Rider dislodgement events and participation outcomes in U.S. steeplechase racing: implications for jockeys and horses

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Markowitz This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9188128/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Steeplechase jockeys compete in a high-risk environment in which horses and riders must clear fixed obstacles at racing speed. Although rider dislodgement events are recognized hazards, little epidemiologic research has examined their incidence or their consequences for participation among riders or horses. Methods This retrospective observational study used publicly available race charts from National Steeplechase Association races conducted in the United States between 2023 and 2025. Flat races, apprentice-only races, and Steeplethon races were excluded. Rider dislodgement events were defined as falls or lost-rider events. Event rates were calculated per 1,000 starts, and Poisson regression compared timber and hurdle races. Work interruption was defined as ≥ 30 days during the active racing season. For November events, return in March was classified as < 30-day interruption, whereas return in April or later was classified as ≥ 30-day interruption; November 2025 events were administratively censored due to incomplete follow-up. Riders with 2023–2024 events and no subsequent start through 2025 were classified as not returning. Horse outcomes were evaluated using ≥ 60-day interruption and non-return to jump racing. Results Among 3,072 starts by 82 riders, 187 dislodgement events occurred (60.9 per 1,000 starts). Rates were higher in timber than hurdle races (103.5 vs 51.8 per 1,000; incidence rate ratio 2.00, 95% CI 1.46–2.73). Of 173 evaluable events, 26 (15.0%) were followed by interruption. At the rider level, 19 of 44 riders with at least one dislodgement event (43.2%) experienced ≥ 30-day interruption. Among riders with 2023–2024 events and sufficient follow-up (n = 38), 7 (18.4%) did not return to jump racing. Among horses, 26 did not return to jump racing after events in 2023–2024, including five fatalities. Conclusions Rider dislodgement events are common and more frequent in timber races. While most riders return quickly, a subset experience interruption or non-return, indicating variable but meaningful occupational impact. Horse outcomes suggest that these events may also be associated with cessation of jump racing. These findings support surveillance approaches that incorporate participation-based outcomes to better characterize injury burden in jump racing. Steeplechase racing jockey injuries occupational injury rider falls injury epidemiology horse racing safety Background Horse racing is a professional sport in which riders are exposed to substantial occupational hazards. Jockeys ride high-performance horses at speed in crowded race environments, creating risk for falls and other traumatic injuries. Previous research has documented injury patterns among jockeys and has shown that fall rates are considerably higher in jump racing than in flat racing, reflecting the added demands of negotiating obstacles under competitive conditions [ 1 – 4 ]. Steeplechase racing presents additional challenges because horses and riders must clear fixed obstacles such as hurdles or timber fences during races that can exceed three miles. Jump racing is conducted internationally, particularly in Great Britain and Ireland, where National Hunt racing constitutes a major component of the Thoroughbred racing calendar and generates tens of thousands of starts annually. By comparison, the U.S. steeplechase circuit is relatively small, typically producing approximately 1,000 starts per year. Despite its smaller scale, U.S. jump racing involves similar race conditions, including high speeds, long distances, and fixed obstacles, which may expose both horses and riders to elevated risk. Most epidemiologic research in jump racing has focused on horses rather than riders. Studies in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia have examined risk factors for horse falls and fatal outcomes in jump racing [ 5 – 7 ]. Rider-focused research is more limited and has largely emphasized fall incidence and injury patterns rather than participation outcomes [ 1 – 4 ]. As a result, little is known about how dislodgement events affect riders’ ability to continue racing or how these events relate to subsequent horse outcomes. Catastrophic outcomes have also been described in the context of jump racing. Falls are a recognized source of serious injury among jockeys, including fractures and head trauma, and can result in prolonged absence from racing [ 1 – 4 ]. Although rider fatalities have been reported in racing contexts, they have not been systematically characterized in epidemiologic studies. For horses, race-day falls and related incidents are strongly associated with fatal musculoskeletal injury and sudden death, with elevated fatality rates consistently reported in jump racing compared with flat racing [ 5 – 7 ]. Together, these findings underscore that dislodgement events, while common, have the potential for severe outcomes affecting both riders and horses. Interruption in racing participation may provide a practical indicator of injury severity and occupational impact. Events followed by prolonged absence or failure to return may reflect more serious injury or disruption to professional activity. Similarly, dislodgement events may have consequences for horses, including termination of racing careers or fatal outcomes. Evaluating both rider and horse outcomes following these events may therefore provide a more complete understanding of the impact of race-day incidents. The objective of this study was to quantify rider dislodgement events in U.S. NSA steeplechase racing, compare their incidence between hurdle and timber races as distinct racing environments, and evaluate participation outcomes for riders as well as subsequent racing outcomes for horses. Methods Study design and data sources This study examined rider dislodgement events in National Steeplechase Association (NSA) jump racing in the United States between 2023 and 2025. Publicly available race charts were reviewed for all eligible races during the study period. Flat races, apprentice-only races, and Steeplethon races were excluded to ensure comparability between hurdle and timber races. The final analytic dataset included 3,072 starts recorded by 82 riders. Event definitions Rider dislodgement events were identified from standardized outcome fields in official NSA race charts, where falls (F) and lost-rider (LR) events are recorded as part of the order of finish. Events were classified as falls, defined as instances in which the horse fell and the rider was unseated, or lost-rider events, defined as instances in which the rider became dislodged without the horse falling. The primary outcome was the combined measure of falls and lost-rider events. Rider participation outcomes To evaluate rider participation outcomes, the interval between a dislodgement event and the rider’s next recorded jump-racing start was calculated. Riders who mounted additional horses later on the same race card were retained, and the interval was measured from the rider’s final race on that day, as injury severity may not be immediately apparent. Work interruption was defined as an interval of at least 30 days between the rider’s final race on the day of the event and the next recorded start during the active racing season. Because U.S. steeplechase racing is seasonal ( no racing between December and February), events occurring in November were evaluated using a modified definition: riders who did not record a jump start during March of the following season were classified as having a prolonged interruption. Events occurring at the end of the 2025 season were treated as administratively censored. Riders with dislodgement events during the 2023–2024 seasons who did not record a subsequent start through the end of the 2025 season were classified as not returning to jump racing. Horse outcomes Horse outcomes were evaluated as secondary endpoints using publicly available race records. Short-term interruption was defined as an interval of ≥60 days between the event and the horse’s next recorded start. For longer-term outcomes, horses with dislodgement events in 2023–2024 that did not record a subsequent