United States Eventing Association

Riders4Helmets Announces Speakers and Agenda for 4th Safety Symposium

The popular helmet awareness campaign Riders4Helmets will be hosting the 4th Riders4Helmets Safety Symposium on Saturday February 2nd, 2013, at the Alltech Arena, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The symposium is being sponsored by Tipperary, Charles Owen, Troxel, GPA, One K, Ovation, High Visibility USA (Equisafety) and Point Two. Contributing companies include Valley Vet, Adequan and Triple Crown. For those who cannot attend the symposium in person, videoed sessions will be available on www.riders4helmets.com following the event. Attendance to the symposium is open to any member of the public, but individuals who plan to attend must preregister in order to avoid the $10 entrance fee for the event. To preregister, please visit www.riders4helmets.com/helmet-safety-symposium-registration/ no later than Friday February 1st at 6 p.m. EST.

The Craig Ferrell M.D. Equestrian Safety Awards named the late USET Physician and Chair of the FEI Medical Council Craig Ferrell, will be presented at the Safety Symposium. Mrs. Lorraine Ferrell will be in attendance to observe the recognition of individuals who have been nominated by equestrians as being exceptional role models for helmet wearing or equestrian safety.

AGENDA

8.30-8.40 a.m. - Welcome & Introduction by Lyndsey. Dedication to Dr Craig Ferrell

8.40-8.50 a.m. - Riders4Helmets Three Years On - Courtney King Dye (video)

8.50-9.00 a.m. – Point Two Safety Presentation (video)

9.00-10.00 a.m. - Current Helmet & Safety Rules: Clarification Across The Disciplines - Leigh Anne Claywell (USEF), Jeff Johnston (Jockeys Guild), Thor Norregaard, M.D.

10.00-10.15 a.m. - In Memoriam: Cheryl Strong-Camilleri - Britni Lovelace

10.15-10.30 a.m. BREAK

10.30-11.20 a.m. - Safety on the Trail - Caroline Scrima (ACTHA), Scot Hansen (HorseThink™ Keeping You Safe), Sandy Siegrist

11.20-12.30 p.m. Helmets in the Western World - Tammy Sronce (Multiple CMSA World & National Champion Cowgirl), Lyndsey Jordan (Champion Reiner), Megan Sparks (Champion Barrel Racer), Kathy Slack (RidingHorses.com), Mary Miller Jordan (Reserve Champion Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover)

12.30-1.30 p.m. LUNCH

1.30-1.45 p.m. Craig Ferrell M.D Equestrian Safety Awards - Presented by Allison Springer

1.45-2.30 p.m. We Are All Role Models: Setting An Example - Allison Springer, Kristen Posner

2.30-3.00 p.m. Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions: The Latest Research, Long-Term Effects and Revolutionary Technologies - Dr. Nooregaard

3.00-3.15 p.m. BREAK

3.15-4.00 p.m. Breakout Sessions

• Educating Our Youth: How do we educate young riders on safety (including western disciplines). What education ideas can be tailored to youth (including western disciplines) GROUP LEADER: Allison Springer

• Safety Incentives - Thinking Outside The Box To Get Helmets Introduced Into Non-Helmet Wearing Disciplines (Helmet Incentives, Free helmets etc) GROUP LEADER: Kathy Sparks

• Helmets in the breed disciplines: How do we get the various breed organizations to start to have discussions regarding their members' safety? And provide education to the breed organizations GROUP LEADER: Leigh Anne Claywell

4.00 -4.15 p.m. Breakout Sessions Summary Presentation - Allison Springer, Kathy Sparks, Leigh Anne Claywell

4.15-4.45 p.m. Summary of the days key discussion points and calls to action - Jeff Johnston

4.45-5.00 p.m. Conclusion, International Helmet Awareness Day 2013 & International Equestrian Safety Conference - Lyndsey White

Speaker profiles can be found at www.riders4helmets.com/category/speaker-profiles/.

The Kentucky Horse Council Round Up will also be taking place at the Alltech Arena on the same day as the safety symposium. The Kentucky Round Up will feature a number of demonstrations, activities and events, culminating in a concert on Saturday evening with country music legend John Michael Montgomery. For further details on this event please visit www.kentuckyroundup.com.

For more information on the Riders4Helmets campaign, visit www.riders4helmets.com. You can also follow the campaign at www.facebook.com/riders4helmets and http://twitter.com/riders4helmets.

Riders4Helmets was founded in early 2010 after Olympic dressage rider Courtney King Dye was seriously injured in a riding accident. King Dye, who remained in a coma for a month following her accident, was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and continues to undergo rehabilitation. The goal of the Riders4Helmets Campaign is to educate equestrians on the benefits of wearing a properly fitted and secured, certified helmet.