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Saturday, December 19 2020 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

A Traditionalist’s View on the FEI Helmet Rule

By George Williams

Rules in general tend to be boring, even to dressage people. However, they’re important because they affect how we play the game. Rules help to establish a level playing field, they help protect the safety of our riders as well as the welfare of our horses, and they frequently determine how our sport is perceived by others. Dressage, being a sport based on a heritage of traditional fundamental training principles, some of which date back to Xenophon, has rules that are essential to maintaining those traditions.

The challenge, of course, is how to balance and still value those traditions in an ever-changing world. I’m a strong believer in the importance of maintaining the fundamental training principles and what one might refer to as “the art of dressage” with the sport. But that’s for another column. There are some traditions that I’ve come to acknowledge as being, shall I say, out of date. The recent rule change to allow the use of snaffle bridles in certain types of CDIs is one good example of how our sport can move forward in a more enlightened manner.

My acknowledgment did not come quickly or easily. And now, thanks to a new FEI rule going into effect January 1, 2021, which will require all riders in FEI dressage competitions to wear a helmet, more are being forced to reconcile a beloved tradition with the realities of today’s safety-conscious environment. Bottom line, the rule is forcing us to say goodbye to top hats.

To be honest, I’ve always hated hats of any kind. I grew up skiing in frigid New Hampshire and it would have to be miserably cold in order for me to put on a hat, much less a helmet. I couldn’t wait to be out of Pony Club so I could ride without anything on my head. It’s not so much the wind-through-the-hair feeling that I craved, it was just that hats made my head itch and hurt. However, when I competed in my tailcoat, I enjoyed wearing my top hat and felt proud to carry on that tradition.

Then, several years back, things started to change in this country. Brain injuries became a big topic and concern, and rightly so. Still I resisted, at least while riding at home. The USEF helmet rules for dressage started gradually, gently introducing our competitors to the concept that helmets would eventually become the norm. During that period, I still fought wearing a helmet while schooling at home. 

Then, three things occurred: One day I was riding a young horse that suddenly was startled. She started leaping, bucking and throwing her head to the point where it became obvious I should and would come off. As I sailed over her through the air, my main thought was, They’re going to say he wasn’t wearing a helmet.

Not long after that, my friend and successor to the USDF presidency, Lisa Gorretta, explained to me that as I was an international competitor, respected coach and, at the time, USDF president, many young people may look up to me. In other words, I not only set an example but some may imitate me. Her question, which stopped me in my tracks, was simple: How would I feel if a young person following my example suffered a traumatic injury because they were not wearing a helmet?

Later that same year while competing in a Regional Championship in my tailcoat and top hat, several fellow competitors chided me for not setting a good example and wearing a helmet in competition. It’s easy to forget that when we compete, it’s not just about us; we’re also setting an example. Even if we’re over 18 or 21 and can make our own decisions, it’s not just about us. There will be those who want to emulate us, and therefore we have a responsibility. I think we frequently think about that responsibility with our riding style, but not in terms of what we wear.

In the U.S., we have an advantage in this debate as we’ve had the helmet rule in place for a number of years. I considered myself an ardent traditionalist, especially as it pertains to dressage. I was shocked when one day I watched a CDI less than 12 months after our national helmet rule was in effect and I thought how odd a top hat looked on a rider. It made the rider appear almost stodgy, and didn’t give the feeling of an athlete. It’s currently in vogue to refer to our riders as athletes, and I believe rightly so, as they truly are athletes. It’s an athletic endeavor. Helmets reinforce that fact by adding to the perception and, as the saying goes, perception is reality.

If you had asked me to write a column supporting helmets six years ago, I would have declined, smiled and said under my breath, “No way.” However, even an old traditionalist can change his point of view!

Photo:

George Williams, wearing his riding helmet, competing on Uniqa at the US Dressage Finals.

Photo by Susan J. Stickle

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Tagged under: column, dressage, equestrian, helmet rules

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We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
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Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
Don't get caught without your green on today!🍀🍀
 
In today's featured article, we have Jessica Howington, who is dressed for the occasion in her green shirt! Jessica is the Owner/Rider at CrownView Dressage, a Realtor with Showcase Properties of Central Florida, and a Nurse Practitioner! Jessica has been involved with horses since she was a little girl. Everything from bareback to eventing she tried until she found her love for dressage.

Today, she and her family own CrownView Dressage, a 157-acre training, boarding, and breeding facility in Ocala, Florida. Jessica started training and teaching but felt as if her life was still missing something. Until Jessica focused on horses full-time, she didn’t realize how important the healthcare field was to her life. Jessica missed seeing patients and being in the medical field. Jessica is now back to working again as a nurse practitioner while also focusing on training her five competition horses, including her Grand Prix mare Cavalia. 

Jessica feels lucky 🍀 to have two amazing parents who have supported her in all of her endeavors and instilled the importance of work ethic, morals, dedication, and sacrifice. 

You can read all about Jessica and how she's finding fulfillment in her busy lifestyle in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine! Click the link in our bio for more 

✳️Tag us in your “lucky” photos for a chance to be featured on our story! Happy st. Patrick’s day everyone!🍀🍀

📸Photos by Melissa Fuller, msfullerphotography.com 

#stpatricksday #irish #stpattysday #green #ireland #luckoftheirish #stpaddysday #shamrock #happystpatricksday #lucky #saintpatricksday #leprechaun #stpatricks #stpatrick #kissmeimirish #clover #paddysday #march #potofgold #stpattys #love #beer #guinness #shopsmall #handmade #stpatricksdaydecor #stpatricksdayoutfit #fourleafclover #stpatricksdayparade #luckycharms
Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no stranger to balancing a busy schedule. From serving as president of the Pony Club South Region Youth Board to working on her online high school courses and modeling gigs, Devon has nearly every minute of her time planned out. And with her horses right in her backyard in Ball Ground, Georgia, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Devon’s fast-paced lifestyle stems from growing up around her parents’ animal casting business, Animal Casting Atlanta, where they train and provide animals for projects in the film industry. Devon’s parents, Carol and Greg, took her on her first film job at just two weeks old; both parents pushed Devon toward acting when she was younger. While Devon didn’t want to be an actor herself, she did follow in their footsteps with her love of animals, especially horses. 

“My parents’ company has provided animals for ‘The Hunger Games,’ ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Suicide Squad,’ a majority of the Marvel TV shows, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and so many more,” Devon said.

Devon started her equestrian journey when she was 9 years old. Initially, the Tresans bought a flashy gray Welsh pony, I Am Superman, for Devon to take in the hunter ring. However, Superman lived up to his name and proved to be too speedy for the job. 

“He was super cute and just a great little ride,” Devon said, “but he was still a pony! He made me work hard for everything we accomplished together. I was lucky enough to ride with a trainer who did both hunters and eventing, so we were able to switch disciplines pretty easily. Those eventing lessons together kickstarted my love for the sport.”

Read all about Devon and her busy life in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more
@TrDevon Lane Tresan  @Devontresan

📸Photo by Carol Lane Tresan
📸Photo courtesy of Devon Tresan
📸Modeling photo by Sara Hanna, @atlphotos 

#model #fashion #photography #love #style #instagood #photooftheday #beauty #instagram #beautiful #like #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #Sidelinesmagazine
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