Source:  Various

Debbie McDonald, US Olympic and World Equestrian Games medalist, as well as World Cup Champion with her beloved partner Brentina, had a serious fall today.  She credits the fact that she was wearing a helmet with diminishing what could have been a very serious brain injury.  

Dressage-News.com reports that she was riding a client's horse in Southern California, when the gelding took off bucking.  She was thrown some thirty feet, landing on her head in the footing.  

She lost consciousness and was taken to the hospital where tests were performed.  She suffered a serious concussion, lacerations on her face, and a black eye, but the tests showed there was no further brain injury.

She credits the helmet with saving her life, and cited her Olympic team-mate Courtney King-Dye's terrible accident and traumatic brain injury for convincing her that she should always wear a helmet. 

Dressage-News.com quotes her as saying from now on, she will not teach anyone who is not wearing a helmet.