Olympian Courtney King-Dye Hospitalized After Horse Fall

this is just terrible!!1

on another note I have an excellent article I found from 2007 that I scanned and want to send to you but the blasted thing is too big. AUGH

OMG, prayers for Courtney. I remember first reading about her when she worked for Lendon, in Dressage Today (or was it Dressage & CT?). She's a lovely, gifted rider. Sadly, accidents can happen to any of us. I really hope she's ok.

This accident is incredibly sad and we send her wishes for a speedy recover. She is a national treasure!

It does however beg the question of whether she was wearing a helmet?! I'm not laying blame in any way, shape or form on Courtney. Many dressage riders and even our US Eventing Team doesn't bother with a helmet in dressage. Some poor soul on the COTH Forum brought up the same issue and was shut down very quickly. I think it's an extremely valid point. ANY horse can spook, get their legs tangled, stumble and fall. Why is this such a "bogey" issue?! I realize it appears to put these injured riders at issue but it's really an opportunity to openly discuss a safety issue that runs rampant.

A good friend of mine WAS an excellent western rider. I used to hack my little eventer with her all the time. She had a wonderful old horse that she'd had forever. She also had an 18 month old daughter. She never wore a helmet and I used to give her a bit of a hard time about it. She was about to go hacking one day and never got out of her own driveway! No one knows what happened but she died of massive head trauma and was found by her husband & daughter who will never be the same.

I don't care who you are or how good a rider. Shit happens don't cha know! (Sorry PG-13 policy.) Horses make mistakes too. Please wear a helmet - if not for yourself than for your family!

Many, many jingles to Coutney!

Prayers and jingles. She is a gifted and generous dressage professional, and I hope that this injury is not as serious as it sounds.