Megan Jones is one of the Australian riders supporting International Helmet Awareness Day
Riders4Helmets was founded in early 2010 after Olympic dressage rider Courtney King Dye was seriously injured in a riding accident. King Dye, who remained in a coma for a month following her accident, was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, and is still undergoing rehabilitation.
As a part of the ongoing campaign to raise awareness of the importance of wearing a properly fitting and approved riding helmet, Riders4Helmets has created International Helmet Awareness Day which is today, Saturday 22nd June
There are some great initiatives happening today, from special discounts on leading helmet brands to a “Get Educated” live webinar later today.
The full list of "Get Educated" speakers includes:
- 8am USA/1pm UK - Lisa Lazarus, General Counsel, Federation Equestrian Internationale (FEI) "The FEI Helmet Rule - Your Questions Answered"
- 9am USA/2pm UK - Roy Burek, Charles Owen "Replacing Your Hat - What You Should Know"
- 10am USA/3pm UK - Jon Pitts, Fit To Ride "Improving Rider Safety, Performance and Confidence"
- 11am USA/4pm UK - Olympian Courtney King-Dye "The Importance of Helmets"
- Noon USA/5pm UK - Dr Richard Timms, Troxel Helmets "Equestrian Accidents: Facts"
- 2.30pm USA/7.30 UK - Dr Lola Chambless, Neurosurgeon Vanderbilt University Medical Center "Concussion In Equestrian Sport"
Please note that 1pm UK time today is 10pm Australian EST. All USA times are Eastern Standard Time.
Lisa Lazarus, General Counsel for the FEI, will discuss the FEI's helmet rule that came into effect January 1st and answer common questions with regards to the rule. The webinars will be live streamed and equestrians will have the opportunity to ask questions of each of the experts. You can sign up for the talks at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/947493618. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up early. In case you miss the live webinars, videos of them will be available at Riders4Helmets.com post-event.
Australian riders who have got behind the cause include eventers Megan Jones, Paul Tapner and Natalie Blundell. Jon Pitts, who we all know at AEL thanks to his great articles on Performance Coaching has also got behind the campaign. We particularly love Taperz’s Aussie take on proceedings (is he turning into Paul Hogan?) and hope you’ll all check your helmets, take advantage of the discount helmet offers (suppliers listed on Riders4Helmets website) and ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET!
And just to freak you out a bit, here's a HelmetCam view of a fall!
