It has only been in the past 60 years that wearing a helmet when riding has become common practice. Similar to American football, equestrian helmets have also undergone major research and development during this time to increase its safety and technicality. The American Society for Testing and Materials - Safety Equipment Institute must now certify the protection level of all helmets produced with the intention of protecting one's head. Helmets have evolved over the years, from looking as similar to the traditional hunt cap or top hat worn, to now embracing the technical side with exposed airways for ventilation and mesh.
Unfortunately, many riders still reject the idea of wearing a helmet on a regular basis. They argue that their horse is "calm" and "totally trained", even that they've "been riding for years", and assert that nothing could possibly go wrong.
The attached video speaks otherwise.
Courtney King-Dye is an elite dressage rider (Think Rafalca in the olympics). She represented the U.S.A. in Beijing in 2008. However, in 2010, disaster struck. Courtney was riding one of her horses, and the horse slipped on the ground and they both fell. Courtney was not wearing a helmet, and her skull was fractured. She immediately slipped into a coma, where she remained for a month.
Thankfully, Courtney did wake from her coma, though not without damage to her brain and cognitive functions. She had to relearn how to speak, how to do basic personal care activities, and how to use her limbs again. For an athlete at peak condition, it was an incredible journey that she had to begin.
Since the accident, Courtney has made incredible progress, through traditional therapy and hippotherapy, which is where the patient works with a horse to improve their balance and coordination. She is also the spokesperson for a new organization called Riders4Helmets, which works to promote the use of helmets in all equestrian sports. Hopefully, by sharing her story, Courtney can convince others of the importance of wearing protective headgear to prevent more tragedies.
Unfortunately, many riders still reject the idea of wearing a helmet on a regular basis. They argue that their horse is "calm" and "totally trained", even that they've "been riding for years", and assert that nothing could possibly go wrong.
The attached video speaks otherwise.
Courtney King-Dye is an elite dressage rider (Think Rafalca in the olympics). She represented the U.S.A. in Beijing in 2008. However, in 2010, disaster struck. Courtney was riding one of her horses, and the horse slipped on the ground and they both fell. Courtney was not wearing a helmet, and her skull was fractured. She immediately slipped into a coma, where she remained for a month.
Thankfully, Courtney did wake from her coma, though not without damage to her brain and cognitive functions. She had to relearn how to speak, how to do basic personal care activities, and how to use her limbs again. For an athlete at peak condition, it was an incredible journey that she had to begin.
Since the accident, Courtney has made incredible progress, through traditional therapy and hippotherapy, which is where the patient works with a horse to improve their balance and coordination. She is also the spokesperson for a new organization called Riders4Helmets, which works to promote the use of helmets in all equestrian sports. Hopefully, by sharing her story, Courtney can convince others of the importance of wearing protective headgear to prevent more tragedies.