western australia

The case for safety helmets

@JudyEv (353168)

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.

20 people like this

18 responses

@rsa101 (38559)

• Philippines

13 May

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.

4 people like this

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@rsa101 (38559)

• Philippines

15h

@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 (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

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.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

14h

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

3 people like this

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@Yadah04 (3384)

• Philippines

13 May

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 (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 May

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

2 people like this

@allknowing (145471)

• India

19h

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

3 people like this

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@allknowing (145471)

• India

17h

@JudyEv Does that justify?

3 people like this

@JudyEv (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

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

3 people like this

@JudyEv (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

14h

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

2 people like this

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@wolfgirl569 (115913)

• Marion, Ohio

13 May

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

3 people like this

@JudyEv (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

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

3 people like this

@wolfgirl569 (115913)

• Marion, Ohio

5h

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

@LindaOHio (188479)

• United States

22h

How awful. Sending a prayer.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

Thank you. It's appreciated.

3 people like this

@LindaOHio (188479)

• United States

8h

@JudyEv You're very welcome.

1 person likes this

@Ineeddentures (1089)

•

13 May

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 (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 May

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.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

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

3 people like this

@Ineeddentures (1089)

•

13 May

@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 (98109)

• United States

13 May

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 (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

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.

3 people like this

@snowy22315 (189290)

• United States

13 May

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 (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

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

3 people like this

@FourWalls (74565)

• United States

13 May

He definitely has my prayers.

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

3 people like this

@JudyEv (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

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 (84850)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

22h

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 (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

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

2 people like this

@xFiacre (13588)

• Ireland

23h

@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 (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

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

3 people like this

@Marilynda1225 (84629)

• United States

13 May

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

3 people like this

@JudyEv (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

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

2 people like this

@Dena91 (16949)

• United States

13 May

Praying for him and his wife

3 people like this

@JudyEv (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

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

3 people like this

@Beestring (15350)

• Hong Kong

13 May

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

3 people like this

@JudyEv (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

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

2 people like this

@rakski (135791)

• Philippines

12h

oh my, will pray for him

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@rakski (135791)

• Philippines

7h

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

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

8h

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 (64240)

• Centralia, Washington

13 May

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 (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 May

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

3 people like this

@Fleura (31680)

• United Kingdom

13 May

That is sad news. I hope he recovers.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

Their whole life will surely change in many ways.

2 people like this

@franxav (14108)

• India

13 May

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

3 people like this

@JudyEv (353168)

• Rockingham, Australia

17h

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

2 people like this