from: Horsetalk (dated 11 June 2010)

A promotion to create awareness of head injuries among horse riders is gaining momentum, with support from top-level equestrian administrators and retailers offering discounts on riding helmets.

The support comes as Head Injury Awareness and Appeal Week (June 8-15) is under way.

Equestrian Sports New Zealand Chief Executive Jim Ellis said the ESNZ supports the awareness week, and "recognises the critical importance of wearing approved helmets for riders' safety".

"ESNZ regulations require the wearing of an appropriate safety helmet at all times and ESNZ would encourage all its members to use the off-season to ensure that their own helmets are functional, correctly fitting and in keeping with latest standards of head protection."

The New Zealand Pony Clubs Association has also lent its support, with Nicky Williams saying the wearing of an approved safety helmet is mandatory in Pony Club. "To coincide with Awareness Week, the time seems right for members to check their helmets for fitting, wear and tear and any sort of damage and if needed to replace with a new helmet from a supplier offering the discount," she said.

Equestrian identity Elizabeth Charleston, who sustained a serious head injury in a riding accident several years ago, recently started a group called THINK! The Head Injury Network for Kiwis, and is behind a scheme in which retailers are offering discounts on new riding helmets during the awareness week. This week Charleston was also filmed by Auckland broadcaster Attitude TV for a show on head injuries.

Among the retailers offering discounts is Stirrups Equestrian, where part of the documentary was filmed on Wednesday.

Stirrups is owned by the family of Olympic athlete Sir John Walker. His daughter, Elizabeth Metcalfe, said the number of orders coming through for riding helmets relating to the THINK!/Head Injury Awareness Week campaign had been pleasing.