jump-racing start through the end of the 2025 season were classified as not returning to jump racing, allowing sufficient follow-up based on the final observed dislodgement event. Horses that subsequently competed in flat races were identified during manual review and were not considered to have ceased racing activity, although they were classified as not returning to jump racing. Horses were further categorized as experiencing immediate cessation if no subsequent race of any type was recorded, or delayed cessation if one additional race was recorded before no further racing occurred. Fatal outcomes were described among horses with immediate cessation. Statistical analysis Riders Incidence rates of rider dislodgement events were calculated per 1,000 starts overall and by race type. Incidence rate ratios comparing timber and hurdle races were estimated using Poisson regression with a log link. Among dislodgement events, rider work interruption was evaluated as the primary outcome. The proportion of events followed by ≥30-day interruption was calculated among evaluable events. At the rider level, the proportion of riders experiencing at least one interruption and the proportion not returning to jump racing were also calculated. Horses Horse-level analyses were secondary and descriptive. The number of horses experiencing one or more dislodgement events and the distribution of events per horse were summarized. For horses with dislodgement events, time to next start was calculated, and interruption (≥60 days) was estimated among events with observable follow-up, with horses lacking a subsequent start treated as right-censored. Longer-term outcomes were summarized as the number and proportion of horses not returning to jump racing. Outcomes were further categorized as immediate cessation, delayed cessation, or continuation in flat racing. Fatal outcomes were reported descriptively. All analyses were conducted using SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Ethics approval and consent to participate This study was based on publicly available race records and did not involve human participants, identifiable personal data, or direct animal use. Accordingly, institutional review board approval and animal ethics approval were not required. Results Rider dislodgement events and participation outcomes A total of 3,072 starts were recorded during the study period, including 2,531 in hurdle races and 541 in timber races (Table 1). Across these starts, 187 rider dislodgement events were identified, corresponding to an overall incidence of 60.9 per 1,000 starts (Table 2). Event rates differed substantially by race type. In hurdle races, 131 events occurred (51.8 per 1,000 starts), whereas 56 events occurred in timber races (103.5 per 1,000 starts). Poisson regression indicated that dislodgement events were approximately twice as frequent in timber races compared with hurdle races (incidence rate ratio 2.00, 95% CI 1.46–2.73; p < 0.001). Of the 187 dislodgement events, 173 were evaluable for participation outcomes after applying seasonal criteria (Table 3). Of these, 147 events (85.0%) were followed by return to racing within 30 days, whereas 26 events (15.0%) were followed by interruption. Eight late-season 2025 events were administratively censored, and six additional events could not be classified for short-term outcomes because no subsequent start was observed within the study period. Event-level outcomes summarize the consequences of individual dislodgement events (Table 3), whereas rider-level outcomes indicate the proportion of riders experiencing at least one interruption (Table 4). At the rider level, 19 of 44 riders (43.2%) with at least one dislodgement event experienced at least one interruption during follow-up (Table 4). Among riders with dislodgement events occurring in 2023–2024 and sufficient follow-up (n = 38), 7 (18.4%) did not return to jump racing through the end of the 2025 season. Event rates varied across riders and racetracks but were based on small numbers and showed substantial variability; these differences should therefore be interpreted cautiously. Horse outcomes following dislodgement events Horse-level follow-up identified 51 horses associated with rider dislodgement events (Table 5). Of these, 21 horses were classified as immediate cessation of jump racing, 16 as delayed cessation following one additional race, and 14 as continued racing on the flat. Five fatalities were identified among horses with immediate cessation of racing. For short-term outcomes, 132 events had a subsequent recorded start and were evaluable for participation intervals. Among these, 67 events (50.8%) were associated with interruptions of at least 60 days, while 65 (49.2%) were followed by return within 60 days; an additional 55 events were right-censored due to absence of subsequent race data within the observation period (Table 6A). Among horses with dislodgement events occurring in 2023–2024, 26 did not return to jump racing through the end of the 2025 season (Table 6B). The individual horses in this group are listed in Supplementary Table S1. Discussion Principal findings This study provides a comprehensive assessment of rider dislodgement events and their consequences in U.S. steeplechase racing. Rider dislodgement events occurred at a rate of approximately 61 per 1,000 starts and were substantially more frequent in timber races than in hurdle races. Despite this difference in incidence, most events were not associated with prolonged interruption from racing; among evaluable events, approximately 15% resulted in interruption. These findings suggest that while dislodgement events are relatively common, their immediate occupational impact varies. Taken together, the results position rider dislodgement as a common but variably consequential occupational hazard in jump racing, with implications for both injury surveillance and risk management. Event occurrence versus outcome severity The higher incidence of events in timber races indicates that characteristics of the racing environment, including obstacle structure and race distance, may influence the likelihood of rider dislodgement. However, the similarity in participation outcomes across race types suggests that factors influencing the occurrence of events may differ from those affecting recovery or return to racing. This distinction is important, as it indicates that risk factors for event occurrence may not directly translate into differences in outcome severity. Rider participation outcomes The rider participation findings highlight variability in occupational impact. Although most riders returned to racing quickly, a meaningful subset experienced interruption or did not return to racing during the observation period. These outcomes likely reflect a combination of injury severity, cumulative exposure, and external factors such as scheduling and opportunity. As such, participation-based measures provide a practical but indirect indicator of injury consequences. Participation-based outcomes represent indirect measures of injury and may underestimate events not resulting in time lost from racing. Although catastrophic rider outcomes are not systematically characterized in epidemiologic studies, the occurrence of non-return and prolonged interruption observed here is consistent with the potential for severe consequences following dislodgement events. Horse outcomes and system-level implications The inclusion of horse outcomes provides a complementary perspective on the consequences of dislodgement events. Among horses with such events, a proportion did not return to jump racing during follow-up, including five fatal cases. However, interpretation of these findings requires caution. Non-return to jump racing does not necessarily indicate cessation of all racing activity, as some horses were observed to continue racing on the flat. Accordingly, these results reflect cessation of participation in jump racing rather than definitive career-ending outcomes. Together, the rider and horse findings underscore that race-day incidents may have consequences for both participants in the racing system, although the nature and interpretation of these outcomes differ. Variability across riders and racetracks Some variability across riders and racetracks was observed, likely reflecting differences in exposure and random variation, particularly among those with smaller numbers of