by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 7, 2022
Virginia Tech just released the safety ratings for 40 equestrian helmets following an initiative undertaken with funding from eventing supporter Jacqueline Mars, the U.S. Equestrian Federation, U.S. Eventing Association and the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association.
The project involves the same system Virginia Tech uses for its football helmet ratings. The best helmets get the most stars. The interesting thing is the wide variance in price among the top choices. So yes, you can afford a top-rated helmet. Click here to see where your helmet fits in.
Over the past two years, Virginia Tech researchers analyzed over 100 videos of riders falling off horses, precisely measured the hardness of the sand, dirt, grass, and synthetic surfaces underfoot at equestrian events, and dragged dummy heads and other equipment — and boxes and boxes of helmets — out to Virginia Tech’s equestrian facilities to simulate falls.
Then the team of researchers from the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics took all that data back to the lab to recreate those events in a series of controlled, quantitative tests. They used those tests to assess 40 equestrian helmets from different manufacturers. The result is the first set of equestrian helmet ratings from the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab.
If a rider’s head hits the ground in a fall, their helmet can determine whether the rider makes it through without an injury. That’s why the Helmet Lab wanted to determine which helmets perform better than others. Of the 40 models included in this initial set of ratings, two earned the top score of five stars. Eleven earned four, and the rest earned three or below. Price isn’t necessarily a predictor of quality: One of the two five-star helmets retails for $460, and the other for $58.
The ratings apply to falls that occur at all gaits, as well as jumping.
The lab’s extensive testing also shed more light on what happens during real impact in the equestrian arena and illuminated some gaps between the required safety standards these helmets have to pass before going on the market and the actual impact they’re subjected to when a rider is wearing them.
“Standards for equestrian helmets are typically based on severe impacts,” said Stefan Duma, director of the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science at Virginia Tech.
“What we found is that a lot of riders come off at lower velocities, and many helmets are too stiff to effectively cushion those softer impacts. The helmets that perform better are able to deal with different energy levels.”
Virginia Tech’s ratings also go beyond the existing standards by using a formula that considers the rotational acceleration that occurs when a rider’s head hits the ground, in addition to linear acceleration.
This is the lab’s ninth major ratings release since researchers began rating helmets in 2011. They have tested and rated helmets for varsity, youth, and flag football; soccer; cycling; hockey; snow sports; and whitewater sports, transforming the science of sports safety by giving athletes, parents, and coaches unbiased, quantitative data they can use to choose the safest equipment.
“With every sport we look at we go through detailed analysis to make sure that the biomechanics we’re testing relate specifically to those athletes,” said the director.
“For these ratings, we determined what the acceleration profile would look like for a rider falling on the ground. Then we take that trace and bring it into the lab and recreate it, to make sure that our testing matches what a rider would experience if they fell off a horse.”
The pendulum impactor used for the equestrian helmet testing sits in a lab space outfitted with custom-built test equipment in the basement of the headquarters of the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science.
When the pendulum strikes a head form protected by one of the helmets being tested, sensors inside the head form record the blow. Each helmet model was tested at three impact locations and two impact speeds that are representative of real-world falls.
T“The U.S. Equestrian Federation is not only fully committed to the welfare and protection of horses but also of our people,” said David O’Connor, chief of sport at the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
“The launch of the rating system developed through the helmet research done by the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab is an exponential step in improving equipment in the world that will reduce the risk of injuries. We are proud to have supported this research and congratulate the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab on their progressive work for the benefit of all equestrians.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 8, 2022
The amazing blind Appaloosa Endo, who has the ultimate trust in his rider, is always busy. Now he has set the mark high again in the Guinness World Records. Read a story we ran about him in 2020 by clicking here.
To learn about this amazing horse’s current accomplishments in jumping and dressage, go to this link
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 16, 2022
World Dressage Champion Lottie Fry of Great Britain picked the right place to be close to perfect with the magnificent Glamourdale, winnning the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle at the London International Horse Show tonight.
Her overall score was 90.995 percent, but one of the five judges gave the 26-year-old rider an artistic marking of 98 percent, totally amazing. Lottie’s total bettered her world championships freestyle mark of 90.654 on the 11-year-old black stallion.
Lottie Fry and Glamourdale enjoy their victory lap in London. (Photo courtesy FEI)
“The support from the crowd tonight was incredible, and to end this amazing year here is wonderful! It is almost impossible to sum up 2022–it has been incredible and coming to London and performing in front of my home crowd is the best feeling and the best way to end the year,” Lottie said.
Talking about Glamourdale’s performance tonight, she added, “I had such an easy, fun ride. He is better than he was in Herning (world championships) and we keep improving, so I can’t wait for the years to come. Paris (Olympic Games 2024) is for sure the goal, and we will see how it goes until then”.
Glamourdale and Lottie Fry at the World Championships, where they were stars.
Her countryman, Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca, also a Dutchbred, were second but far behind, even on a very respectable score of 84.590 percent.
Third went to Germany’s Ingrid Klimke, better known as an eventer, who finished on 82.170 percent with Franzikus FRH. Ingrid leads the Western European League as she seeks to qualify for the Cup finals this spring in Omaha.
