There were many highlights of the Tokyo Olympics dressage trot-up on Friday (23 July), but many eagle-eyed individuals spotted that Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin was among just a handful of riders to wear a helmet for it.
Charlotte’s Olympic horse Gio is not known for being difficult on the ground – and behaved impeccably throughout the trot-up – but Charlotte was, nonetheless, taking no chances when it came to safety, pairing her riding hat with gloves and the rest of the sporty Team GB ensemble.
“I think it should be a rule [to wear helmets in trot-ups],” said Charlotte. “I see all these crazy horses and it’s so dangerous. I was in Rio when Cosmo reared up and hit the groom on the head, and I will never forget that sound until the day I die.
“You have one chance in life – why not just put a hat on your head? It might ruin the way you look and your hair and whatever, but for me, it’s more about my safety and that’s why I did it.”
Other riders beside from Charlotte Dujardin to don a helmet during the Tokyo Olympics dressage trot-up included Canada’s Moreira Laliberte (Statesman), Finland’s Henri Ruoste (Kontestro DB) and Switzerland’s Estelle Wettstein (West Side Story OLD). There were plenty of eye-catching outfits on display, but the majority of riders did not wear a helmet.
“It’s everyone’s choice if they want to [wear a helmet],” added Charlotte. “You might think you have a really safe horse, but it just takes that one chance. Or it just takes another horse to spin round, and buck or kick and get you.”
Do you think riders and grooms should be required to wear a helmet when trotting up horses at international shows, or should it be left down to personal choice? Let us know your thoughts by emailing hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, and you might be in with the chance of winning a bottle of Champagne Taittinger
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoythe magazine deliveredto your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access ouronline servicethat brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