starts. Given the limited sample size, these differences should not be interpreted as evidence of consistent differences in risk across individuals or venues. Strengths and contribution to the literature The present study is unique in several respects. First, it examines rider dislodgement events using publicly available race-chart data across multiple seasons, enabling independent, reproducible analysis outside of formal injury surveillance systems. Second, it combines event-level incidence with rider-level participation outcomes, providing a bridge between traditional injury epidemiology and functional occupational impact. Third, it incorporates horse-level follow-up alongside rider outcomes, offering a more complete view of the consequences of race-day incidents within the racing system. To our knowledge, few prior studies in jump racing have integrated these elements within a single analytic framework. As a result, the findings extend beyond simple counts of falls or lost-rider events and provide insight into both the frequency and consequences of these events. Policy implications These findings have important implications for injury surveillance and safety policy in jump racing. The high frequency of dislodgement events, coupled with a lower proportion resulting in prolonged interruption, suggests that event counts alone may overestimate the burden of serious injury while underrepresenting functional outcomes. Incorporating participation-based measures, such as time to return to racing and non-return, into routine surveillance systems could provide a more informative assessment of rider safety. The higher incidence of events in timber races also supports consideration of race-type–specific safety strategies, including evaluation of obstacle design, course layout, and race distance. In addition, the ability to derive these findings from publicly available data highlights the value of transparent reporting systems. Expanding access to standardized, detailed race and injury data would facilitate ongoing monitoring, independent validation, and evidence-based safety interventions. Global relevance Although the present findings are based on U.S. National Steeplechase Association racing and are not directly generalizable to other jurisdictions, the implications may extend more broadly. Jump racing is conducted internationally across tens of thousands of starts each year, including major racing systems in Great Britain, Ireland, France, and Australia. Even if incidence rates and racing conditions differ across jurisdictions, the underlying phenomenon of rider dislodgement and its potential consequences for both riders and horses is common to all forms of jump racing. As such, relatively modest event rates observed within a single system may translate into a substantial cumulative burden when considered at a global scale. These results therefore highlight the potential importance of incorporating standardized, participation-based outcome measures into international injury surveillance systems and support the need for cross-jurisdictional comparisons to better understand and mitigate risks in jump racing worldwide. These findings align with broader occupational injury frameworks in which high-frequency events may have heterogeneous functional consequences. Limitations Several limitations should be considered. First, the study relied on publicly available race chart data rather than medical or veterinary records, limiting direct assessment of injury severity. Second, the relatively small size of the U.S. steeplechase circuit constrained statistical power. Third, participation outcomes are influenced by seasonal scheduling and do not fully capture the timing or context of return to racing. Finally, classification of horse outcomes required manual follow-up and may not capture racing activity beyond the observation period. Future research Future studies in jurisdictions with larger jump-racing populations could provide greater statistical power to evaluate both rider and horse outcomes. Linkage of race chart data with medical and veterinary records would allow more direct assessment of injury severity and recovery. In addition, analysis of other race outcomes, such as horses that are pulled up during races, may provide further insight into safety issues affecting both horses and riders. Improved surveillance systems that capture both incident events and subsequent participation outcomes would enhance understanding of risk in steeplechase racing. Conclusions Rider dislodgement events are relatively common in U.S. steeplechase racing and occur more frequently in timber races than in hurdle races. Although most events are not associated with prolonged interruption from racing, a meaningful subset results in ≥30-day absence or non-return among riders, indicating variable but potentially substantial occupational impact. Participation-based measures provide a practical approach to assessing the consequences of race-day incidents in the absence of detailed injury data and highlight that event frequency alone does not fully capture injury burden. The inclusion of horse outcomes further demonstrates that dislodgement events may also be associated with cessation of participation in jump racing, including a small number of fatal cases, which, despite small absolute numbers, is consistent with the higher fatality risk reported in jump racing compared with flat racing. Together, these findings underscore that rider dislodgement events represent a common but variably consequential risk in jump racing and support the need for integrated surveillance systems that capture both incident events and subsequent participation outcomes for riders and horses. Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate This study was based on publicly available race records and did not involve human participants, identifiable personal data, or direct animal use. Accordingly, institutional review board approval and animal ethics approval were not required. Consent for publication Not applicable. Availability of data and materials The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Competing interests The author declares that he has no competing interests. Funding No external funding was received for this study. Authors’ contributions JSM conceived the study, collected and curated the data, performed the statistical analyses, interpreted the results, and drafted and revised the manuscript. The author read and approved the final manuscript. Acknowledgements Arnav Parikh provided data collection support. References Turner M, McCrory P, Halley W. Injuries in professional horse racing in Great Britain and Ireland during 1992–2000. Br J Sports Med. 2002;36:403–9. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.36.6.403 . Hitchens PL, Blizzard CL, Jones G, Day LM. Falls and injuries in jockeys riding in Australian thoroughbred races. Inj Prev. 2009;15:164–8. https://doi.org/10.1136/ip.2008.020321 . Oikawa M, Kusunose R, Hasegawa M, et al. Jockey falls and injuries in Japanese jump racing. Equine Vet J. 2013;45:122–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00605.x . Hitchens PL, Morrice-West AV, Stevenson MR. Jockey injury patterns and time lost from racing following falls. Inj Epidemiol. 2017;4:16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-017-0112-1 . Parkin TDH, Clegg PD, French NP, Proudman CJ, Riggs CM, Singer ER, et al. Risk factors for fatal lateral condylar fracture of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone in UK racing Thoroughbreds. Equine Vet J. 2004;36:54–60. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516404775467388 . Boden LA, Anderson GA, Charles JA, Morgan KL, Morton JM, Parkin TDH, et al. Risk of fatality and causes of death of Thoroughbred horses associated with racing in Victoria, Australia: 1989–2004. Equine Vet J. 2006;38:312–8. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406777749182 . Parkin TDH, Clegg PD, French NP, Proudman CJ, Riggs CM, Singer ER. Horse falls in National Hunt racing in Great Britain: risk factors for falls and injuries. Equine Vet J. 2006;38:310–4. