Equestrians around the globe have been pledging their support to International Helmet Awareness Day 2013, to be held Saturday June 22nd. Charlotte Dujardin, Paul Tapner, Piggy French, Courtney King-Dye, Anne Kursinski, Kitty King, Joseph Murphy, Natalie Blundell, Mary Baniuk Lauritsen, Gavin Makinson, Beatle Payne, and many others, have produced special videos to promote the event.
A reason for Helmet Awareness Day
Equestrians around the globe have pledged their support to International Helmet Awareness Day 2013, being held Saturday June 22nd.
From Tapner's "Put Your Skid Lid On", to Makinson's "Pony Pants" which takes a humorous approach to the importance of hats, the videos are already notching up significant views on the Riders4Helmets YouTube Channel. No matter the approach in their video, all of the riders agree that equestrian safety is paramount.
Retailers in a record 7 countries have signed on this year to offer special discounts on helmets to equestrians on June 22nd only. You can find a participating retailer near you by visiting www.riders4helmets.com/ihad.
“Riders4Helmets will be live streaming “Get Educated” webinars on Saturday June 22nd, in which equestrians will have the opportunity to ask a variety of experts questions. All USA times are Eastern Standard Time. Sign up for the talks. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up early. In case you miss the live webinars, we will be posting videos of them at Riders4Helmets.com post-event.
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"
Helmet brands that have committed involvement in International Helmet Awareness Day 2013 are: Aegis (Devon-Aire), Antarès Sellier France, Aussie Rider, Champion Hats, Charles Owen, Dublin, Gatehouse, GPA, IRH, KEP Italia, LAS Helmets (LeslieSutcliffe.biz), One K, Ovation, Samshield, Troxel, Tipperary, Uvex and Zilco. Participating helmet brands vary by country.
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.