How a riding centre's negligence led to injury compensation — Fionnuala's story
Fionnuala had always wanted to try horse riding. When a trekking centre in Limerick advertised beginner-friendly trails, she thought it was the perfect opportunity to give it a go. She booked a session and arrived on a sunny afternoon, nervous but excited. The staff assigned her to a horse they described as "very safe for beginners" and assured her she'd have a pleasant, uneventful ride. Within minutes of setting out on the trail, the horse bolted without warning, throwing her to the ground with considerable force.
The fall left Fionnuala with a fractured arm, deep bruising, and lasting anxiety about being near horses. As she recovered, she began to wonder how this could have happened if the horse was truly safe for beginners. She decided to find out more about the centre's practices and the horse itself.
What emerged was troubling. When Fionnuala's solicitor investigated, they discovered that the trekking centre had documented records showing this particular horse had a history of bolting and spooking. Staff had even noted the behaviour in their own incident logs, yet they still placed a nervous first-time rider on it without warning or extra supervision. The centre had breached their duty of care by failing to disclose the horse's temperament and by assigning her a mount that wasn't genuinely suitable for her level of experience.
The case went to settlement, and the court upheld that the trekking centre was liable. They were ordered to pay Fionnuala compensation for her injury, medical costs, and the psychological impact of the accident. The ruling sent a clear message: activity providers cannot hide known risks from participants, especially when they actively misrepresent safety.
Anyone offering a leisure or sporting activity has a legal duty of care towards their participants. This means they must take reasonable steps to identify risks, maintain equipment and animals properly, provide proper instruction, and give honest information about safety. If they know something is dangerous — like a horse with a history of bolting — they must either fix the problem, warn participants clearly, or assign participants to safer alternatives. Failing to do so is negligence, and they can be held liable for injuries that result. In Ireland, activity providers are held to a high standard because they are the experts and participants rely on their judgment.
If you've been injured in a sports or leisure activity, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to bring a personal injury claim in Ireland. This deadline is strictly enforced, and missing it can bar you from pursuing compensation entirely. Don't wait — speak to a solicitor as soon as possible so they can investigate your case, gather evidence, and protect your legal rights within this window.
Tell Sarah what happened. She will explain your options and match you with the right solicitor in your county — free.