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406777749173 . Tables Table 1. Rider participation and exposure, NSA jump racing, 2023–2025 Measure Value Total riders 82 Total starts 3,072 Hurdle (fence) starts 2,531 Timber starts 541 Median starts per rider 8.5 Mean starts per rider 37.5 Maximum starts by a rider 276 Rider dislodgement events (F + LR) 187 Table 2. Rider dislodgement events by race type Race type Starts Falls Lost rider Total (F + LR) Rate per 1,000 starts Hurdle (fence) 2,531 74 57 131 51.8 Timber 541 36 20 56 103.5 Total 3,072 110 77 187 60.9 Poisson regression: IRR (timber vs hurdle) = 2.00 (95% CI 1.46–2.73), p < 0.001 Table 3. Rider participation outcomes following dislodgement events Outcome N Percent Return within <30 days 147 85 ≥30-day interruption 26 15 Total evaluable events 173 100 Administrative censoring (late 2025 events) 8 — Not classifiable (no subsequent start observed) 6 — Footnote : Percentages are based on evaluable events (n = 173). Administrative censoring reflects late-season 2025 events. Six additional events could not be classified for short-term outcomes because no subsequent start was observed within the study period. Table 4. Rider-level consequences Measure Numerator Denominator Percent Riders with ≥30-day interruption 19 44 43.2 Riders not returning to jump racing (2023–2024 events) 7 38 18.4 Table 5. Horse outcomes following rider dislodgement events Outcome N Percent of evaluated horses Immediate cessation of jump racing 21* 41.2 Delayed cessation (after one additional race) 16 31.4 Continued racing on the flat 14 27.5 Total evaluated horses 51 100 * Includes 5 fatalities Table 6A. Event-level horse participation outcomes following dislodgement events Outcome N Percent ≥60-day interruption 67 50.8 <60-day return 65 49.2 Right-censored events 55 — Footnote: Percentages are calculated among events with observable follow-up (n = 132). Table 6B. Horse-level outcomes following dislodgement events (2023–2024) Outcome N Percent Horses not returning to jump racing 26 100 Fatalities (subset of non-return) 5 19.2 Footnote: Percentages are calculated among horses not returning to jump racing (n = 26). Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files RIDERDISLODGEMENTInjuryEpidemiologyMarch212026SuppTable1.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. 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Jockeys ride high-performance horses at speed in crowded race environments, creating risk for falls and other traumatic injuries. Previous research has documented injury patterns among jockeys and has shown that fall rates are considerably higher in jump racing than in flat racing, reflecting the added demands of negotiating obstacles under competitive conditions [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR2 CR3\" citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSteeplechase racing presents additional challenges because horses and riders must clear fixed obstacles such as hurdles or timber fences during races that can exceed three miles. Jump racing is conducted internationally, particularly in Great Britain and Ireland, where National Hunt racing constitutes a major component of the Thoroughbred racing calendar and generates tens of thousands of starts annually. By comparison, the U.S. steeplechase circuit is relatively small, typically producing approximately 1,000 starts per year. Despite its smaller scale, U.S. jump racing involves similar race conditions, including high speeds, long distances, and fixed obstacles, which may expose both horses and riders to elevated risk.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMost epidemiologic research in jump racing has focused on horses rather than riders. Studies in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia have examined risk factors for horse falls and fatal outcomes in jump racing [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR6\" citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. Rider-focused research is more limited and has largely emphasized fall incidence and injury patterns rather than participation outcomes [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR2 CR3\" citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. As a result, little is known about how dislodgement events affect riders\u0026rsquo; ability to continue racing or how these events relate to subsequent horse outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCatastrophic outcomes have also been described in the context of jump racing. Falls are a recognized source of serious injury among jockeys, including fractures and head trauma, and can result in prolonged absence from racing [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR2 CR3\" citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Although rider fatalities have been reported in racing contexts, they have not been systematically characterized in epidemiologic studies. For horses, race-day falls and related incidents are strongly associated with fatal musculoskeletal injury and sudden death, with elevated fatality rates consistently reported in jump racing compared with flat racing [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR6\" citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. Together, these findings underscore that dislodgement events, while common, have the potential for severe outcomes affecting both riders and horses.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInterruption in racing participation may provide a practical indicator of injury severity and occupational impact. Events followed by prolonged absence or failure to return may reflect more serious injury or disruption to professional activity. Similarly, dislodgement events may have consequences for horses, including termination of racing careers or fatal outcomes. Evaluating both rider and horse outcomes following these events may therefore provide a more complete understanding of the impact of race-day incidents.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe objective of this study was to quantify rider dislodgement events in U.S. NSA steeplechase racing, compare their incidence between hurdle and timber races as distinct racing environments, and evaluate participation outcomes for riders as well as subsequent racing outcomes for horses.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudy design and data sources\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study examined rider dislodgement events in National Steeplechase Association (NSA) jump racing in the United States between 2023 and 2025. Publicly available race charts were reviewed for all eligible races during the study period.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlat races, apprentice-only races, and Steeplethon races were excluded to ensure comparability between hurdle and timber races. The final analytic dataset included 3,072 starts recorded by 82 riders.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvent definitions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRider dislodgement events were identified from standardized outcome fields in official NSA race charts, where falls (F) and lost-rider (LR) events are recorded as part of the order of finish. Events were classified as falls, defined as instances in which the horse fell and the rider was unseated, or lost-rider events, defined as instances in which the rider became dislodged without the horse falling. The primary outcome was the combined measure of falls and lost-rider events.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRider participation outcomes\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo evaluate rider participation outcomes, the interval between a dislodgement event and the rider’s next recorded jump-racing start was calculated. Riders who mounted additional horses later on the same race card were retained, and the interval was measured from the rider’s final race on that day, as injury severity may not be immediately apparent.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWork interruption was defined as an interval of at least 30 days between the rider’s final race on the day of the event and the next recorded start during the active racing season. Because U.S. steeplechase racing is seasonal ( no racing between December and February), events occurring in November were evaluated using a modified definition: riders who did not record a jump start during March of the following season were classified as having a prolonged interruption. Events occurring at the end of the 2025 season were treated as administratively censored.