Equine Event Liabilities – Plan Ahead
Your club or association wants to organize a horse show or clinic. These events, your group believes, will boost publicity, increase membership, and generate extra money. Usually the event is a success, leaving happy memories and satisfied participants. But sometimes, things can go wrong, such as:
- While showing in an equitation class, a competitor got kicked in the knee by another competitor’s horse. The injured competitor sued the show and others.
- A horse spooked while its trainer was saddling it, broke away, and ran loose through the show grounds causing other horses to spook and running over a spectator. The injured spectator sued the show, the trainer, and others.
- During the line-up, as competitors awaited their placings, a horse spooked, threw its rider, jumped out of the arena, and seriously injured people on the show grounds. They sued.
- After a teenage rider fell from her horse in a class, the horse became loose and collided with the judge. The judge sued the teenager, her trainer, show management, and others.
These incidents actually occurred at shows, and I personally defended each of these lawsuits.
Across the country, numerous other examples exist of lawsuits involving equine events. Here are a few:
Accidents can occur in the warm-up ring. In a 1988 Louisiana case, the plaintiff was exercising her horse in a warm-up area when she struck a utility guywire. She was injured and sued the club and several others. In a 1993 Georgia case, the plaintiff was hurt in the practice ring when a horse came off of a jump and collided with her.
Accidents can occur in the show ring. A 1994 New York case involved an injured competitor in a fitting and showing class whose horse nosed up to the horse lined up ahead, causing that horse to kick out and injure the competitor.
Spectators can be hurt at the event. In a 1998 Nebraska case, a horse that was galloping into the arena at a rodeo collided with a spectator who was walking to his seat. In a 1996 Texas case involving a barrel racing event, a spectator was struck in the eye when the horse kicked up a rock. A 1988 Pennsylvania case involved a loose team of horses at a horse pulling event that collided with a spectator. A 1959 California case involved a horse competing in a jumping class that jumped out of the arena and struck a spectator.
Risk Management Options
Because of the risk of lawsuits, associations and clubs that sponsor equine events have every reason to plan ahead. Opinions can differ on what proactive measures are most appropriate. The measures undertaken will depend on the type of event, type and number of animals involved, location, applicable laws, and personal preferences. Here are a few ideas.
- Event Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is important. Should an incident occur that gives rise to a claim, and if the claim is covered, the insurer will assign defense counsel, defend the action, pay legal fees, and pay settlements or judgments as the policy allows. Without insurance coverage, few equine clubs or associations are financially capable of paying these expenses.
Carefully discuss your coverage options with a knowledgeable insurance agent because event insurance policies can be complicated. Some policies exclude coverage for claims brought by participants who are injured while practicing for or participating in the event. In a 1979 case, for example, a cutting horse competitor died when his horse slipped and fell on him during competition. His estate sued, blaming the fall on improper arena footing. Wisconsin’s Supreme Court held that coverage was properly excluded because the competitor was a “participant” at the time of the accident, and the event’s insurance policy excluded coverage for claims of injured participants.
- Participant Waivers/Releases
Show management can consider requiring all participants of legal age (or, where allowed by law, minor participants’ parents or legally appointed guardians) to sign liability releases. In the eyes of the law, horse trainers and riding instructors very rarely qualify as “guardians” for their clients’ minor children. Courts in most states have shown a willingness to enforce releases – if they are properly written and signed. Some states prevent parents from releasing claims of their minor children through pre-incident waivers or releases. A knowledgeable lawyer can explain what the applicable state allows and can draft or review your release form.
- Equine Activity “Warning” Signs
Equine activity liability acts (now in all states except New York, California, and Maryland) sometimes provide that “equine activity sponsors” should post “warning” or other signs. In a 1996 Georgia case, involving an experienced fox hunter who was kicked during the activity, the court took note that event organizers posted a “warning” sign on a vehicle windshield near the hunt’s starting point.
- Showground Rental Agreement Issues
Associations and clubs often rent showgrounds for their events. In doing so, they should be extra careful before signing rental contracts and leases. While these documents are important, some provisions could be troublesome down the line. For example, property leases sometimes include indemnification and “hold harmless” clauses through which the club must release and protect the property owner. Read all contracts carefully and consider having a lawyer review these documents.
Conclusion
Associations and clubs would be wise to plan for the risk of liability for their events. This is especially true in our litigious society.
This article does not constitute legal advice. When questions arise based on specific situations, direct them to a knowledgeable attorney.
