Just riding them didn't cause his accident -- he was jumping them --- like there's a difference between taking a car for a Sunday drive and racing cars. It was sad --- he was a good horseman but accidents do happen. I'm sorry he had to die this way and too young.
I've been wanting to make that point, also. Chris Reeve had only been riding for a couple of years and was doing something I wouldn't do with 35 years riding experience. Jumping cross country is DANGEROUS, Chris had lots of money to spend on horses that were out of his league and probably had trainers telling him how great he was and was pushing him to do more than he should. Jumping is hard and shouldn't be attempted by someone who learns to ride as an adult. You get a better feel for it when you start riding at a very young age, imo. Like gymnastics.