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRiders with dislodgement events during the 2023–2024 seasons who did not record a subsequent start through the end of the 2025 season were classified as not returning to jump racing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHorse outcomes\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHorse outcomes were evaluated as secondary endpoints using publicly available race records. Short-term interruption was defined as an interval of ≥60 days between the event and the horse’s next recorded start.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor longer-term outcomes, horses with dislodgement events in 2023–2024 that did not record a subsequent jump-racing start through the end of the 2025 season were classified as not returning to jump racing, allowing sufficient follow-up based on the final observed dislodgement event.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHorses that subsequently competed in flat races were identified during manual review and were not considered to have ceased racing activity, although they were classified as not returning to jump racing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHorses were further categorized as experiencing immediate cessation if no subsequent race of any type was recorded, or delayed cessation if one additional race was recorded before no further racing occurred. Fatal outcomes were described among horses with immediate cessation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRiders\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncidence rates of rider dislodgement events were calculated per 1,000 starts overall and by race type. Incidence rate ratios comparing timber and hurdle races were estimated using Poisson regression with a log link.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong dislodgement events, rider work interruption was evaluated as the primary outcome. The proportion of events followed by ≥30-day interruption was calculated among evaluable events. At the rider level, the proportion of riders experiencing at least one interruption and the proportion not returning to jump racing were also calculated.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHorses\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHorse-level analyses were secondary and descriptive. The number of horses experiencing one or more dislodgement events and the distribution of events per horse were summarized.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor horses with dislodgement events, time to next start was calculated, and interruption (≥60 days) was estimated among events with observable follow-up, with horses lacking a subsequent start treated as right-censored.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLonger-term outcomes were summarized as the number and proportion of horses not returning to jump racing. Outcomes were further categorized as immediate cessation, delayed cessation, or continuation in flat racing. Fatal outcomes were reported descriptively.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll analyses were conducted using SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was based on publicly available race records and did not involve human participants, identifiable personal data, or direct animal use. Accordingly, institutional review board approval and animal ethics approval were not required.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRider dislodgement events and participation outcomes\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA total of 3,072 starts were recorded during the study period, including 2,531 in hurdle races and 541 in timber races (Table 1). Across these starts, 187 rider dislodgement events were identified, corresponding to an overall incidence of 60.9 per 1,000 starts (Table 2). Event rates differed substantially by race type. In hurdle races, 131 events occurred (51.8 per 1,000 starts), whereas 56 events occurred in timber races (103.5 per 1,000 starts). Poisson regression indicated that dislodgement events were approximately twice as frequent in timber races compared with hurdle races (incidence rate ratio 2.00, 95% CI 1.46–2.73; p \u0026lt; 0.001).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf the 187 dislodgement events, 173 were evaluable for participation outcomes after applying seasonal criteria (Table 3). Of these, 147 events (85.0%) were followed by return to racing within 30 days, whereas 26 events (15.0%) were followed by interruption. Eight late-season 2025 events were administratively censored, and six additional events could not be classified for short-term outcomes because no subsequent start was observed within the study period.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvent-level outcomes summarize the consequences of individual dislodgement events (Table 3), whereas rider-level outcomes indicate the proportion of riders experiencing at least one interruption (Table 4).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the rider level, 19 of 44 riders (43.2%) with at least one dislodgement event experienced at least one interruption during follow-up (Table 4). Among riders with dislodgement events occurring in 2023–2024 and sufficient follow-up (n = 38), 7 (18.4%) did not return to jump racing through the end of the 2025 season.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvent rates varied across riders and racetracks but were based on small numbers and showed substantial variability; these differences should therefore be interpreted cautiously.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHorse outcomes following dislodgement events\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHorse-level follow-up identified 51 horses associated with rider dislodgement events (Table 5). Of these, 21 horses were classified as immediate cessation of jump racing, 16 as delayed cessation following one additional race, and 14 as continued racing on the flat. Five fatalities were identified among horses with immediate cessation of racing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor short-term outcomes, 132 events had a subsequent recorded start and were evaluable for participation intervals. \u0026nbsp;Among these, 67 events (50.8%) were associated with interruptions of at least 60 days, while 65 (49.2%) were followed by return within 60 days; an additional 55 events were right-censored due to absence of subsequent race data within the observation period (Table 6A).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong horses with dislodgement events occurring in 2023–2024, 26 did not return to jump racing through the end of the 2025 season (Table 6B). The individual horses in this group are listed in Supplementary Table S1.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrincipal findings\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study provides a comprehensive assessment of rider dislodgement events and their consequences in U.S. steeplechase racing. Rider dislodgement events occurred at a rate of approximately 61 per 1,000 starts and were substantially more frequent in timber races than in hurdle races. Despite this difference in incidence, most events were not associated with prolonged interruption from racing; among evaluable events, approximately 15% resulted in interruption. These findings suggest that while dislodgement events are relatively common, their immediate occupational impact varies. Taken together, the results position rider dislodgement as a common but variably consequential occupational hazard in jump racing, with implications for both injury surveillance and risk management.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvent occurrence versus outcome severity\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe higher incidence of events in timber races indicates that characteristics of the racing environment, including obstacle structure and race distance, may influence the likelihood of rider dislodgement. However, the similarity in participation outcomes across race types suggests that factors influencing the occurrence of events may differ from those affecting recovery or return to racing. This distinction is important, as it indicates that risk factors for event occurrence may not directly translate into differences in outcome severity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRider participation outcomes\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rider participation findings highlight variability in occupational impact. Although most riders returned to racing quickly, a meaningful subset experienced interruption or did not return to racing during the observation period. These outcomes likely reflect a combination of injury severity, cumulative exposure, and external factors such as scheduling and opportunity. As such, participation-based measures provide a practical but indirect indicator of injury consequences. Participation-based outcomes represent indirect measures of injury and may underestimate events not resulting in time lost from racing. Although catastrophic rider outcomes are not systematically characterized in epidemiologic studies, the occurrence of non-return and prolonged interruption observed here is consistent with the potential for severe consequences following dislodgement events.