Our sincere appreciation to Tamara Matthews-Stephenson and danshamptons.com for allowing us to republish the following article.
Sadly, Gary Hornstein lost his 12-year-old daughter Nicole over five years ago in a tragic accident when she fell off a horse. The Hornsteins are horse lovers and at the time they kept horses on their property, but because Nicole’s trainer lived across the street, she headed over there often for lessons and trail rides. Nicole was a brave equestrian who had been riding since she was four years old and competed in various events including dressage, hunter/jumpers, western barrel racing and reining. The family had been diligent about wearing helmets, however this particular day she was without protective headgear as she rode alongside her trainer on a busy residential road. The horse spooked and threw Nicole to the pavement. As a result she suffered severe head trauma, which left her in a coma for several days before ultimately claiming her life. The Hornstein family lost their beautiful, fearless daughter, and from the day of Nicole’s death, Gary Hornstein has channeled his energy into helping educate the public about helmet safely. He hopes to prompt the adoption of state laws that require youth to wear helmets at all times while on horseback.
Gary, his wife, daughter Nicole and their two other daughters lived in Florida at the time of the accident, and afterwards he spent three years trying to change the Florida laws requiring protective headgear for youth. After much effort and lobbying ordinances in the 38 cities in Florida, they enjoyed a few victories. In 2009 Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed the “Nicole Law” which requires horseback riders 16 and younger to wear a helmet when riding on public roads and rights of way and while taking riding lessons. Now, anyone who allows a child in Florida to ride without a helmet could be fined $500, however, private properties and events are exempt from this law.
A Southampton native, Hornstein has moved back to the area with high hopes to realize the same legislative successes here in New York State. He is adamant about implementing safe helmet laws in our area. Hornstein has solicited the help of State Assemblyman Fred Thiele Jr. of Sag Harbor in his efforts. New York was the first state to pass an equestrian helmet law in 2000 but it only requires children age 14 and under to wear them, and only in certain circumstances. While chatting with Hornstein, and listening to him recall the tragic and preventable circumstances surrounding Nicole’s death, it is easy to get swept up in his desires and hopes to see the law amended to include all youth up to 18 years of age. Hornstein hopes to keep Nicole’s memory alive, and he talks of her spunky personality, remembering how she loved to eat ice cream and ride western style. He recalls fond memories of Nicole and her older sister riding together in the fields, and remembers their laughter during those times. Hornstein feels that being around horses has been a good experience for his daughters and it has taught them much, and if it weren’t for that fateful day when Nicole was riding without a helmet, she would still be riding today. After Nicole’s death, the local community rallied and built a memorial and plaque in Nicole’s honor, naming their local park the Nicole Hornstein Equestrian Park. Hornstein is on a mission to keep other children from suffering the same fate as Nicole, all the while keeping his daughter’s memory alive. He tells me that once he is successful in the state of New York, he plans to move on to another a state, mostly likely Kentucky because of the prevalence of the equestrian community, to help change their laws. “I won’t give up and I’m doing all of this for Nicole,” he says.
Would it be possible to get the proposed bill number for Nicole’s Helmet Law? I would absolutely contact my state representatives here in NY. I am a helmet fanatic having been saved twice from serious head injury by wearing helmets. I, too, think all minors should be wearing helmets. It is nearly impossible to get the western set to realize the value of a helmet because a Stetson is cowboy cool, and a proper helmet is ‘not’. Anyone who has the bill number can PM me on Facebook. thanks!
I love the story of my cousin NICOLE I iove her and miss her I love you NICOLE I am 7 years old.
by victoria savannah vannostrand
hi nicole its your littlel sister i miss u and love u i am tacking care of our horses and he wishes u wer there tell every body in heaven i said hi i wish u wer here have a gret time i love u evry body misses u we all love u and daddy is doing a awsome have fun and make sure u have fun have a grete b-day i hope u do great and tell the unicorns be good 4 your horses show i hope u win and remeber its not about winning its about having fun
hi nicole its your littie sister sammy . i am nine years old and i want you to now that we all miss you and love you and remeber that . spread your wings nicole and fly through the heavens . nicoe can you tell evrey body in heaven that i said hi . make shore you practice hard for your shows and make the unicorns look very pretty.and remeber that its not about winning its about having fun and tell your self dont theet and i now you wont any ways.dont worry nicole im tacking care of our horses and yours. HAPPYYYY NEW YEAR ! AND MERRY CHRISTMAS ! COW GIRL UP ! i hope you have fun and I now you will. and happy B-DAY I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU. HAVE FUN !