Cheaper Frangible Fence Clips Set to Widen Cross-Country Safety in Eventing

Frangible devices, including the widely used MIM clip, are designed to let a cross-country fence collapse safely if a horse makes a significant jumping error, reducing the risk of rotational falls and serious injury to horse and rider. Course designers Chris Edwards and Stuart Buntine, working with MIM founder Mats Björnetun, have announced changes aimed at making the technology cheaper and more widely available, including more clips per box at the same price and adaptations of the frangible principle for smaller fences such as 65cm rails and 80cm roll-tops.

Cost has historically been a barrier to fitting frangible devices as standard across a course, particularly at lower levels of the sport where budgets are tighter. A reusable version of the clip is also in development, though it still needs to pass weather testing, and any new design must clear FEI testing and approval before it can be used in competition. Buntine drew a comparison with seatbelts and airbags in cars, arguing safety features that prevent the worst outcomes should become standard fittings rather than optional extras.

For horse owners, breeders and event organisers, the direction of travel matters more than any single announcement: as frangible technology becomes cheaper and suitable for a wider range of fence heights, it has the potential to reduce horse and rider injuries across more levels of eventing, not just at the top of the sport.