As part of the implementation of the new rule that mandates the use of properly fastened protective headgear while mounted at FEI events, the Federation is launching a new safety campaign that intends to promote helmet awareness. This campaign will be mostly conducted online, through a series of emails sent to athletes, national federations, and various FEI stakeholders throughout 2013.
A special page outlining the protective headgear requirements specific to each of the seven FEI disciplines on the field of play and outside the competition arena has been created.
“The helmet rule, which was unanimously adopted by the FEI General Assembly in 2011, is a significant step forward towards the better protection of our athletes,” said FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos. Beginning January 1st, protective headgear will be compulsory at all FEI events and we strongly encourage everyone involved in international equestrian sport to familiarise themselves with the new general and sport-specific rules. The welfare of all our athletes, human and equine, must be protected.”
The new rules will also allow officials to hand out Yellow Warning Cards for athletes who need to be reminded to wear protective headgear or if a rider fails to comply after such a reminder.
US Dressage rider Courtney King-Dye has been at the forefront of the helmet awareness campaigns for some years now. After a horrible accident where her horse simply tripped and fell at the walk, Courtney was in a coma for four weeks, and had to spend another four months in the hospital re-learning how to walk and talk. The after-effects of the accident still severely affect her coordination and speech. As a rider who represented the US in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Courtney has been a major factor in promoting helmets through organizations such as Riders4Helmets.
“I think my accident was necessary in the fight for safety because an Olympian who sustains a brain injury while riding proves that injury has nothing to do with level of skill,” King-Dye said. “And while you can’t control what people do at home, the new rules can control what people do at shows and this will go a long way to create good habits,” she said.
