I actually had tears in my eyes today when I saw British Team rider Charlotte Dujardin in her Charles Owen helmet. Riders4helmets was founded two years ago as a direct result of our friend Olympian Courtney King Dye’s 2010 accident in which she suffered a traumatic brain injury. Courtney’s accident sparked global changes in helmet wearing but Charlotte takes this to a whole new level by moving into the #1 position at the London 2012 Olympics while wearing a helmet.
Words cant express my feelings. Never thought I would live to see the day!
My only sadness today was that former US Equestrian Team Physician & Chair of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Medical Council, Dr Craig Ferrell, didn’t see Charlotte as well. But then again….perhaps you were watching from above Doc…..I sincerely hope so…..and I hope even more that it made you smile for all of your work in raising helmet awareness these past two years.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart Charlotte, for being a global role model today. Thank you also for ensuring Courtney King Dye‘s accident is most definitely NOT labelled a tragedy.
I am immensely proud of my fellow countrywoman but would be proud of you no matter my nationality, or yours.
Special mention as well to Jacquelin Brooks of Canada who was the first rider to wear a helmet for dressage at the Olympics.
- Lyndsey, Riders4Helmets
Photo: London 2012 PR
All riders, including dressage rider, look much better wearing helmets. We are riding horses performing difficult manoeuvres. Why on earth we should wear top hats looking like those doormen at Selfridge during Holiday Season? We should look “battle ready” when we are in action, no?