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Today is the second day of my first ever Palm Beach Derby. As I wrote yesterday, the weekend started off with the tragic injury of Courtney King-Dye and has everyone at the show sending her and her family positive thoughts and prayers for a full recovery.  I came to the show to see some great riding, do some serious shopping, and have fun. I’ve done all of those things but this show and Courtney’s terrible accident has also brought up the issue of wearing helmets. As an adult amateur I always wear a helmet when I ride. I ride at lower levels and, like many adult amateurs aspiring to higher levels, have always thought it would be a great achievement to wear a top hat in competition one day. This show has me rethinking that quasi-goal. I have ridden my entire life and used to ride hunt-seat and jumped from the age of 7 or so and did some lower-level eventing in my teens. I’ve had my fair share of falls, a few trips to the emergency room, but all in all, I’ve been very lucky. Anyone over the age of 30 who rode as a kid probably had one of those hardhats with no lining and only a thin elastic chin strap. I rode in one of those (when I actually wore a helmet) until the age of 15 when I got a helmet with a better strap but still no padding or lining. Thursday and Friday at the Palm Beach Derby I saw upper-level riders, including Ashley Holzer, Canadian Olympian, riding and showing in a helmet. I loved it! These riders are showing great leadership because they can make a real statement and set an example for kids, adults, and other professionals too. At one point in one of the warm-ups yesterday, there were four riders in shadbellies and three helmets. Having well known and respected professionals set an example is powerful. Here’s a photo from way back that shows me in one of the old-fashioned helmets. They’ve come a long way... 
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