Feature: Frangible Yellow Clips

FEATURE

Frangibles and yellow clips

FEI cross country Course Designer and an expert on frangibles, WAYNE COPPING discusses recent modifications to the device and explores the debate surrounding yellow clips and penalty points.

Since the introduction of MIM frangible devices on cross country fences (designed to help prevent rotational falls and other serious injuries to horse or rider), the FEI has been gathering statistics on the application and success, or not, of frangible activations during competitions. Note: Wayne’s previous article on frangibles can be found in our July/August 2021 issue.

It was discovered that off centre hits on rails didn’t always activate the device, and with many Course Designers employing angled rail fences and railed corners in combinations, it was felt that another system was needed. The problem that needed solving was that

if a horse was slightly off centre to the jump, something that occurs quite often with narrow obstacles, there was a danger they could contact a still upright post, thereby trapping or slowing their leg action and contributing to a fall.

The answer was to take away the upright posts left standing after a frangible clip was broken, and to achieve that the MIM post and rail kit (Diagram 1) was modified. In the new design, the top rail is directly attached to the post with secure fixings incorporating a type of housing or mitre joint. The posts are then cut approximately 40 centimeters down from the top overall height of the fence. A MIM hinge plate is fitted to the top section (see Diagram 2, page 56), while the bottom section of the post is firmly fixed into the ground. Depending on the weight of the rails and the angle of approach to the obstacle, the two sections are then joined with either a yellow or red MIM clip.

The advantage of this system is that when the device is activated, the rail and the top section of the post fall away, leaving a clear and much safer area for the horse’s legs to pass through.

However, one of the dangers I see with this system is that if the very precise and detailed installation instructions are not adhered to, it could lead to further danger. Furthermore, all Officials need to be familiar with frangible devices and their appropriate fitting. Incorrectly fitted devices could result in no penalties being imposed, or conversely, too many.

The new kits for corner fences are also interesting (see Diagram 3, page 56). They are very involved and require complex cutting and fitting within quite closely defined margins. The installation of these kits would require very capable and experienced builders.

My main reason for attempting to describe these new FEI approved versions of MIM frangible devices is to illustrate how just the slightest deviation from the precise installation instructions can lead to either early activation, incorrect activation, or non-activation.

There are a number of other factors which come into play here which I will attempt to outline. The FEI Eventing Cross Country Guide for Officials states that: ‘Frangibles are designed to reduce the possibility of a serious fall NOT compensate for a wrongly or poorly designed or sited fence’. But how often do we see examples of fences that would never have been built prior to the introduction of frangible devices?

According to the Guide, a frangible device should only be used if it enhances the safety of a fence without changing the original design. In fact, the FEI is very specific on this point: ‘The use of frangible mechanisms must never be used to change the design, siting or build of a fence or alter what a course designer (CD) would normally design were these mechanisms not available … Similarly, the use of a frangible mechanism must not justify siting a fence where a CD would not normally put one, nor justify a change of height of a fence.’

Diagram 1: The mimSAFE FEI approved post and rail kit.

However, there are many, many instances in the field where cross country obstacles have been designed as a frangible fence from the very start, and would be unsafe to jump at all if not frangible.

I have heard it said recently that the test is now the frangible device, not the jump. If this is obvious to the general public, for the sake of our sport something needs to be done about it. Clinics are also being conducted to show riders how to train their horses to jump frangible fences. Have we missed the point that during cross country, horses feel their way around a course and will not over jump if there is a difficult test in front of them? In fact, they tend to jump in a flatter style because they are required to travel at faster speeds than is the case in show jumping.

FAR LEFT: A National Eventing Selector and 5* Course Designer, Wayne was instrumental in helping to fine tune and introduce frangible devices to Australia. LEFT: An example of a device being used to enhance the safety of a fence without changing the original design.

As you are probably aware, there has been much recent discussion around the problem of yellow clip activation and its attendant 11 point penalty. I have read articles by well-known and respected riders who want to have the penalty removed, or for it to be subjective to where the horse actually struck the fence.

The FEI on their part have updated all the frangible requirements, including a new more simplified test with a kettlebell, hoping that this will bring new manufacturers and new designs into the market. But the difficulty is being able to get a new device through the testing process, which is very involved and requires the device to conform to all the published standards. Of course, because of the 11 penalties it’s essential that every design passes this rigorous testing process to ensure riders are competing on a level playing field. Sadly, we have already been witness to many incidents in which the penalty was not deserved, and in some cases, this has resulted in a lost placing in a major event.

If the penalty is taken away I can see some immediate major benefits to the sport:

ƒ Without a penalty the incidental activation of a device is no longer relevant. Course officials already have the ability to decide on a penalty within the dangerous riding rules. The majority of frangible activations would not be considered as preventing a rotational fall or serious injury, just simply a horse rubbing a little too hard over the fence during the course of a round. However, if the activation is the result of a clear miss by the rider, the horse running through the spot, or related problems, then it can be dealt with within the dangerous riding rules, or even by having another line added to the rules to cover such eventualities.

ƒ The other major benefit I see is that alternative frangible methods can be introduced (and I have seen many others) without having to go through the testing process. Using the kettlebell test it would be fairly simple to come up with a frangible that will activate if hit with the required force and can be readily reset for the next horse. In fact, if the device has had a hit and not activated, but has been weakened and then activates for the next horse, would it really matter if there is no penalty applied? So long as the device adheres to the principles in that it cannot roll free, or present any other danger to horse or rider, they could be allowed. I see no problems with this concept as we would be generating another level of safety into our courses with minimal expense.

ƒ The silver clips! MIM have introduced a non-frangible silver clip to be placed on fences with yellow clips until the competition starts. This is an indication of just how easily the yellow clips are subject to stress. I can only wonder how long it will be before a silver clip is left on a jump and be responsible for a fall because the fence can’t activate properly. This seems to me to be another task for the course

Diagram 2: A cut post with a MIM hinge plate fitted to the top section.

builders and another impost financially for any organizing committee.

ƒ The angle of approach to use a yellow clip is 45 to 67.5 degrees. But what happens if the rider decides to take a tighter or straighter line to the obstacle, something that riders do quite often, either intentionally or accidentally? If the approach is straighter, the clip will break with less force or a lighter contact – a greater angle and it may not activate at all which could still result in a fall.

I think there are just too many variables with these situations to continue with the 11 penalties. The removal of the penalty will make the application and interpretation of judging frangible fences much clearer and more transparent to the general public and the sport’s supporters.

I fully support the use of frangible devices in our sport, but we must find a clearer and more equal way forward for all.

Links: FEI standards for deformable and frangible devices https://bit.ly/3c8owdC, FEI Eventing Cross Country Guide for Officials https://bit.ly/3oepcUE, FEI Eventing kettlebell pendulum test https://bit.ly/3n7JGix