BHTA Chairman Jane Holderness-Roddam LVO fully endorsed the FEI/BHTA International Eventing Safety Committee’s statement of March 31 recommending urgent research into deformable fence structures. “I am very pleased to confirm that the BHTA is well under way in this work and has recently appointed the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) of Crowthorne, Berkshire to take forward, co-ordinate and evaluate all work in this field. Their excellent work with Jane Davies of the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund has already given the team at TRL a sound appreciation of the sport and the work ahead”. Mike Tucker, Chairman of the BHTA Safety Committee, initiated a number of safety related recommendations during the latter part of last season including a review of fence construction. A deformable structure has already been tested at Badminton and was demonstrated on the BBC 9 o’clock News on March 10. TRL will work closely with Dr Ellen Singer of Liverpool University on data collection, which will include TRL’s advanced techniques in video footage developed for the motor industry. Video data collection has already taken place at Somerley Park Horse Trials (28/29 March). Additionally, a number of interested parties who have submitted ideas in fence construction will be included in the programme as well as any new ideas. Jane commented further; “Both as Chairman and as a rider I am delighted with the enthusiasm and continued hard work toward improved safety in our sport. As a nation we have always been a major influence on world eventing and will use all the resource currently available to the BHTA to see the research programme to conclusion. Funding will be tough and additional support will be very welcome, nonetheless our resolve is to ensure eventing continues both nationally and internationally as a sport in which everyone can take pride with minimum risk to horse and rider”. For further information, in the first instance please contact BHTA Press Officer, Winnie Murphy on 024 76 698855 FEI/BHTA International Eventing Committee BHTA Safety Committee Marquess of Hartington CBE (Chairman) Michael Tucker (Chairman) Christopher Bartle GBR Hugh Thomas Dr Gerit Matthesen GER Michael Etherington-Smith Michael Tucker GBR Mark Phillips Lt. Col Gerry Mullins IRE Ian Stark David O’Connor USA Dr John Lloyd Parry Jackie Stewart OBE GBR Dr Sue Dyson Prof Inggar Leremin NOR Jonathan Warr Peter Durrant