US Olympian Courtney King-Dye suffered a traumatic brain injury on March 3rd, 2010 and has been very open in sharing her story of the daily struggles associated with living with a TBI, and the long road to recovery. Courtney was not wearing a helmet at the time of her accident and has since become an advocate for educating equestrians on the benefits of wearing a properly fitting and secured helmet via the riders4helmets campaign. Watch Courtney’s special video presentation in honor of International Helmet Awareness Day 2012 below.
You can also watch Courtney’s video from the 2nd Riders4Helmets Safety Symposium which has been viewed over 60,000 times on YouTube at this link and her video from the 3rd Riders4Helmets Safety Symposium at this link.
Photo: Anne Hedge, courtesy Courtney King-Dye
Courtney,
I ALWAYS wear my helmet because of you! Thank you so much for being so brave. My family, which includes my 3 small children, appreciate you stressing the importance of wearing a helmet while riding, no matter what type of riding you do. I tell others who don’t wear a helmet, “If Courtney King-Dye, the Olympic Equestian, can fall off her horse and get a TBI, surely someone at my skill level could do the same!!! I love my family too much not to wear a helmet while riding!!” God bless you and I pray that you continue to make improvements. Thank you for all you do and making me aware of helmet safety!
Western Trail Rider, Andrea Williams
Your courage and desire to achieve are to be admired! Thank you for speaking out about your experience. You have made such a big difference in the acceptance of wearing helmets. What so many others have been trying to achieve with rule changes and awareness, you have accomplished in just two short years! I think of you and pray for you often.
Mary Chris Foxworthy – Michigan
DISCIPLINES
Morgan Horses
Dressage
Carriage Pleasure Driving
Courtney, you are such a beautiful beautiful person! I cannot even imagine what all you have been through since your accident!! You amaze me with your perseverance and strength to find the good out of all of this. Your commitment to make a difference is to be applauded. It’s so very unfortunate this accident happened to you, but YOU are undoubtedly stronger than so many others would have been, had this happened to them. To take this tragedy and make a stand and truly MAKE A DIFFERENCE! You are a miracle. God Loves You and knew YOU could handle this! He knew You could make a difference! And as tough as I can hardly begin to grasp that this is for you, You ARE no doubt are making a tremendous difference in the lives and well being of so very many others lives. I am a dressage trainer who has recently stepped out into a new discipline, barrel racing, where helmets are much more rare and the tradition of the cowboy hat maybe even harder to break than the top hat. In honor of you, and another friend of mine who has suffered a serious TBI, I make a point to wear a helmet every time I’m on a horse, even when barrel racing my mare. I want to be a role model that young girls and adults alike, can see and perhaps eventually feel like its OK if they choose to wear a helmet too, and hopefully eventually it will even be considered “cool!” Thanks Courtney for everything you do to raise the awareness and importance of helmets and safety. ~Jordan Banks
You are SOOO brave!! Don’t despair!! You are more of an inspiration than you know! Every time I feel depressed, I think of you and realize that I am being weak. You keep me strong!
I have only recently began riding horses. The first thing I did before my first lesson was go out to get fitted for and buy my first helmet. I was shocked when I went out to my lesson and I was the only one wearing a helmet. It never occurred to me that anyone would get on a horse without a helmet. In many of my horse activities I see that helmetless riding is the norm. Sort of like playing Russian Roulette. Actually I have been told that you should leave that helmet on until that horse is unsaddled, washed off and is safely back in their stall. Thank you for your campaign to protect your brain.