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Dec 15, 2020
Helmet Safety Initiative Reaches $450,000 Fundraising Goal
US Equestrian (USEF) is pleased to announce that an anonymous donor generously stepped up with a $25,000 commitment to the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, ensuring this mission-critical safety initiative hit the $450,000 goal set to complete the STAR Helmet rating project for equestrian sport.
“Tom O’ Mara, US Equestrian President-Elect, called to let me know the good news! He actually was contacted by a donor following our announcement of reaching the $425,000 milestone in early December thanks to the collaborative efforts of USEF, USEA, USHJA, and Jacqueline Mars,” said Dr. Barry Miller, Director of Outreach and Business Development for the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab. “The donor was impressed with the goals of the initiative and wanted to ensure all equestrians could benefit from a more sophisticated rating system for equestrian helmets. We are off and running and are guaranteed the funds to complete the project on the 18-24 month timeline.”
Since 2011, Virginia Tech researchers have been providing unbiased helmet ratings that allow consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing helmets. The helmet ratings are the culmination of over 10 years of research on head impacts in sports and identify which helmets best reduce concussion risk. So far, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab has developed STAR helmet ratings for sports including football, youth football, soccer, flag football, cycling, and hockey (www.vt.edu/helmet). An important study published by the Journal of Neurosurgery in 2016 brought to light how the number of equestrian-related traumatic brain injury compares to other sports-related traumatic brain injury (TBI), reinforcing the importance of equestrian helmet safety.
Work has already begun on the rating system, but the fund will remain open for donations. Any additional money raised will go towards accelerating the development timeline. A tax-deductible donation can be made directly to the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, with 100 percent of all funds going directly to this research. This work is done as part of Virginia Tech’s service mission and is 100 percent independent of any funding or influence from helmet manufacturers.
Nov 18, 2024
Young Event Horse
USEA Podcast #374: Celebrating Young Event Horses
Bringing along a young horse is such a special process for everyone involved. The USEA is excited to dedicate an episode to celebrating some of the special young horses in the United States that have risen to the occasion. Joining USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown in this episode are Tommy Greengard, the rider and co-owner of this year's Holekamp/Turner Grant Recipient That's Me Z who represented the U.S. at Le Lion this year, and Kaylawna Smith-Cook, who piloted Bonner Carpenter's Only-Else to the highest national score in the Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse 5-Year-Old Championships.
Nov 17, 2024
Competitions
Cornelia Fletcher Caps Her Postpartum Return to FEI Competition with a Win in CCI4*-L at The Event at TerraNova
Cornelia Fletcher (USA) and Daytona Beach 8 were the only pair to jump double clear in the B&D Builders CCI4*-L at The Event at TerraNova, claiming the win with a final score of 41.4 penalties.
Nov 17, 2024
Competitions
Jessica Phoenix Rises to the Top with Fluorescent Adolescent in CCI4*-L at The Event at TerraNova
Only two horse and rider combinations finished within the time allowed in the B&D Builders CCI4*-L Saturday at The Event at TerraNova. Canadian Jessica Phoenix on her 16-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare Fluorescent Adolescent (Gaudi x Amelia II) made a huge leap from 14th place after dressage to take the lead on 39.1 penalties.
Nov 15, 2024
Competitions
Mia Farley and Invictus Conquer the CCI4*-L Dressage at TerraNova
Mia Farley and Invictus, owned by Karen O’Connor, took the lead in the B&D Builders CCI4*-L at The Event at TerraNova at the completion of the dressage phase with 27.9 penalties, followed by Olivia Dutton on Sea of Clouds (29.5). Overnight leader Lauren Nicholson is now in third place with Jacqueline Mars’ Larcot Z (30.4).
