Riding accident shakes para-dressage: Elke Klein injured in Balve!

Riding accident shakes para-dressage: Elke Klein injured in Balve!

An incident occurred yesterday that overshadowed the German Para Dressage Championships in Balve. The 55-year-old rider Elke Klein was injured in a riding accident while warming up. Her horse, 9-year-old Hanoverian D'Noir, suddenly shied and threw the experienced rider, resulting in a series of bruises. A sticky scenario that can happen even among experienced riders, as a study of riding accidents shows.

Fortunately, Klein's injuries were not serious. She was taken to hospital where x-rays were taken. The all-clear: There were no broken bones and she was able to leave the hospital on Saturday evening. However, her fall precluded her from taking part in the free skate, so she ultimately finished 9th out of 9 in the first classification, having achieved 60.854%. Eurodressage reports in detail about the incident and Klein's career in para-dressage so far.

Elke Klein's career

Klein started her international career at CPEDI Stadl Paura in 2023 and has since taken part in a variety of events. She achieved a respectable place in the Grade V category, in which she is classified as a para rider. Before her career in para-equestrian sport, she worked as an animal physiotherapist and acupuncturist until an accident forced her to pursue a different path. Klein now works for a medical company that specializes in X-rays and lives in Ronneburg.

This incident sheds light on the risks present in equestrian sports. According to information from the German Equestrian Association FN, the likelihood of riders being injured in a fall is extremely high. Injuries to the upper extremities are particularly common, accounting for around 42% of cases. The causes of falls often violate the typical cause-effect chain, which was also clear in Klein's case.

Safety measures in equestrian sports

With the majority of accidents resulting in serious injuries, the question of improved safety precautions in equestrian sports arises. Recommendations include the use of protective gloves and appropriate helmets, which could help reduce injuries. Education about protective measures during horse care is also considered to reduce the risk of injuries from horse kicks and other accidents.

Elke Klein's situation not only raises awareness among the riding community, but also makes it clear how important preventative measures are. As spectators and participants, we can only hope that such incidents can be avoided in the future and that Elke Klein can be back in the saddle again soon. Her determination and commitment to the sport are unmistakable and show that she won't let herself down easily.

For further information about the German Para-Dressage Championships, those interested can visit the Gestüt Bonhomme website.