western australia

The case for safety helmets

@JudyEv (381739)

Rockingham, Australia

May 13, 2025 7:20am CST

We had very sad news two days ago. One of the stalwarts of the horse endurance riding world had a bad accident while on a training ride and he hasn’t recovered consciousness yet. His skull is so badly shattered that it can’t be repaired. If/when he recovers, I guess he will have plates in his head. He has been air-lifted to our top hospital but he is in a very bad way. He and his wife both hold positions in the state organisation and do a great deal of work in marking tracks and running events. What is particularly distressing is that he wasn’t wearing a crash helmet. Helmets are compulsory on an official ride but some of the older riders have ridden for years without them. We’re hoping to hear better news some time soon. Prayers would be appreciated. The photo shows him at a ride in 2022. He is tall and thin as you can see.

21 people like this

19 responses

@rsa101 (40946)

• Philippines

13 May 25

Hearing news like this is truly heartbreaking. It’s especially painful knowing that something he loved so deeply—sports—became the very source of his suffering. My thoughts and prayers are with him during this difficult time.

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@rsa101 (40946)

• Philippines

14 May 25

@JudyEv It would be nice to be asked to house sit, though it would naturally depend on your availability. Hopefully, they can find someone so she can take care of her husband’s needs in Perth.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

Thank you. We were asked if you could house-sit as the wife needs to be in Perth nearby but we're house-sitting at our niece's. The work at their place would be a bit too physical for us too I think.

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@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

@rsa101 They have a lot of friends in the endurance world. I'm sure they'll be able to find someone to help.

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@Yadah04 (3480)

• Philippines

13 May 25

That is very unfortunate. I hope he recovers. Prayers for him and his family to get through this bad incident.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 May 25

Thank you. It's very worrying. Their lives have changed in an instant.

2 people like this

@allknowing (153544)

• India

14 May 25

In the photo he has the helmet It is a mystery why he did not wear one at the event that caused that accident

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@allknowing (153544)

• India

14 May 25

@JudyEv Does that justify?

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@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

@allknowing No, not at all. He should have been wearing a helmet.

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@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

He was on a training ride not far from his house.

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@wolfgirl569 (135583)

• Marion, Ohio

13 May 25

Sorry to hear that. Helmets can help in some instances.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

They have saved a lot of lives over the years but sometimes nothing much helps.

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@wolfgirl569 (135583)

• Marion, Ohio

14 May 25

@JudyEv It does truly depend on how you land. I always tell people that even with the gentlest horse it can still be dangerous.

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@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

15 May 25

@wolfgirl569 Maybe he got his foot caught in the stirrup then got kicked in the head. It's very sad but he passed away early this morning.

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@Marilynda1225 (91013)

• United States

13 May 25

That really is sad to hear and I hope that he recovers and is okay. Will definitely add him to my prayers.

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@Marilynda1225 (91013)

• United States

19 May 25

@JudyEv hope he is doing better now?

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@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 25

@Marilynda1225 Infortunately he has passed away. The endurance world is devastated but not as much as his family of course.

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

Thanks. Maybe being unconscious is a good thing. Hopefully the brain is healing itself.

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@Ineeddentures (33875)

•

13 May 25

Sad. All I know is that I would never ride a horse at all without wearing a safety helmet. Riding a motorbike is the same. Always wear a helmet regardless of where you are riding. I hope this guy recovers fully

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 May 25

Years ago I rode in thongs (flip flops) and just a sunhat (plus pants and shirt if you're going to be smart). Helmets weren't in common use back then.

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@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

I keep talking about pot plants and the Americans get that all wrong too. Now I try to remember to say 'potted plants'.

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@Ineeddentures (33875)

•

13 May 25

@JudyEv We rode pedal bikes without hats and cell off frequently. Lucky must have been on our side You had me going there with thongs Wouldn't have been your feets I looked at

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@AmbiePam (120533)

• United States

13 May 25

I will definitely pray for him, and his family. I wish everyone would wear helmets for every sport that would make it safer with one.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

I guess there is always the thought that it won't happen to you. He is very, very experienced but that doesn't mean accidents won't happen.

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@snowy22315 (208746)

• United States

13 May 25

That is sad..sometimes even if you have them on, they don't make much of a difference. Christopher Reeve was properly attired when he had his accident, which as a matter of fact was less than an hour from here. NW Virginia, is wealthy and horsey and they sometimes compete in this area.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

I know some helmets end up really smashed after an accident and I agree. They don't always help.

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@FourWalls (86568)

• United States

13 May 25

He definitely has my prayers.

So terrible that he didn’t have his helmet on.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

He would have grown up without helmets. They're hot and sweaty and I guess he thought he'd be okay like the hundreds of other times when he'd gone out.

3 people like this

@RasmaSandra (97912)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

13 May 25

That poor man, Too bad he did not have a helmet on, I will put in a prayer for him.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

Thanks. It means their life will be totally changed now.

3 people like this

@xFiacre (14782)

• Ireland

13 May 25

@judyev So sorry to hear that. I understand people’s reluctance to wear a helmet if they started riding before such things were de rigeur. I won’t wear a helmet when cycling.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

I always hated helmets. Here, they are compulsory for bike riders.

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@Dena91 (17029)

• United States

13 May 25

Praying for him and his wife

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

Thanks. His wife has moved much closer to the hospital now and is staying with a daughter.

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@LindaOHio (222222)

• United States

13 May 25

How awful. Sending a prayer.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

Thank you. It's appreciated.

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@LindaOHio (222222)

• United States

14 May 25

@JudyEv You're very welcome.

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@Beestring (15373)

• Hong Kong

13 May 25

Sorry to hear the news. Wish him good luck and recovers soon.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

Thanks for the good wishes. I do hope he recovers.

2 people like this

@rakski (156200)

• Philippines

14 May 25

oh my, will pray for him

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@rakski (156200)

• Philippines

14 May 25

@JudyEv with your description of his skull, I do not think he will recover much

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@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

Thank you but I don't think he is going to recover. We're waiting on an update.

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Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (69156)

• Centralia, Washington

13 May 25

I love horses. I wish the fellow better days. We never wore helmets when I was young. I know too much about the dangers of riding.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 May 25

We didn't wear helmets either. They're compulsory in most horse sports now.

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@Fleura (34927)

• United Kingdom

13 May 25

That is sad news. I hope he recovers.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

Their whole life will surely change in many ways.

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@franxav (14588)

• India

13 May 25

Sad to hear of the accident. Sending prayers for him. May our Lord touch and heal him!

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 May 25

Thank you. It's very sad but your prayers are much appreciated.

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@Deepizzaguy (122067)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

16 May 25

I remember a sign inside of a bicycle store in Metairie Louisiana that said something like "Wear a helmet since it is cheaper than brain surgery."

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@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

18 May 25

@Deepizzaguy Thanks. It was a great shock to everyone.

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@Deepizzaguy (122067)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

18 May 25

@JudyEv You are welcome.

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