RIDERS4HELMETS SAFETY SYMPOSIUM DEEMED A HUGE SUCCESS IN EDUCATING EQUESTRIANS ON BENEFITS OF HELMET WEARING
Participants At Symposium Pledge To Support Helmet Safety Moves
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lexington, KY (January 20th, 2010)-The Riders4Helmets Helmet Safety Symposium held Jan. 8th in Wellington, FL was deemed a huge success by participants at the event. Representatives from USEF, USDF, USEA, USHJA, Racing, Polo, Helmet Manufacturers, Helmet Testing Authorities, Leading Equestrians and Medical Experts came together at the symposium with the goal of improving rider safety and went away pledging to work together across the disciplines to do just that.
Kemi O’Donnell, mother of deceased Christen O’Donnell kicked off the presentations by emotionally discussing her daughter’s death at the age of 12 from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). USEF President David O Connor spoke next and vowed that USEF will commit to support making helmets mandatory at competitions. “If you have the technology available to reduce head injuries you have to use it and the time is now” said O’Connor.
Dr. Allen Sills, a Vanderbilt neurosurgeon with expertise in sports traumatic brain injury and concussion, gave several presentations at the symposium. Other speakers included: Debbie Stanitski, President of the Equestrian Medical Safety Association; Dave Halstead with Southern Impact Research on current testing standards; Sara Ike USEF on the history of helmet rules; Dean Moran with Safety Equipment Institute; Tom Cafaro with G-Form LLC; Beezie Madden (jumping), Anne Kursinski (jumping), PJ Cooksey (racing), Lauren Sammis (dressage) and Peter Rizzo (polo) in a panel discussion; and presentations from the helmet manufacturers.
John Long CEO at USEF summed up during the closing presentation of the symposium. His thoughts included that there is a need for more data, science and education and to make wearing helmets cool. “We need to find a way to implement the rules so that it’s no longer optional, and it’s easy to regulate. It is incumbent on my organization to get my house right to be a model for the more casual rider” said Long.
To view presentations and interviews from the symposium visit www.youtube.com/user/riders4helmets.
Media Contact:
Lyndsey White Riders4Helmets
lyndscw@hotmail.com