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHorse outcomes and system-level implications\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inclusion of horse outcomes provides a complementary perspective on the consequences of dislodgement events. Among horses with such events, a proportion did not return to jump racing during follow-up, including five fatal cases. However, interpretation of these findings requires caution. Non-return to jump racing does not necessarily indicate cessation of all racing activity, as some horses were observed to continue racing on the flat. Accordingly, these results reflect cessation of participation in jump racing rather than definitive career-ending outcomes. Together, the rider and horse findings underscore that race-day incidents may have consequences for both participants in the racing system, although the nature and interpretation of these outcomes differ.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariability across riders and racetracks\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome variability across riders and racetracks was observed, likely reflecting differences in exposure and random variation, particularly among those with smaller numbers of starts. Given the limited sample size, these differences should not be interpreted as evidence of consistent differences in risk across individuals or venues.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStrengths and contribution to the literature\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe present study is unique in several respects. First, it examines rider dislodgement events using publicly available race-chart data across multiple seasons, enabling independent, reproducible analysis outside of formal injury surveillance systems. Second, it combines event-level incidence with rider-level participation outcomes, providing a bridge between traditional injury epidemiology and functional occupational impact. Third, it incorporates horse-level follow-up alongside rider outcomes, offering a more complete view of the consequences of race-day incidents within the racing system. To our knowledge, few prior studies in jump racing have integrated these elements within a single analytic framework. As a result, the findings extend beyond simple counts of falls or lost-rider events and provide insight into both the frequency and consequences of these events.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePolicy implications\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese findings have important implications for injury surveillance and safety policy in jump racing. The high frequency of dislodgement events, coupled with a lower proportion resulting in prolonged interruption, suggests that event counts alone may overestimate the burden of serious injury while underrepresenting functional outcomes. Incorporating participation-based measures, such as time to return to racing and non-return, into routine surveillance systems could provide a more informative assessment of rider safety. The higher incidence of events in timber races also supports consideration of race-type–specific safety strategies, including evaluation of obstacle design, course layout, and race distance. In addition, the ability to derive these findings from publicly available data highlights the value of transparent reporting systems. Expanding access to standardized, detailed race and injury data would facilitate ongoing monitoring, independent validation, and evidence-based safety interventions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGlobal relevance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlthough the present findings are based on U.S. National Steeplechase Association racing and are not directly generalizable to other jurisdictions, the implications may extend more broadly. Jump racing is conducted internationally across tens of thousands of starts each year, including major racing systems in Great Britain, Ireland, France, and Australia. Even if incidence rates and racing conditions differ across jurisdictions, the underlying phenomenon of rider dislodgement and its potential consequences for both riders and horses is common to all forms of jump racing. As such, relatively modest event rates observed within a single system may translate into a substantial cumulative burden when considered at a global scale. These results therefore highlight the potential importance of incorporating standardized, participation-based outcome measures into international injury surveillance systems and support the need for cross-jurisdictional comparisons to better understand and mitigate risks in jump racing worldwide. These findings align with broader occupational injury frameworks in which high-frequency events may have heterogeneous functional consequences.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLimitations\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral limitations should be considered. First, the study relied on publicly available race chart data rather than medical or veterinary records, limiting direct assessment of injury severity. Second, the relatively small size of the U.S. steeplechase circuit constrained statistical power. Third, participation outcomes are influenced by seasonal scheduling and do not fully capture the timing or context of return to racing. Finally, classification of horse outcomes required manual follow-up and may not capture racing activity beyond the observation period.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFuture research\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFuture studies in jurisdictions with larger jump-racing populations could provide greater statistical power to evaluate both rider and horse outcomes. Linkage of race chart data with medical and veterinary records would allow more direct assessment of injury severity and recovery. In addition, analysis of other race outcomes, such as horses that are pulled up during races, may provide further insight into safety issues affecting both horses and riders. Improved surveillance systems that capture both incident events and subsequent participation outcomes would enhance understanding of risk in steeplechase racing.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eRider dislodgement events are relatively common in U.S. steeplechase racing and occur more frequently in timber races than in hurdle races. Although most events are not associated with prolonged interruption from racing, a meaningful subset results in ≥30-day absence or non-return among riders, indicating variable but potentially substantial occupational impact.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticipation-based measures provide a practical approach to assessing the consequences of race-day incidents in the absence of detailed injury data and highlight that event frequency alone does not fully capture injury burden. The inclusion of horse outcomes further demonstrates that dislodgement events may also be associated with cessation of participation in jump racing, including a small number of fatal cases, which, despite small absolute numbers, is consistent with the higher fatality risk reported in jump racing compared with flat racing. Together, these findings underscore that rider dislodgement events represent a common but variably consequential risk in jump racing and support the need for integrated surveillance systems that capture both incident events and subsequent participation outcomes for riders and horses.