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Wentworth Hunter Pace - June 6, 2021

After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time!  most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the

Finally, a SMART rule change for the USEF!

I know everyone has their own opinion about helmet use.  And I normally refrain from writing about it here on my blog.  Hence the reason I did not post anything about Courtney King-Dye......

But in light of recent developments, I have to say something!  Personally, I wear a helmet EVERY time, EVERY ride.  I cannot imagine a reason why I would not wear my helmet (same goes for my seat belt).  I also personally don't care for the "personal choice" argument, that it is a viable choice to NOT wear a helmet (or a seat belt for that matter).  If there is technology that can SAVE YOUR LIFE, you need to take advantage of it!!!!  (I also believe that smokers should pay MORE for their health insurance - I don't smoke - but that is another thread for another blog...LOL).

So it is with great happiness that I report that the USEF (United States Equestrian Federation), which governs all equine sports, has announced a landmark rule change!

Effective immediately, all riders at USEA (United States Eventing Association) events MUST wear an ASTM/SEI-approved helmet while mounted!  YAY!

And effective March 1, 2011, all riders at USDF (United States Dressage Federation) shows from Introductory to Fourth Level MUST wear a helmet.  All riders under 18 years at any level must now wear a helmet as well.  YAY!

This is a fantastic rule change.  I can only hope that eventually the FEI will adopt the same policy and require EVERYONE at UPPER LEVELS to wear a helmet!

I am sure the horse forums and blogs will have many different opinions regarding these new rules, but I for one am very, very pleased.

To read the official press release, click here

Comments

  1. I was also glad to see this rule change. There's no excuse not to wear a helmet -- you can get one for less than it costs to do one class at a recognized show!

    The problem with the levels above Fourth is that USDF has no jurisdiction... FEI will have to make the call.

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  2. Amen!!! I have hopped on a horse or two without a helmet (for a cute photo or to bring a loose horse back to the barn) but I fully understand the risks and wear a helmet every time I normally ride... even if it's a dead broke horse. I require that all my students and clients do the same, regardless of age or discipline. So glad to see the rule change.

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  3. Wow! That's a change for the better! I personally think that all the excuses people come up with for not wearing a helmet are complete crap. "I'm just trail riding..." or "I'm too experianced..." or whatever. Okay, I doubt you'll be saying the same thing after you fall off and sustain a life-threatening brain injury. A helmet can't always save you, but it can give you a fighting chance! Thankfully, when I learned that, it wasn't the hard way...

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  4. This is another case of the governed leading the leaders--so many of us have been wearing helmets and advocating the use of them (esp. after C K-D's accident) that *finally* the organization is waking up.

    And we can only hope that the FEI follows the rest of us!

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