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| Courtney King injured while riding Posted: 04 Mar 2010 02:18 PM PST In a recent issue of Dressage Today a reader commended one of the high profile demo riders for wearing a helmet. In the premier U.S. dressage magazine, it's a big deal -- noteworthy -- when someone actually rides with a helmet. It merits a Letter to the Editor. I (and I'm sure a lot of others) wondered, Is it going to take someone getting seriously hurt to get people to understand dressage riders are not immune to falls and injury? American Dressage News Courtney King-Dye Severely Injured in Riding Accident
March 4 2010 Courtney fell from a client's horse, which she asked to move the haunches when its legs got tangled and slipped. Courtney hit her head which knocked her unconscious. She was transported by helicopter to St. Mary's Hospital in North Palm Beach, Florida, with a skull fracture.
To Courtney King Dye and her friends and family -- we send all of our prayers and thoughts of healing. Dammit dammit dammit Horse-related injuries happen at any time, and for freakish reasons. It is, often as not, unrelated to talent of the rider, character of the horse, or safety of the environment. All riders, and yes even dressage riders, owe it to our families and our community to protect our safety as best we can. This means wearing a helmet. Even if you think it looks stupid. Even if your horse is a saint. Even if you ride the upper levels. If Courtney was wearing a helmet, it's probably why she is still alive. If she was not, well, right now it doesn't seem that important. We just want her to get better. If any good is to come of this wretched incident, maybe we can use it to make people to rethink old habits -- a teachable moment as we say in higher ed. Let's encourage our fellow riders and boarders to wear helmets and remind them that even top riders like Courtney can take a fall. And if riders start wearing helmets, tell them they look Maaahhvelous!  |
U.S. Olympic team rider Courtney King-Dye got severely injured in a riding accident at her farm in Florida yesterday March 3, 2010. Initial reports say that King-Dye sustained serious head trauma and is currently in a drug induced coma in the Intensive Care Unit.
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