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was based on publicly available race records and did not involve human participants, identifiable personal data, or direct animal use. Accordingly, institutional review board approval and animal ethics approval were not required.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author declares that he has no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo external funding was received for this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors’ contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJSM conceived the study, collected and curated the data, performed the statistical analyses, interpreted the results, and drafted and revised the manuscript. The author read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArnav Parikh provided data collection support.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTurner M, McCrory P, Halley W. Injuries in professional horse racing in Great Britain and Ireland during 1992\u0026ndash;2000. Br J Sports Med. 2002;36:403\u0026ndash;9. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.36.6.403\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1136/bjsm.36.6.403\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHitchens PL, Blizzard CL, Jones G, Day LM. Falls and injuries in jockeys riding in Australian thoroughbred races. Inj Prev. 2009;15:164\u0026ndash;8. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1136/ip.2008.020321\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1136/ip.2008.020321\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOikawa M, Kusunose R, Hasegawa M, et al. Jockey falls and injuries in Japanese jump racing. Equine Vet J. 2013;45:122\u0026ndash;7. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00605.x\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00605.x\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHitchens PL, Morrice-West AV, Stevenson MR. Jockey injury patterns and time lost from racing following falls. Inj Epidemiol. 2017;4:16. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-017-0112-1\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1186/s40621-017-0112-1\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParkin TDH, Clegg PD, French NP, Proudman CJ, Riggs CM, Singer ER, et al. Risk factors for fatal lateral condylar fracture of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone in UK racing Thoroughbreds. Equine Vet J. 2004;36:54\u0026ndash;60. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.2746/042516404775467388\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.2746/042516404775467388\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoden LA, Anderson GA, Charles JA, Morgan KL, Morton JM, Parkin TDH, et al. Risk of fatality and causes of death of Thoroughbred horses associated with racing in Victoria, Australia: 1989\u0026ndash;2004. Equine Vet J. 2006;38:312\u0026ndash;8. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.2746/042516406777749182\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.2746/042516406777749182\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParkin TDH, Clegg PD, French NP, Proudman CJ, Riggs CM, Singer ER. Horse falls in National Hunt racing in Great Britain: risk factors for falls and injuries. Equine Vet J. 2006;38:310\u0026ndash;4. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.2746/042516406777749173\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.2746/042516406777749173\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Tables","content":"\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"240\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 240px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1. Rider participation and exposure, NSA jump racing, 2023\u0026ndash;2025\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 176px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeasure\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eValue\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 176px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal riders\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e82\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 176px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal starts\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3,072\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 176px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHurdle (fence) starts\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2,531\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 176px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTimber starts\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e541\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 176px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMedian starts per rider\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 176px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean starts per rider\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e37.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 176px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMaximum starts by a rider\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e276\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 176px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRider dislodgement events (F + LR)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e187\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"439\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"6\" style=\"width: 439px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2. Rider dislodgement events by race type\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 119px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRace type\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStarts\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFalls\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLost rider\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal (F + LR)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRate per 1,000 starts\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 119px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHurdle (fence)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2,531\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e57\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e131\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 119px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTimber\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e541\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e103.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 119px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3,072\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e110\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e77\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e187\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e60.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"6\" style=\"width: 439px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePoisson regression: IRR (timber vs hurdle) = 2.00 (95% CI 1.46\u0026ndash;2.73), p \u0026lt; 0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"343\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" style=\"width: 343px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 3. Rider participation outcomes following dislodgement events\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 215px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutcome\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercent\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 215px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eReturn within \u0026lt;30 days\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e147\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 215px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;30-day interruption\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 215px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal evaluable events\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e173\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 215px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAdministrative censoring (late 2025 events)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 215px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNot classifiable (no subsequent start observed)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" style=\"width: 343px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFootnote\u003c/strong\u003e: Percentages are based on evaluable events (n = 173). Administrative censoring reflects late-season 2025 events. Six additional events could not be classified for short-term outcomes because no subsequent start was observed within the study period.