The debate over wearing a helmet when riding never really stops but it jumped to the forefront this week after news that U.S. Dressage Olympian Courtney King-Dye fractured her skull and is in a coma after falling off a horse she was schooling in Florida. My thoughts and the thoughts of everyone in the horse world are with Courtney and her family.
I have not seen any confirmation that Courtney wasn’t wearing a helmet but it has always amazed me that anyone would think it’s a good idea to get on a 1000+ pound animal without one, no matter how skilled the rider or how quiet the horse. Why risk it? Some people think that dressage riding isn’t as dangerous as jumping. Again, why risk it?
Megan Rust and her top-hat helmet Photo courtesy of Megan Rust via equisearch.com
There was an interesting dialogue today on the Practical Horseman Facebook page. One person was critical of equestrian magazines which show pictures of bareheaded riders. Another suggested a helmet/top hat hybrid which someone else said was unattractive. Better ugly and safe was the response to that. Another rider piped in that, to set a good example for her younger students, her coach always wore a helmet even when showing and had been criticized by a dressage judge for wearing one while riding a fourth level test.
In my case, there’s no way to put this delicately. In the summer I sweat when I ride my horse and my head is often drenched when I take off my helmet. It’s a bit embarrassing and although I’ve often thought about how nice it would be to ride bareheaded I never get on a horse without it. I feel really vulnerable and a little bit naked without a riding helmet.
I believe that horses are kind and most would never want to hurt us. But we have to respect their size and power and remember that accidents happen, even in dressage.
