UK HealthCare performs impressively at the World Equestrian Games
From the opening ceremony to the closing festivities, UK HealthCare made an impressive showing and multiple contributions at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Sept. 25 - Oct. 10, 2011 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.
An Eloquent Thanks
Following a magnificent performance during the opening ceremony, world-renowned cowboy dressage trainer and equestrian performer Eitan Beth-Halachmy became gravely ill and collapsed. He required emergency care from a UK HealthCare medical team and paramedics from the Lexington Division of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. UK HealthCare was the official medical provider for the games.
After making a miraculous recovery during his two weeks at Chandler Hospital, Beth-Halachmy made a video message to thank the doctors, nurses and paramedics that helped save his life and let his fans know he planned to see them at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.
UK HealthCare Team Honored
A UK HealthCare emergency medical team and paramedics from the Lexington Division of Fire and Emergency Medical Services were recognized during the closing ceremony of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Pictured from left are: Jake Salter, Jeanna Terrell, Patti Howard, Penne Allison, Will Scott-Smith, Beth Bonnet (with her son) and Brian Rogers, all of UK HealthCare; private physician Michael Rieser and his wife Wendy; and Frank Handshoe, John “Chip” Walker, Patrick Goltz and Tim Thomas of the Lexington Division of Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
In addition, the UK HealthCare team was honored on the field during the closing ceremony of the games.
“I am very proud of the UK HealthCare medical emergency team and all the hard work they put into caring for each individual,” said Mark D. Birdwhistell, chief external affairs officer, in an Oct. 14 post on blog, External Affairs @UK HealthCare.
“I would also like to congratulate the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare volunteers who made the UK pavilion such a wonderful asset to the games,” Birdwhistell added. “It was a great opportunity to increase visibility for our academics, research and health care.”
The two-story, 3,000-square-foot, blue and white UK pavilion was a showcase for UK HealthCare, university and admissions staff, the College of Agriculture and the Equine Initiative, the Saddle Up SAFELY rider safety program and Commercialization and Economic Development.
More than 240 volunteers, including 100 volunteers from UK HealthCare, worked in shifts at the climate-controlled pavilion. An estimated 40,000 people toured the large displays, watched videos and asked questions of the volunteers.
About 22,000 people provided contact information and 32,000 received UK promotional items. A daily drawing for an iPod encouraged guests to visit at least three of the five display zones.
Positive comments about the UK pavilion came from Gov. Steve Beshear (“It’s a first-class display.”), Dr. Michael Karpf, Dr. Lee Todd, Sen. Mitch McConnell as well as a Cleveland Clinic researcher who noted that UK HealthCare is one of the clinic’s main competitor
Saddle Up SAFELY featured
Saddle Up SAFELY is a rider safety awareness program sponsored by UK HealthCare, UK College of Agriculture and many community organizations. Visit our Saddle Up SAFELY website for tips on avoiding injury around horses.
A story about Kentucky’s Saddle Up SAFELY campaign was featured Sept. 25 on horsetalk.co.nz, New Zealand’s premier equestrian website.
![Horseback_Riding_Safety_Brochure-1[1].jpg](/uploadedImages/about/community/WEG/Horseback_Riding_Safety_Brochure-1[1].jpg "Horseback_Riding_Safety_Brochure-1[1].jpg")
UK HealthCare is partnering with UK’s colleges of Agriculture and Public Health and 40 community, equine and medical organizations to produce the five-year educational campaign.
In a recent UK HealthCare survey conducted by John Mayberry and colleagues, riders with 50 or fewer hours of riding experience were found most likely to be injured. The study also recognized that the more advanced the rider, the greater the chance of serious injury, and the less likely the riders are to use a helmet.
To combat these statistics and survey results, the new Saddle Up SAFELY booklet lists basic tips for horseback riders, checklists for extended trail rides, information about fitting a helmet correctly and safety tips for minor injuries, sprains and fractures, head injuries, and chest and abdominal injuries. Rehabilitation therapy and resources are also available.
"We are grateful to have so many partners that believe in the campaign's mission to raise awareness of horseback rider safety across the state and beyond," said Julia Martin, MD, FACEP, associate professor of emergency medicine at UK HealthCare.
Because the UK HealthCare survey found that 60 percent of Kentucky horseback riding respondents did not wear any safety apparel the last time they went riding, the campaign is more important than ever, Dr. Martin added.
An estimated 40,000 people visited the UK pavilion during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park. The venue showcased UK HealthCare, Saddle Up SAFELY and other UK programs.
Saddle Up SAFELY is a rider safety awareness program sponsored by UK HealthCare, UK College of Agriculture and many community organizations. Visit our Saddle Up SAFELY website for tips on avoiding injury around horses.
By the numbers:
UK HealthCare was the official medical provider for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Sept. 25-Oct. 10 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.
UKHC personnel treated 225 people with medical issues, 102 trauma patients and 629 people with minor issues.
A total of 37 persons were transported to local hospitals.
The total patient count was 956.