TRAGIC accidents involving horses and ponies came to the fore this week with the holding of the Dublin District Coroner’s Court inquest into the death of rising star Tiggy Hancock (15) and separately, the initiation of court proceedings by the family of an American couple sadly killed in a freak jaunting car accident while on holiday in Co Kerry.

Coroner Aisling Gannon extended her deep condolences to Tiggy’s bereaved family after hearing the evidence of the tragic accident that claimed her young life on June 16th 2021 during a HSI High Performance training day at Greenogue.

Greater awareness

The Coroner’s Court heard evidence that the pony did not appear to fully register the obstacle, reported as being brown in colour against a brown background.

The Inquest heard that following this tragedy, there was greater awareness in the sport about the safety of cross-country jumps.

The Coroner will request Horse Sport Ireland to provide national guidance on cross-country jumps and the need to also take the vision of equines into account.

The shocking loss of the ultra talented Tiggy will forever be keenly felt by her loving family, many friends and the entire equestrian community, at home and abroad.

While it is just not possible to prevent such tragedies from occurring, everything that can possibly be done simply must be done and done without any unnecessary delay whatsoever.

Equestrian sport and leisure needs to ensure it learns all the hard lessons possible from such devastating losses.