Categories: Boarding, Lawsuit, Liability
Julie Fershtman is considered to be one of the nation's leading attorneys in the field of equine law. She has successfully tried equine cases before juries in four states. A frequent author and speaker on legal issues, she has written over 400 published articles, four books, and has lectured at seminars, conventions, and conferences in 29 states on issues involving law, liability, risk management, and insurance. For more information, please also visit www.fershtmanlaw.com and www.equinelaw.net, and www.equinelaw.info.
View All Posts by Author ›Top 10 Things The Equine Community Needs To Know About Equine Liability Laws
"Julie Fershtman is considered by many to be the nation's leading expert on equine activity liability acts. Her 30-minute presentation for a recent educational webinar on equine activity liability acts for the American Horse Council is available for viewing. Please take a look, here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCROISSPMJs
Fershtman’s Equine Law Book Wins Fourth National Award
Julie Fershtman’s latest book, Equine Law and Horse Sense, won its fourth national award on May 31, 2021. It was selected to receive a "Finalist" Medal in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
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Fershtman’s Equine Law Book Receives Third National Award
Julie Fershtman’s book, Equine Law & Horse Sense, published by the American Bar Association, has been selected to receive a 2020 NYC Big Book Award in the category of “Reference” books.
The NYC Big Book Awards draws nominations world-wide. This is the third award for Fershtman’s book since its publication last year. Here is a link for more information, and to see the list of winners: https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/2020winners
Information on the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/164105493X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0
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Upcoming Speaking Engagements
In 2022, Julie Fershtman is scheduled to be a speaker on equine liability at these conventions:
- American Horse Council Annual Meeting and National Issues Forum, Washington D.C. - June 6, 2022
- National Conference on Equine Law, Lexington, Kentucky – May 4, 2022
- IRMI Agribusiness Conference (“AgriCon”), Sacramento, California – March 8, 2022
- New York State Bar Association Equine Law Symposium (virtual conference) – February 9, 2022
Fershtman’s Equine Law Book Receives Second National Award
Julie Fershtman’s book, Equine Law & Horse Sense, published by the American Bar Association, has been selected to receive a 2020 NYC Big Book Award in the category of “Reference” books.
The NYC Big Book Awards draws nominations world-wide. This is the third award for Fershtman’s book since its publication last year. Here is a link for more information, and to see the list of winners: https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/2020winners
Information on the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/164105493X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0
Honors & Recognitions
Equine lawyer, Julie Fershtman, has received these prestigious equine industry awards from respected equine organizations:
"Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award" - American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Law Section Animal Law Committee
"Distinguished Service Award" - American Youth Horse Council
"Industry Service Award" - Michigan Equine Partnership
"Catalyst Award"- Michigan Horse Council
"Outstanding Achievement Award" - American Riding Instructors Association
"Partner in Safety Award" - American Riding Instructors Association
"Associate Service Award" - United Professional Horseman's Association
"National Partnership in Safety" Award" - Certified Horsemanship Association
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Handling breach of contract, fraud/ misrepresentation, commercial code, and other claims involving equine-related transactions including purchases/sales, leases, mare leases/foal transfers, and partnerships.
Litigating a wide variety of equine-related disputes in court or through alternative dispute resolution (arbitration, mediation, facilitation).
Defending equine/farm/equestrian industry professionals, businesses, and associations in personal injury claims and lawsuits.
Drafting and negotiating contracts for boarding, training, sales, waivers/releases, leases, and numerous other equine-related transactions.
Representing and advising insurers on coverage and policy language as well as litigation;
Advising equine industry clubs and associations regarding management, rules, bylaws, disputes, and regulations.
Representing some of the equine industry's top trainers, competitors, stables, and associations.
Counseling industry professionals, stable managers, and individual horse owners.
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Did you know Julie Fershtman has spoken at the American Horse Council Annual Meeting, Equine Affaire, US Hunter/Jumper Association Annual Meeting, Midwest Horse Fair, Equitana USA, US Dressage Federation Annual Meeting, North American Riding for the Handicapped (now PATH International) Annual Meeting, American Paint Horse Association Annual Meeting, US Pony Clubs, Inc.'s Annual Meeting, All-American Quarter Horse Congress, American Youth Horse Council Annual Meeting, American Riding Instructors Association Annual Meeting, CHA Annual Meeting, and numerous others? Consider signing her up for your convention. Contact Julie directly.
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