Source: Riders4Helmets

          Lexington, KY (June 7th)- Riders4Helmets.com has teamed up with leading helmet manufacturers around the globe to host International Helmet Awareness Day 2012 on June 9th. In addition to the education events that are happening throughout the day, participating retailers around the world will be offering special discounts on helmets to equestrians on June 9th. You can find a participating retailer near you by visiting www.riders4helmets.com/ihad.
          "In addition to dedicating International Helmet Awareness Day 2012 to Courtney King-Dye, we are proud to also dedicate it to Dr Craig Ferrell, US Equestrian Team Physician and Chair FEI Medical Council, who sadly passed away on May 28th," said Lyndsey White, Riders4Helmets. "Dr Ferrell worked with us on the Riders4Helmets campaign for two years and we intend to continue to grow the campaign globally in his honor."
          Helmet brands that have committed involvement in International Helmet Awareness Day 2012 to date include: Samshield, Troxel, Charles Owen, GPA, Aegis (Devon-Aire), Pegasus, Tipperary, Ovation, IRH, One K, Antarès Sellier France and KEP Italia in the USA & Canada. In the UK, Charles Owen, Champion Hats, Gatehouse and LAS have all signed up. Troxel is participating in Australia.
          "Riders4Helmets will be live streaming "Get Educated" webinars on Saturday June 9th, in which equestrians will have the opportunity to ask a variety of experts questions. All USA times are Eastern Standard Time. You can sign up for the talks at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/385029170. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up early. (Special thanks to EquestrianProfessional.com for helping bring these educational events to you.) Participating speakers include:

Time TBC (please visit riders4helmets.com on Friday for confirmed time – Lucinda will definitely be joining us). Eventing legend Lucinda Green MBE - "Role Models"

9am USA/2pm UK Mr Michael Whitlock MD FRCS FFAEM, Consultant Emergency Medicine, London - "The Importance of Helmets"

10am USA/3pm UK Paul Varnsverry, Technical Director of PVA Technical File Services Limited - "Point Two - Advances in Body Protector Technology"

11AM USA/4PM UK Roy Burek, Charles Owen "Helmet Fitting and When To Replace A Helmet"

2pm USA/7pm UK Olympian and TBI Survivor Darren Chiacchia - "Accidents Happen To Anybody, Including Olympians"

3pm USA/9pm UK Olympian and TBI Survivor Courtney King Dye - "My Story"

4pm USA/10pm UK Mental Skills Coach Tonya Johnston - "Getting Equestrians To Wear Helmets"

          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 is still undergoing rehabilitation.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.