Isabell Werth: Wear a helmet to be safe

According to statistics from Germany’s Federal Insitute for Occupational Safety (BAuA), 30,000 accidents happen in equestian sports in Germany each year. 85% are women, with young riders most at risk. In fact, girls under 14 make up 40% of all accidents. Horse riding is ranked fourth in a list of most accident-prone sports, after football, hand-, volley- and basketball, and inline skating.  

The European Home and Leisure Accidents Surveillance System (EHLASS) also collects data on equestrian accidents and has identified which parts of the body are most affected. 10% of riding accidents result in head injuries, 50% of these include bruising or contusions of the brain, approx. 20% also suffer fractures to the skull, while 10% have contusions and bruising to the skull.  

In the European Union, a number of studies show that in equestrian accidents the proportion of head injuries with fatal consequences is always high – too high – at between 57 and 83%. In the majority of cases, such injuries could have been prevented by wearing a helmet.  

Isabell Werth, Germany’s most successful dressage rider, resolved to wear a helmet when she rides. Training at home or competing in the dressage arena, she  wears head protection.  

The undisputed No.1 dressage rider and winner of eight Olympic Medals, eight World Championships, 15 European Championship Medals and eight-time German Champion has chosen to lead by example. “As an athlete in the public eye, with my responsibilities as a mother and as an employer, I see accident prevention as one of my obligations. In dressage, in particular, helmet wearing is still almost a taboo, even on the competition circuit, and there is a clear need for action,” said Werth.   The dressage arena can be dangerous. As was seen following the American rider, Courtney King-Dye’s heavy fall in 2010, with its dramatic consequences.  

Isabell Werth has chosen uvex as her helmet supplier and she signed a long-term contract with the protection specialists based in Fürth, Germany. “The high safety and protection standards, comfort, and optimal ventilation of their helmets, as well as their range of classic, elegant designs suitable for dressage, have completely won me over.”    

“We are delighted to have won the support of such an outstanding, internationally successful athlete,” declared Marcus Krehan, Business Unit Manager for uvex Equestrian. “We are proud to equip Isabell Werth, the world’s dressage icon, with our “Made in Germany” products. It is wonderful that Isabell, as a world-renowned athlete, wants to be an active role model, especially in dressage, where wearing a helmet is still, sadly, unpopular. A horse weighs 400-500 kilogrammes, is up to 1.70 metres high and can run at speeds of 65 kilometers per hour. Anyone who takes a fall, without wearing head protection, rarely recovers. Helmet wearing has become established in cycling and skiing. In horse riding there is the same need to protect the head. By being a role model, Isabell Werth’s contribution will hopefully help to make riding a little safer.”  

Isabell Werth wears uvex’s brand new, world first - a riding helmet specially designed for dressage. The uvex dressage helmet meets the highest safety standards in accordance with  EU Standard EN1384 as well as fulfilling the elegant, refined, visual requirements that dressage demands. New approaches and benchmarks for a riding category which has, until now, refrained from wearing head protection in official competitions, and which prefers the classic, top hat look.

Maximum safety: The uvex dressage helmet has an advanced, hardshell construction which is made using a special injection moulding technique. The shell is made from polycarbonate, an extremely durable polymer, while the inner helmet is made from EPS foam, which is capable of absorbing high impact energy, such as in a collision or from a hoof. This combination is incredibly light, yet offers the highest protection.  

Stylish looks: When designing the shape of the outer helmet, which is moulded directly to the inner, we looked to the traditional, top hat shape. Stylish flair and wow-effect is achieved thanks to the elaborate Paisley print or imitation nubuk leather, applied by hand, to the outer shell. Available in three colours – classic black, bronze and marine.  

Optimal ventilation: The clever, climate-regulating interior helps you maintain a cool head in all situations, even during the heat and sustained physical effort of dressage.  

Perfect fit and comfort: The built-in uvex IAS 3D fit system, with stepless width and height adjustment, adapts to fit every head shape.  

For the time being, this dressage helmet is being worn exclusively by Isabell Werth. It wil be officially unveiled at the riding fair, SPOGA Horse in February 2012, before being available to buy in spring 2012.   

uvex Equestrian  

uvex is a relative newcomer to equestrian sport. However, the family business based in Fürth, Germany is already a proven market leader in producing ski helmets, ski goggles, cycling helmets, and sports eyewear. In three short years since uvex brought its first equestrian helmet to the market, uvex has become highly successful within the equestrian world. uvex continues to make great progress towards market leadership.

Other top equestrian athletes form our uvex Testimonial Team. They include the eventers Ingrid Klimke and Kai Rüder, jumpers Andreas Kreutzer and Thomas Mühlbauer, endurance rider Ursula Klingbeil and dressage riders, Victoria Max-Theurer und Christoph Koschel. Since early 2011, uvex has also been the Official Supplier of equestrian riding helmets and eyewear, to all of the national teams, across all disciplines, in Germany, Holland and Sweden.    

The uvex Group  

UVEX WINTER HOLDING GmbH & Co. KG brings together three globally active companies under one roof: the uvex safety group, the uvex sports group (with uvex sports and Alpina Sports), and Filtral. The uvex group is represented in 22 countries by 41 subsidiaries and chooses to do most of its manufacturing in Germany. Two thirds of the company’s 2,082-strong workforce is employed in Germany.