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"424\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"4\" style=\"width: 424px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 4. Rider-level consequences\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeasure\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumerator\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDenominator\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercent\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRiders with \u0026ge;30-day interruption\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 135px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRiders not returning to jump racing (2023\u0026ndash;2024 events)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"424\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"width: 424px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 5. Horse outcomes following rider dislodgement events\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 216px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutcome\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercent of evaluated horses\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 216px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eImmediate cessation of jump racing\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e41.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 216px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDelayed cessation (after one additional race)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 216px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eContinued racing on the flat\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 216px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal evaluated horses\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 216px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e* Includes 5 fatalities\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"292\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" style=\"width: 292px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 6A. Event-level horse participation outcomes following dislodgement events\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 151px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutcome\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercent\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 151px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;60-day interruption\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 151px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;60-day return\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e49.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 151px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRight-censored events\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 71px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" style=\"width: 292px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFootnote:\u003c/strong\u003e Percentages are calculated among events with observable follow-up (n = 132).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"308\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" style=\"width: 308px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 6B. Horse-level outcomes following dislodgement events (2023\u0026ndash;2024)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 180px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 180px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutcome\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercent\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 180px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHorses not returning to jump racing\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 180px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFatalities (subset of non-return)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" style=\"width: 308px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFootnote:\u003c/strong\u003e Percentages are calculated among horses not returning to jump racing (n = 26).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Steeplechase racing, jockey injuries, occupational injury, rider falls, injury epidemiology, horse racing safety","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9188128/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9188128/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSteeplechase jockeys compete in a high-risk environment in which horses and riders must clear fixed obstacles at racing speed. Although rider dislodgement events are recognized hazards, little epidemiologic research has examined their incidence or their consequences for participation among riders or horses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis retrospective observational study used publicly available race charts from National Steeplechase Association races conducted in the United States between 2023 and 2025. Flat races, apprentice-only races, and Steeplethon races were excluded. Rider dislodgement events were defined as falls or lost-rider events. Event rates were calculated per 1,000 starts, and Poisson regression compared timber and hurdle races. Work interruption was defined as \u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;30 days during the active racing season. For November events, return in March was classified as \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;30-day interruption, whereas return in April or later was classified as \u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;30-day interruption; November 2025 events were administratively censored due to incomplete follow-up. Riders with 2023\u0026ndash;2024 events and no subsequent start through 2025 were classified as not returning. Horse outcomes were evaluated using\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;60-day interruption and non-return to jump racing.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmong 3,072 starts by 82 riders, 187 dislodgement events occurred (60.9 per 1,000 starts). Rates were higher in timber than hurdle races (103.5 vs 51.8 per 1,000; incidence rate ratio 2.00, 95% CI 1.46\u0026ndash;2.73). Of 173 evaluable events, 26 (15.0%) were followed by interruption. At the rider level, 19 of 44 riders with at least one dislodgement event (43.2%) experienced\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;30-day interruption. Among riders with 2023\u0026ndash;2024 events and sufficient follow-up (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;38), 7 (18.4%) did not return to jump racing. Among horses, 26 did not return to jump racing after events in 2023\u0026ndash;2024, including five fatalities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRider dislodgement events are common and more frequent in timber races. While most riders return quickly, a subset experience interruption or non-return, indicating variable but meaningful occupational impact. Horse outcomes suggest that these events may also be associated with cessation of jump racing. These findings support surveillance approaches that incorporate participation-based outcomes to better characterize injury burden in jump racing.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Rider dislodgement events and participation outcomes in U.S. steeplechase racing: implications for jockeys and horses","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-03-26 18:29:10","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9188128/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"3c8fa72c-f6ae-4e99-b5cd-69b3aebd454b","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 26th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-18T22:09:01+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-03-26 18:29:10","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9188128","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9188128","identity":"rs-9188128","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}