Lexington, KY -  Building on the success of National Helmet Awareness Day 2010, the popular helmet awareness campaign Riders4Helmets.com has announced plans to host International Helmet Awareness Day 2011 on Saturday, June 11. Riders4Helmets has teamed up with leading helmet manufacturers to offer discounts on helmets to equestrians via participating retailers globally on this day. More than 300 retailers in the U.S. and eight retailers Internationally offered discounts on helmets from eight different manufacturers during last years’ event. It is anticipated that the 2011 event will attract participation from morea than 500 equestrian retailers globally.

Helmet brands that have committed involvement in the promotion to date include Samshield, Troxel, Charles Owen, GPA, Aegis (Devon-Aire), Pegasus, Tipperary, Ovation, IRH and KEP Italia. Additional manufacturers are expected to commit to participating and will be announced in due course.

Individuals or organizations wishing to hold an event to recognize International Helmet Awareness Day may email [email protected] for helmet awareness graphics and other support materials. “You can participate and show your support just by wearing a helmet on June 11, no matter whether you are trail riding, showing or competing,” said Lyndsey White, co-founder of the riders4helmets campaign. “Additionally, Riders4Helmets logo wear is available for purchase at www.equestriancollections.com for equestrians who wish to show their support for the campaign.”

Equestrians may visit www.riders4helmets.com to locate their nearest participating retailer. Manufacturers or retailers wishing to participate in the event may visit the International Helmet Awareness Day page on the website for details on how to become involved and to download promotional support materials.

For more information on the Riders4Helmets campaign, visit www.riders4helmets.com or contact Lyndsey White at [email protected].  You can also follow the campaign at www.facebook.com/riders4helmets and https://twitter.com/riders4helmets. The campaign is officially endorsed by USEF, USEA, USDF, USHJA, AETA, ARIA, EAF, CHA, PRO, EMSA and many leading equestrians.

Riders4Helmets was founded in early 2010 after Olympic dressage rider Courtney King Dye was seriously injured in a riding accident. King Dye, who remained in a coma for a month following her accident, was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and is currently undergoing rehabilitation. Jeri Bryant donated her helmet campaign t-shirts (featuring the slogan “Strap One On–Everyone’s Doing it”) to an eBay store set up to raise funds for King Dye, and a partnership was formed, resulting in the Riders4Helmets campaign.