Horse trainer Deirdre Bourns sues over incident that paralysed her

Horse trainer Deirdre Bourns, who is tetraplegic after a horse knocked her down and trampled on her at a showjumping event, has sued for damages.

Ms Bourns, mother of international showjumper Andrew Bourns, was knocked down and trampled by an out of control four-year-old horse who was being warmed up before an indoor championships competition, the High Court heard.

She is a “mighty impressive lady” who has managed to get back to work despite her injuries, her counsel, Stephen Lanigan O’Keeffe SC, said.

Counsel said his client was standing in the right place in an exercise arena watching a horse she had trained when she was knocked from behind and trampled by another horse, Miss Red, who had “run out” at a practice jump and was out of control.

Ms Bourns is seeking damages, including some €900,000 , as a result of the accident that happened on September 19th, 2012, at Cavan Equestrian Centre.

Action

The action by Ms Bourns, Lisbeg Farms,

Eyrecourt

, Co Galway, is against the

Showjumping Association of Ireland

, trading as Showjumping

Ireland

, of Osberstown,

Naas

, Co Kildare; Cavan Equestrian Centre Ltd, owner of Cavan Equestrian Centre,

Latt

, Co Cavan; and a horse rider, Hayley Dunne, Old Graigue,

Maynooth

, Co Kildare.

It is claimed Show Jumping Ireland failed to exercise adequate supervision of shows held at the centre and failed to ensure the presence of a safety steward at all times when a warm-up arena was being used. There was also failure to ensure compliance with the Show Jumping Ireland rule book, it is alleged.

It is claimed the equestrian centre allowed the fences in the warm-up area to be positioned too close to each other and failed to remove Miss Red from the warm-up arena when it first manifested dangerous behaviour.

Control

In her claims against Ms Dunne, it is alleged there was failure to exercise adequate control over Miss Red and that Ms Dunne allowed the horse run out of control on at least two occasions prior to colliding with Ms Bourns and failed to apply the basic principles of good horsemanship.

All of the defendants deny the claims.

Opening the case, Mr Lanigan O’Keeffe said Ms Bourns is a well-known horse producer and expert and was attending the championships with a horse trained by her. His client was standing where she should be watching her horse when Miss Red trampled her, rendering her immediately tetraplegic.

The accident had a catastrophic effect on Mrs Bourns and her family, counsel said.

The case continues before Mr Justice Kevin Cross.