To see all the scores, click on this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 11, 2022
With tears running down his face, McLain Ward talked about his stunning victory today in the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva, Switzerland, aboard the 16-year-old HH Azur.
A double exposure of a victorious McLain Ward on HH Azur juxtaposed against an overall shot of the Palexpo arena.
“It’s something I always dreamed of,” he said, after putting in an amazing time of 38.43 seconds to defeat hometown hero and defending champion Martin Fuchs of Switzerland on Leone Jei, clear in 39.77 seconds.
Coming down to the final obstacle in the race against the clock, Azur put in an extra stutter stride that seemed certain to result in toppling one of the green and yellow rails.
Yet miraculously, everything stayed in place to assure McLain’s win in the prestigious class at the Palexpo Arena, which looked like Aachen moved indoors with its lake and trees.
“I don’t know how she cleared the last fence. Really amazing,” declared McLain, only the third American to win the featured class in the history of Geneva’s December show..
“But that’s what you have to do to beat Martin Fuchs.”
Rolex runner-up Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei.
His face a study in joy and amazement, McLain started celebrating as soon as he realized he had done it, waving and fist-pumping as joy washed over him.
McLain added about his 2017 World Cup champion, “Azur is an incredible partner and friend. ”
He offered thanks to her team and owners, mentioning the late Hunter Harrison and his father, Barney Ward, who he is sure was looking down on his effort today.
McLain had the fastest time with Contagious on Friday in the Rolex International Jumper Riders Club Top Ten Finals, but finished fourth with a rail down. He kept up the speed quotient of that performance today, going fastest in the first round of 40 starters, which gave him the advantage of running last in the 13-horse jump-off, where he aimed at Martin’s time.
Martin Fuchs and McLain Ward.
World Champion Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden, winner of the Top Ten on King Edward, did not make the jump-off today when a rail near the end of the course scuttled his chances.
Germany’s Daniel Deusser, who was looking to clinch his second segment of the four-part Rolex Grand Slam after winning the competition at Spruce Meadows in September, wound up sixth on Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z in 42.58 seconds.
The Grand Slam cycle starts again next year in s’-Hertogenbosch, Holland, and you can bet McLain will be there at the Dutch Masters, looking toward a sweep to take the bonus.
Scott Brash of Great Britain became the first rider to take the Grand Slam in 2015.
Despite not winning the featured class in Geneva, Martin had a special day, having said on Friday that his main focus this afternoon would be on the retirement ceremony for his great star, Clooney.
Martin Fuchs shows his fondness for Clooney during the star show jumper’s retirement at Geneva.
The horse he rode to the European Championship and individual silver at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games is headed for the pasture after recovering from a broken shoulder he suffered last year in the pasture.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 8, 2022
Spain’s Santiago Varela, who designed the memorable show jumping courses for the Tokyo Olympics, will work alongside Gregory Bodo of France to lay out the routes for the show jumping competition and eventing stadium jumping phase at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Olympic team silver medalist Jessica Springsteen of the USA over one of the imaginative jumps on Santiago Varela’s Tokyo course.
FEI President Ingmar De Vos noted that “As is always the case for the Olympic Games, we went through a thorough evaluation process and selected two individuals, both of whom hold a wealth of experience and are renowned for their dedication and impeccable work ethic.
“The designs created by Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo are stunning and combine huge expertise with unique local flavor. Most importantly, they always put the horse at the core of their thought process and produce courses mindful of the welfare of both our equine and human athletes. ”
As he pointed out, the two have worked together on numerous occasions, including the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, where Santiago handled the courses and Gregory was the assistant designer.
“I am convinced that with their knowledge, creative spirit, and professional attitude, the equestrian community, the spectators and the fans around the world can expect jumping courses of the highest quality,” the FEI president continued.
“With the equestrian events scheduled to be held in Versailles with the historical château as the uniquely beautiful backdrop, these are set to be truly exceptional Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 6, 2022
One of the greatest dressage horses, the fiery Salinero, died in retirement today at the age of 28.
“My heart has been broken,” said the Netherlands’ Anky van Grunsven, who rode her partner to two Olympic individual gold medals and four World Cup titles.
“Salinero my hero has left us in tears. The memories never fade away.”
As the Dutch federation noted about the Hanoverian son of Salieri, “Together with Anky, he was the icon of Dutch and international dressage sport for years.”
Salinero on his way to another freestyle gold medal with Anky van Grunsven at the 2008 Hong Kong Olympics. (Photo © 2008 by Nancy Jaffer)
Anky’s Olympic freestyle gold medals in Athens (2004) and Hong Kong (2008) with Salinero followed her gold in Sydney (2000) aboard Bonfire, but Salinero carried her to new heights.
She continued her rivalry with her German counterpart, Isabell Werth, making the first part of the Twenty First Century an exciting time for dressage enthusiasts.
While Salinero, who began competing as a jumper, had an impressive style, he also was impatient. His hot and sparkly character was reflected in not wanting to halt properly. And at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, he bolted during the team prize giving ceremony and seemed headed for downtown Aachen before he was stopped by a police horse barricade. But he was in fine form for the freestyle at the show in Germany, where he won again.
His long competitive career ended at the 2012 Olympics in London, where he and Anky helped the Dutch to a team bronze, and he was sixth in the freestyle. He spent the rest of his life in happy retirement.
