If you train riders in any discipline, at any level, a recent decision from an appellate court in California should give you pause.

In November 2006, while competing in a two-star eventing competition at Galway Downs near Temecula, California, 17-year-old Mia Eriksson was killed during the cross country phase. Her horse, Koryography, fell at a water jump and the rider came off over the animal’s head. Koryography then landed on Eriksson. She was rushed to a hospital but died two days later from injuries suffered in the fall. Her parents sued the United States Equestrian Federation, the United States Eventing Association, the organizers of the event, and Eriksson’s trainer/coach, Kristi Nunnink. The lawsuits against the USEF, the USEA, and the organizers eventually were dismissed, and a trial court dismissed the claim against Nunnink as well