Equestrians to Ann Romney: Wear a Helmet!

Posted by Jose Lambiet , October 11, 2012 Print

South Florida’s horse community has a beef for First Lady wannabe Ann Romney.

The phones of Gossip Extra headquarters have been ringing off-the-hook over the past couple days. Boca Raton and Wellington riders who watched the wife of GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney atop her favorite horse on ABC’s Good Morning America — without a helmet on!

“I’m appalled,” said one caller, Boca’s Margie Finklestein. “I wouldn’t have voted for her husband anyway. But she should be an example for all riders. And riding like she did with just a little visor on her head is really not appropriate.”

Here’s the offending clip from yesterday’s GMA. The footage of Ann Romney on the back of her dressage horse is at the 3m40 mark:

In Wellington, the publicist for the U.S. Olympic Dressage Team said the area is home to several high-level riders who’ve been hurt in horseback accidents.

“The dressage community has banded together in favor of the use of protective head gear,” said Spokesman Mason Phelps. “But it’s also a personnal choice. It’s like wearing a helmet on a motorcycle. If you don’t wear one on a horse, you risk getting hurt.”

Featured Palm Beach Videos ABC, Ann Romney, Boca Raton, controversy, dressage, election 2012, Florida, GMA, Gossip Extra, horses, Jose Lambiet, Mason Phelps, Mitt Romney, Olympics, presidential, Wellington