Question: Who knew so many equestrians were also skilled poets? The Riding Helmet Haiku contest Saddle Seeks Horse held in honor of International Helmet Awareness Day last weekend is over, but the haiku themselves promoting safety live on in this blog post.

And the winner is. . . Dana M.! 

The randomizer selected Dana and she chose a $50 gift card to Dover! Yay, Dana!

Read on to laugh and smile at your fellow riders’ talents.

And yay everyone who entered because your enthusiasm for noggin protecting is a beautiful thing.

There were too many haiku to publish all of them, so this is just a sampling (if you don’t see yours and you really wanted it to be published–send me an email Susan@saddleseekshorse.com and I’ll make sure you get the publicity due you).

Before we get on to the haiku, here’s something cool that’s coming up in a couple of weeks–and it’s haiku related.

In Other News

I was interviewed this week about Saddle Seeks Horse for a podcast episode of Horsemanship Radio and the host Debbie Loucks (Monty Roberts’ daughter) LOVED our riding helmet haiku contest and encouraged me to hold another one again next year!

I dreamed aloud that maybe we could get some of the helmet companies to sponsor the fun by donating helmets for the haiku contest! (So if you’re reading this Charles O., KEP Italia, Samshield, or Ovation–I’m lookin’ at you!). I got to read some of the haiku and they’ll be on episode 101.

I’ll be sure to let you know when the podcast is available to listen to.

Some of the Helmet Haiku (That Made Me Laugh, Wince or go “Aw!”)

I LOVED reading all the various entries and had amazing email exchanges with many haiku poets. Enjoy!

I watched my money flee
As I hit that darn oak tree
Bye cute Kask helmet

-Sophia

Helmets are nifty
I want to live past sixty
I hope you pick me

-Alanna from PonyExpress

Tall OTTB
It’s a long way to the ground
Helmets will break falls.

-Hannah

Edie from Michigan sent in a more traditional type of poem along with a note that said, “This nana wears her helmet for all her grandchildren to see how very important they are to me!” And she sent this adorable collage of her riding her horse Beamer and her grandkids sporting helmets. (Thanks, Edie!)

Thinking I look funny, I bet
But it’s not about the look while on one ride
Love me, love my helmet
And I’ll be OK and still be healthy by your side

This brain defender
Keeps me thinking, on my toes
Appreciation
-Jess K.
(Jess also sent in an amazing helmet photo–a silly selfie with her horse and they’re BOTH smiling, but sadly WordPress will not display it properly. The photo, even when rotated via the editor, appears the wrong orientation. Womp womp. If you know how to fix the mysterious WordPress-not-displaying photos properly situation, drop me a line.).
Plastic and thick foam
Prevent injury and pain
Oh how magical!
-Laura

Love riding my horse.
Don’t love hitting the hard ground.
But my helmet helps

-Tia

Helmet that I wear
Any horse can be foolish
Please protect my head

-Melinda

I helmet atop,
An example I set, and
A brain still intact.
-Mark T.
Thank you, dear helmet!
I’ve only got this one skull
Please do your job well.
-Amanda S.
Without your hard shell
All that money for grad school
Would have been a waste
-Clare @nermalthehorse

Emma from was first to take the Helmet Haiku challenge!

And special props to Emma from Fraidy Cat Eventing who not only was the FIRST person to enter the Riding Helmet Haiku contest, submitting TWO (#overachiever) but also sent this amazing picture of her riding! Thanks, Emma!

over confident
we careen toward the rolltop
this will end badly

deer leaping across
my life flashes before me
thank god for helmets
I’m so happy that this last-minute Helmet Haiku Contest was well-received. Thank you for the support. And keep your eye out for next year!

Get the Inside Scoop For Next Year’s Riding Helmet Haiku Contest

Hey, if you are not on my email list for very important horse lovers, I would love to have you sign up. You’ll get the inside scoop about The Second Annual Helmet Haiku Contest in 2018 and twice-a month emails in the meantime. To get on the list simply click here.
Thank you for reading and haikuing.
Comment: It’s not too late to write a haiku. Yes, the contest part is over, but the fun goes on. Do you have a haiku to share? Leave it in the comments section. 
And if you like to “party” on social media, you can find my handsome TB Knight and me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Come follow us!

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Photo of Susan with her horse Knight

I'm Susan and this is my horse Knight. We have been a blogging team since 2015 and we're glad you're here. Tally ho!

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