The Helmet Safety Symposium will bring together representatives from various corners of the equestrian world to discuss the importance of wearing helmets, rider safety and education, and to improve helmet designs and more. The event will provide a series of short lectures and panel discussions throughout the day. Many in attendance will also sit on the panels, including equestrians, helmet manufacturers, equestrian organizations, and neurosurgeons. The chair of the meeting will be Lyndsey White of Riders4Helmets.
“We are very excited to be hosting the 4th Riders4Helmets Safety Symposium and to see it continue to expand not only into other equestrian disciplines but all aspects of equestrian safety,” said Lyndsey White, Riders4Helmets. “The symposia are a fantastic opportunity to bring together many individuals, organizations and associations all in one place, to continue important discussions regarding equestrian safety. We are already planning the 1st International Equestrian Safety Summit for summer 2013 to be held in the UK, which will take the symposia concept to an even wider audience."
The Craig Ferrell M.D Equestrian Safety Awards named after former USET Physician and Chair of the FEI Medical Council Craig Ferrell, will be presented at the Safety Symposium. Mrs. Lorraine Ferrell will be in attendance to observe the recognition of individuals who have been nominated by equestrians, as being exceptional role models for helmet wearing, or equestrian safety. Nominations are open through January 26th.
Symposium topics will include the following:
• Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions: The Latest Research, Long Term Effects and Revolutionary Technologies
• Helmets in the Western World
• Educating Our Youth
• Helmets On The Trail
• In Memoriam: Cheryl Strong-Camilleri
• Gaining Acceptance In The Equestrian Community For Helmet Use
• We Are All Role Models: Setting An Example
• Safety Incentives: Thinking Outside The Box To Get Helmets Introduced Into Non-Helmet Wearing Disciplines
• Helmets And The Breed Organizations
• Current Helmet Rules: Clarification Across The Disciplines
• Riders4Helmets: Three-Years On
Speakers include:
• Champion Barrel Racer: Megan Sparks
• Olympians: Courtney King-Dye (via video), Darren Chiacchia
• Multiple CMSA World & National Champion Cowgirl: Tammy Sronce
• HorseThink™ Keeping You Safe: Scot Hansen & Sandy Siegrist
• Champion Reiner: Lyndsey Jordan
• ACTHA: Caroline Scrima
• Britni Lovelace, Brooke Smith & Zane Lovelace
• Equestrian Mental Skills Coach: Tonya Johnston
• Neurosurgeon (name to be confirmed)
• RidingHorses.com: Kathy Slack
• Reserve Champion Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover: Mary Miller Jordan
• Equestrian Mental Skills Coach: Tonya Johnston
• USEF: Leigh Anne Claywell
• Tipperary: Len Clemente
The full symposium agenda and speaker list (with bios) will be available shortly, by visiting www.riders4helmets.com/category/4th-safety-symposium/. A number of safety related vendors will be attending the event.
To book a discounted hotel room at the host hotel, please call the Clarion, Lexington, KY at (800) 424-6423 and use discount code “Riders4Helmets”.
The Kentucky Horse Council Round Up will also be taking place at the Alltech Arena on the same day as the safety symposium. The Round-Up will feature a number of demonstrations, activities and events, culminating in a concert on Saturday evening with country music legend John Michael Montgomery. For further details on this event please visit www.kentuckyroundup.com.
For more information on the Riders4Helmets campaign, visit www.riders4helmets.com. You can also follow the campaign at www.facebook.com/riders4helmets and http://twitter.com/riders4helmets.
Riders4Helmets was founded in early 2010 after Olympic dressage rider Courtney King Dye was seriously injured in a riding accident. King Dye, who remained in a coma for a month following her accident, was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and continues to undergo rehabilitation. The goal of the Riders4Helmets Campaign is to educate equestrians on the benefits of wearing a properly fitted and secured, certified helmet.