. If horses hear the sound of a stroller coming up behind them they can react unfavourably. An incident such as this puts the child in the stroller at risk, the rider on the horse's back at risk and the people in the immediate area at risk. Horses can move much faster than people.

Some riders think you only need to wear a riding helmet when you are jumping and not when you are warming up on the flat. Most Show Organizers include in their prize list that 'Riding Helmets must be worn at all times when mounted on the horse'. They have seen more than one horse spook in a warm-up area and the rider has ended up on the ground.

The CEF rule that doesn't allow competitors to get back on their horse after falling off in the show ring and take a fence before exiting, was made with your safety and well-being in mind as well as protection for the Show Organizers and Show Officials.

So you think there are too many rules. Definitely not! Remember it's not only the Show Manager thinking about his or her liability, they are thinking about your safety and the horse's safety. They also want you to have a pleasant and enjoyable day and to come back again..

As a competitor if you see an unsafe condition at a Horse Show speak to the Show Organizer. When the show is under way they can't be everywhere and if it prevents an accident they will be grateful.

Also, for your safety and everyone around you, remember:

Bare feet or feet with sandals on them and horses' feet don't mix well

Sitting on the ground and holding your horse doesn't let you get out of the way if the horse moves forward quickly

Tying your horse to a lawn chair could see you being tossed out of it quickly