By the Editors of Practical Horseman magazine

© Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore

In support of the objectives of the U.S. Equestrian Federation Eventing Safety Summit in Lexington, Ky., June 7-8, Practical Horseman magazine has put together a collection of seven articles that address eventing safety, covering topics from riding and training to equine health. The articles include:

• Are You Qualified or Are You READY? (PDF)
  Everyone--especially the rider--has a part in making eventing safer. Jim Wofford shares tips for rating your riding.

• Master the Coffin Canter for Safety and Success, Part 1 (PDF)
  U.S. Eventing Association Level 4 instructor Brian Sabo explains why this gait is the key to jumping most cross-country obstacles.

• Master the Coffin Canter for Safety and Success, Part 2 (PDF)
  In the second of a two-part series, you'll learn how to apply this "carrying" canter on course.

• Take a Flyer (PDF)
  Gallop "fly fences" comfortably out of stride with these pointers from international eventer Bonnie Mosser

• A Healthy Heart for Top Performance
  Learn to check your horse's heart rate and tailor his conditioning program to make him stronger and fitter.

• Jim Wofford: Eventing Lives in the Balance
  Why are event horses falling and, sometimes, dying? Olympian Jim Wofford suggests some answers in this Practical Horseman online exclusive.

• On the Rail: Stemming the Tide of Eventing Tragedies
  Practical Horseman talks to eventing's leaders about proposed changes to make the sport safer, after a spate of equine and human deaths.

• First Postcard: 2008 Eventing Safety Summit
  June 7, 2008 -- Riders and officialls gather in Lexington for the first U.S. Equestrian Federation/U.S. Eventing Association Safety Summit.

• Final Postcard: 2008 Eventing Safety Summit
  June 8, 2008 -- Concepts and suggestions coalesce into possible action items on the final day of the U.S. Equestrian Federation/U.S. Eventing Association Eventing Safety Summit.

Practical Horseman and EquiSearch.com are proud to sponsor the 2008 USEF Eventing Safety Summit.

The August 2008 issue of Practical Horseman will include the feature "Ensure Eventing's Future," which aims to answer three questions: How statistically dangerous is eventing? What causes do top horsemen think are behind the falls? And what are the likely remedies?