Hi, so I know I said that my new year's resolution was to blog more, and I have been thinking about what I'm going to write, but I just never seem to have enough time to actually sit down and type it out! But here I am it's 11 pm, and I'm committed to this! J

So before I even get into telling you about any lessons I've had (with Steffen Peters, Kyra Kyrklund, Scott Hassler, Charles de Kunffy, Michael Klimke ~ kinda impressive list, you would think, what could be more important than education from that big hitter list, right?) I have to share some important thoughts. I'm sure most of you have already heard that Courtney (King-Dye) was involved in a serious riding accident the other day. She is not only a friend, but my next door neighbor down here in Fl as well. This could have happened to ANYONE ONE OF US, and especially when you think about her talent and ability in the saddle ( she's amazing!), you would think someone of that caliber would not be in a position to get that hurt from a horse.  But accidents happen. That is the same reason why when we get into our cars we put our seatbelts on, right? Because accidents can happen when we are least expecting it.  Why not put a helmet on when riding a horse? Is it because it doesn't look good? (I'm not saying anything about Courtney's decision. She actually was usually wearing one when riding the young horses).  We are all guilty of it; how many times have we all thought, "oh I'm just gonna jump on a for a minute", or "oh he wouldn't ever do anything, he's so lazy". A horse can slip, fall, trip, spook at any moment, accidents will happen, but why not be the most prepared you can be if it does.

I'm not gonna lie, I was that rider one year ago. I would only put it on when I thought I would be needing it, on a young, naughty, fresh horse. I never wore it with my more advanced horses, ever. My sponsor, Monique, and my barn manager, Aimee, would always yell at me to put it on, but it just wasn't comfortable, I didn't look as seasoned/professional/sharp/ (whatever), I felt like I looked down more with it on my head. Was I just being lazy? Vain? Wanting to fit in with the other top professionals? What would that say about my riding if I was one of the ONLY professional riders in the sport wearing it? " Hey I think I might fall off, so I put my helmet on just in case my skill is not good enough to keep me on." I mean, what is that?

Along came Dressage Today. They asked me to write an article and then took some pictures. Of course, wearing my helmet. Then the best news came, that they chose a nice picture to put on the cover. Now that was like a dream come true to someone who puts a lot of effort/passion/blood/sweat/tears into riding and writing well. (ok I don't cry when writing, but you know what  I'm getting at!)  So there it was, a cover shot of me riding. Awesome. Then I started thinking; so they thought I was a good enough rider/writer to put me on the cover of our national magazine as someone people might listen to/seek input from/learn from, basically be a little bit of a role model. And there I was with my helmet on, being an advocate of safety for all to see. So isn't dressage about being real and true. So I decided that day that I would not only LOOK like a role model, but I would actually BE a role model. I have worn my helmet every day on every horse since. I even pack the dang thing in my suitcase to take to with me when I teach clinics, in case I have to get on a horse I don't know very well. It just comes down to creating a new habit.

As I sit here and think of Courtney; beautiful, talented, strong, inspiring Courtney, I just think, would we have a different situation if she had been wearing a helmet? I guess we will never know, but it's worth making a better decision for the next time mounting up. I was out at the Derby (big show in Fl at White Fences) and there were many many professionals wearing helmets. Olympians included. My question is, why did it take someone like Courtney to open our eyes? God bless her and watch over her. Til next time, be grateful for all you have, even if it's as simple as walking on your own two legs and breathing with your own lungs. And for goodness's sake, put your helmet on.