£37,000 Compensation for Injured Horse Rider

A rider who was injured after being thrown from her horse has won compensation of £37,000.

The accident happened in 2007 when Ceri Tonkinson was riding in Cosmeston Country Park, near Penarth in Wales. The horse she was riding had only recently been broken in. An employee of a local riding school, Stephen Davies, wished to overtake her, but she asked him to stay behind her while she settled her horse down. Mr Davies ignored Mrs Tonkinson’s request, however. As he overtook her, her horse reared up and threw her to the ground.

Mrs Tonkinson suffered a broken back and pelvis in the accident. Four years later, she still suffers pain as a result of her injuries. Having previously ridden competitively, she is now only able to ride for short periods of time.

Mrs Tonkinson brought a claim against the riding school on the ground that it was liable for the negligence of its employee. She argued that Mr Davies’ conduct was representative of the behaviour of other riders from the school. Cardiff County Court awarded her £37,000 in damages.