Riders can buy a new hat at a discounted price next Saturday (11 June) as part of International Helmet Awareness Day 2011.
Charles Owen, Gatehouse and Champion are all offering their hats at discounted prices through participating retailers for one day only.
Lyndsey White of American campaign group Riders4Helmets, which is organising the day, said: “Oliver Townend’s helmet lining was crushed from 21mm to 13mm following his fall at Kentucky Rolex last year, further confirming just how much protection helmets do offer your head.”
She is urging riders to take the opportunity to replace old hats.
The campaign was launched in early 2010 after US Olympic dressage rider Courtney King Dye suffered a serious head injury while training at home.
It is anticipated that more than 500 tack shops across the world will take part on 11 June.
Charles Owen is offering 10% off its hats, Champion said it is leaving it up to retailers to decide how much discount to give, as is Gatehouse, maker of the HS1.
Claire Williams of the British Equestrian Trade Association said: “International Helmet Awareness Day is a powerful way for the equestrian industry to work together to send out a clear message about rider safety to consumers on an international scale.”
Riders are also getting involved.
Eventer Sharon Hunt said: “Wearing a correctly fitting hat is critical, its so important to put your safety first, you never know what might happen next on a horse. Freak accidents in walk can be as dangerous as a fall when doing x country”
Dressage rider Emile Faurie said: “ Following several high profile riding accidents of late, it really hit home that every day the people I work with and care about were putting themselves at risk by not wearing a hat.
“Since then we have adopted a ‘no hat no ride’ policy at Heath Farm, I applaud any trainer, rider, equestrian centre that do the same”.
And dressage rider Anna Ross Davies added: “My team and I always wear a hat, its simply ‘a no brainer’, there are so many light weight hats on the market that are lightweight and look great too, there is no reason not to”.
Many riders and trainers including UK based eventer Liz Halliday and James Burtwell will all be using their twitter and facebook pages to show their support for this important campaign.
Is your local tackshop taking part? Check below and here
Ayrshire:
Ayr Equestrian Center, South Mains, Corton Road, Ayr KA6 6BY. Tel: 01292 266267 www.ayrequestrian.co.uk
Bedfordshire:
Biggleswade Saddlery, South View, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 8BZ. Tel: 01767 316089 www.biggleswadesaddlery.co.uk
Cheshire:
Hope Valley Saddlery, Somerford Park Farm, Holmes Chapel, Congleton, Cheshire. Tel: 01260 272965 www.hopevalleysaddlery.co.uk
Cornwall:
Cornwall Farmers, Threemilestone, Truro, Cornwall TR4 9LD. Tel: 01872 274301 www.cornwallfarmers.co.uk
Crosswinds Equestrian, Crown Road, Whitemoor, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 7XH. Tel: 01726 822165
Cumberland:
Lowther Equestrian, 27 The Green, Houghton, Carlisle CA3 0NF. Tel: 01228 594404 www.lowtherequestrian.co.uk
Derbyshire:
Hope Valley Saddlery, Greenacres, Edale Road, Edale S33 7ZH. Tel: 01433 670375 www.hopevalleysaddlery.co.uk
Dorset:
The Paddock Pantry Ltd, Unit 5 North Dorset Business Park, Rolls Mill Way, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 2GA. Tel: 01258 473336 www.thepaddockpantry.co.uk
Hampshire:
Park Farm Saddlery, Park Farm, Rectory Road, Oakley, Basingstoke RG23 7ED. Tel: 01256 780375 www.parkfarmoakley.co.uk
Calcutt & Sons Ltd., Bullington Lane, Sutton Scotney, Hants SO21 3RA. Tel: 01962 760210 www.calcuttandsons.co.uk
Kent:
Saddlesdane Equestrian Supplies, Ashford Road, Badlesmere, Faversham, Kent ME13 ONX. Tel: 01233 740178 www.saddlesdane.co.uk
Birchalls The Riding Shop, Plough Wents Road, Chart Sutton, Maidstone, Kent ME17 3SA. Tel: 01622 844104 www.birhallstheridingshop.co.uk
Leicestershire:
S. Milner & Son, Unit 4 Rural Industries, John O Gaunt, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 2RE. Tel: 01664 454839 www.smilnerandson.com
Lincolnshire:
Crowstons Tack Shop Ltd., The Forge, Thealby, Scunthorpe, North Lincs DN15 9AE. Tel: 01724 721808 www.crowstonstack.co.uk
Shropshire:
Crazy Horse Saddlery, Parys Road, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1XY. Tel: 01584 877366
Surrey:
Rokers Tack Shop, Fairlands Farm, Aldershot Road, Guildford, Surrey GU3 3PB. Tel: 01483 235355 www.rokers.co.uk
Chobham Rider, 98-100 High Street, Chobham GU24 8LZ. Tel: 01276 856739 www.chobhamrider.com
West Midlands:
Solihull Riding Club, Four Ashes Road, Bentley Heath, West Midlands B93 8QE. Tel: 01564 778899 www.horsesense.co.uk
Wiltshire:
Equishop, Unit 2 North Station Yard, Warminster Road (A36), Wilton, Salisbury SP2 0AT. Tel: 01722 744934
www.equishopsalisbury.co.uk
Worcestershire:
Equimix Saddlery, Sandy Lane Business and Leisure Park, Stourport -on-Severn, Worcsestershire DY13 9QB. Tel: 01299 827744 www.equimix.co.uk
Yorkshire:
Horse & Rider, 187 Northfield Road, Crookes, Sheffield S10 1QQ. Tel: 0114 268 2523 www.horseandrider.co.uk
