A fifth event rider has died as the result of a cross-country fall this season.
Argentinean Santiago Zone was involved in a fatal fall at a national event last Saturday (1 October).
The 34-year-old was competing at Campo de Mayo horse trials in Buenos Aires when the accident took place.
“We have been informed by the national safety officer in Argentina that tragically there was a rider fatality at this national event,” an FEI spokesman told H&H.
The spokesman added that she had no further information at this stage.
It is understood Santiago, a married father-of-two, was a first lieutenant in the Argentine Army.
He had been competing at one-star level this year, riding two horses owned by the Argentine Army, Remonta Nunhil and Perdigon.
On 23 June, Santiago was placed fifth in the CCI* at Campo de Mayo horse trials with 11-year-old gelding Remonata Nunhil.
His brother Ignacio “Nacho” Zone is also an event rider.
Santiago is the fifth event rider to die in seven months.
Last month (10 September) Russian eventer Nikita Sotskov was involved in a fatal accidentwhile competing at the Ratomka Horse Trials.
Earlier this year (14 May), Philippa Humphreys, 33, died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall on the CCI3* cross-country course at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event in New Jersey, United States.
The previous month (30 April), Caitlyn Fischer, 19, suffered fatal injuries in the one-star at the Sydney International Horse Trials.
On 6 March, Olivia Inglis, 17, died from injuries she sustained in a fall in a national two-star competition at Scone Horse Trials, Australia.
