Former US Equestrian Team Physician and Chair FEI Medical Council, Craig Ferrell M.D
There is no doubt that equestrian sport can be a dangerous pastime for both professional and amateur riders alike and eventing is probably the most dangerous! That doesn’t mean to say that we should give it up but we should find ways to make it as safe as possible.
In January of 2012 Riders4Helmets recognized ten outstanding individuals who in 2011, either made a difference in the equestrian world through their tireless campaigning for rider safety or who were exceptional role models for helmet wearing. The 2011 winners were presented with an "Equestrian Helmet Hero Award" platter by former Olympians Gina Miles and Lendon Gray at the 3rd Riders4Helmets Safety Symposium on January 14th, 2012.
This year, Riders4Helmets has announced that the 2012 Awards will be renamed the Craig Ferrell M.D Equestrian Safety Awards in recognition of Dr Ferrell's tireless work campaigning for equestrian safety. Craig Ferrell M.D, the former US Equestrian Team Physician and Chair of the FEI Medical Council who tragically passed away in May of 2012, was himself a recipient of a 2011 Award.
The winners of the 2012 Awards will be announced at the 4th Riders4Helmets Safety Symposium on Saturday February 2nd, 2013. Mrs. Lorraine Ferrell will be in attendance at the symposium.
There are several categories that you can nominate both professional and non-professional riders in; two are directly related to helmet wearing in 2012. Charlotte Dujardin (above) obviously immediately springs to mind but what about our own Aussie Paul Tapner (below) who looked very dapper wearing a regulation helmet instead of top hat at Burghley?
To submit your nomination for those whom you believe deserve to be recognized with a 2012 Craig Ferrell M.D Equestrian Safety Award, email [email protected], with the name of the individual whom your are nominating, their nationality and the reason for nomination. Nominations close on Saturday January 26th, 2013.
After the close of nominations, the Riders4Helmets Advisory Board will determine the final winners, based on the number of nominations that the individual received and the reason for the nomination.
Equestrians can nominate any individual (nominees do not have to be a recognized name) with suggestions for a reason for nomination as follows:
- An individual who campaigned for any aspect of equestrian safety in 2012.
- An individual who was an exceptional role model for helmet wearing in 2012 (Professional Rider).
- An individual who was an exceptional role model for helmet wearing in 2012 (Non-Professional Rider).
- An individual who was an exceptional role model for equestrian safety in 2012 (non-helmet related)
