Riders4Helmets was founded in 2010 after learning that Courtney King-Dye, an Olympic dressage rider, had sustained a traumatic brain injury due to not wearing a helmet while riding. The purpose of the group was to spread awareness that properly-fitted helmets can save lives and prevent serious injury while horse riding or enjoying other equestrian-related activities. As part of their mission of safety, each year they host the International Helmet Awareness Day (IHAD), which brings retailers, helmet manufacturers, and their customers together to educate riders about the absolute importance of protective headgear. Although the final date has not yet been locked in for 2016, it is expected to be towards the middle of June, as it has been for most years’ events.
One of the reasons that IHAD is so great is that it is not exclusive to one area. In 2014, twelve countries participated to get the word across to horse riders everywhere: helmets must always be worn.
At an International Helmet Day Awareness event, riders can expect to find:
- Official educational seminars from helmet retailers about helmet safety
- Live fitting demonstrations about proper helmet sizing
- Exclusive discounted safety merchandise from vendors
- A chance to meet and interact with hundreds of other riders
Importance of Horse Riding Helmets
As any horse riding enthusiast can attest, even the best behaved horse can have bouts of unpredictability, during which a rider can be bucked and tossed to the ground. In some incidents, the horse, in a fit of panic, may trample the downed rider. Without a helmet, the consequences can be catastrophic, resulting in traumatic brain injury or death.
If you have been hurt in a horse riding accident and you believe a defective helmet may have been to blame, you should also contact our product liability attorneys at The Gilbert Law Group®. With our investigative skills and in-house engineer, we may be able to determine if you are owed compensation for your accident and injuries.
