Eventer Oliver Townend was issued a verbal warning by the FEI after an incident at the CCI3* Tattersalls (30 May-1 June).
Oliver’s horse — Sandiman II — had brushed past an unsupervised child on the cross-country. The incident was inspected by the ground jury and the technical delegate, and Oliver was interviewed.
“Townend apologised unreservedly about what had happened,” said a spokesman for the FEI.
“He had seen an official signalling for him to slow down, which he had done but not quickly enough. After dismounting, he had checked up on the child to make sure she hadn’t been hurt and to apologise.
“Given the fact that he took full responsibility for the event, the rider has been issued with a recorded official verbal warning.”
This article was first published in Horse & Hound on 12 June 2014