July 10th is National Helmet Awareness Day for Equestrians

Photo by Veronique Mestre Gibaud - Creative Commons Lic.

Aiming for increased equestrian safety, a group called Riders4Helmets has tagged July 10th as National Helmet Awareness Day.

Several major manufacturers of equestrian safety helmets (including Aegix/Devon-Aire, GPA, Charles Owen and Troxel) have agreed to offer significant discounts of protective headgear for horseback riders on July 10th. (Offers will be available through participating retailers.)

National Helmet Awareness Day is presented jointly by the Riders4Helmets campaign and SUCCEED®.
 

Riders4Helmets promo poster

“The National Helmet Awareness Day is an educational event that we hope will become an annual event on the calendar,” said John Hall, president of Freedom Health LLC (manufacturers of SUCCEED®). “The riders4helmets campaign goal is to provide information to equestrians on the benefits of wearing a helmet, in order that they can then make an informed choice for their own safety. We’re proud to support this.”

Many of the top equestrian and safety associations in the country have climbed on board to support National Helmet Awareness Day on July 10th. Endorsing groups include:

• American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA)
• Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA)
• Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA)
• Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF)
• United States Dressage Federation, Inc. (USDF)
• United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)
• United States Eventing Association (USEA)
• and more.

“This campaign is a great step forward in building awareness and will help start a cultural shift in the way people think about helmets,” commented John Long, chief executive officer of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).
 

Riders4Helmets - promo tee shirt design

Some of America’s best-known equestrians have also publicly supported National Helmet Awareness Day:

• Robert Dover
• Lendon Gray
• Ilse Schwartz
• Allison Springer
• and others.

“Helmets are strikingly effective, reducing head injuries by up to 80%.,” explained Shay Timms, chief executive officer of Troxel. “Equestrian athletes are moving to overcome a natural and understandable resistance to protective helmets, and National Helmet Awareness Day is a significant step forward in helmet acceptance."

On July 10th, the Kentucky Horse Park, in Lexington, Kentucky (site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games), will host an official event for National Helmet Awareness Day. Equestrian leaders and safety experts will present educational programs related to horseback riding and other equestrian disciplines.

Riders4Helmets is offering graphics and support materials for equestrians (both amateur and professional) and equestrian organizations planning local events for National Helmet Awareness Day. The group is also selling commemorative tee shirts for National Helmet Awareness Day on July 10th. Tee shirt proceeds benefit the Courtney King-Dye Medical Fund and the Equestrian Aid Foundation.

“You don’t physically have to attend the event at the Kentucky Horse Park to participate in Helmet Awareness Day,” said Jeri Bryant, co-founder of the riders4helmets campaign. “You can participate just by wearing a helmet on July 10, no matter whether you are trail riding, showing or competing.”

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