The British dressage team at the London 2012 Olympics consisting of Carl Hester, Laura Bechtolsheimer and Charlotte Dujardin, not only won Great Britain’s first gold in the history of Olympic dressage, but Charlotte did it while wearing a helmet! We reported a couple of days ago on how Charlotte had become a global role model for safety, by wearing her helmet for the dressage competition to compete in the Olympics (see this link) but that role model status just escalated to a new level when she rode away with a gold medal! Charlotte you are our absolute hero! Please continue to wear your Charles Owen helmet with pride. We hope the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) took notice of your helmet and perhaps in Olympics of the future, the top hat will be a relic of the past? We personally think you look far more professional in a helmet anyway. For great coverage of the London 2012 Olympics, please visit The Chronicle Of The Horse. Ride Safe. ALWAYS wear a helmet.
Photo: Kat Netzler, Chronicle of the Horse
Thanks for reporting this… have you done any more stats on the Olympic dressage – would be interesting to hear how many riders wore helmets, and also those who were wearing them in the working-in even if not in the arena.
Certainly in the lap of honour several looked as if they should be wearing helmets!
Absolutely wonderful, and what a role model for every child with dreams! Charlotte, you rock!