Riding Helmets for Child Jockeys

A child jockey racing with a new helmet provided by Go Help

In 2008 Go Help supplied helmets to child jockeys right across Mongolia, including the winning rider of the biggest Naadam race! Read all about the project here.

Why Helmets? In Mongolia, more than 30,000 child jockeys compete in horse races each year. Children riding horses in races is a popular tradition, but as horse racing has become more and more commercialised, injuries and fatalities have increased drastically - in part because races are now taking place at sub-zero temperatures.

Horses and horse riding are synonymous with nomadic life in Mongolia, and from the days of Chingis Khan conquering all before him, they have been immortalised by Mongolians as a most trusted and loyal friend. In a country where there are still only 100,000 cars registered, the horse still performs a vital mode of transport, as well as the focal point for all Mongolians during the Naadam Festival held in July.

"A Mongolian without a horse is like a bird without wings" - Mongolian Proverb.

Mongolian horses are strong, and more sturdy than the UK breeds, as well as being a few hands shorter in height. However they are the kings of endurance, and able to travel for many days across the steppe, where other breeds would not be able to. Jockeys are traditionally children, aged between 4-10 years old, and in a country where there are 100,000 races a year there many are injuries and fatalities. In recent years there have been around 15 deaths each year, which could easily be avoided if children wore helmets. This project aims to distribute riding helmets to children taking part in the horse racing events in the traditional Naadam festival in Mongolia.

Video of the Project in July 2008

Download a high resolution copy of this video Helmets.mp4 [90MB]. 

Supporters of the Project

Mr Samdanjamts, Chairman of the Horse Racing Association, Mongolia"I'm delighted to speak on behalf of Mongolian Horse Racers that helmets given by the CDPF and Go Help are extremely important for horse riding children to secure them from injuries." - Mr Samdanjamts, Chairman of the Horse Racing Association, Mongolia

"Thank you to the people of Great Britain for helping to make this project happen." Mr S Erdene, Member of Parliament

"From the bottom of the heart of Mongolian people, they love fast horses and respect their children for making these horses go fast. Thanks to the CDPF and Go Help for the helmets." Tsagaandalai - Traditional Sport Commentator on Mongolian Public Television and Radio

Gandi Tumur, MP and Trustee of the CDPF in Mongolia

How the project works

Go Help organise the Mongolia Charity Rally and charge an entry fee to teams that take part. Part of the entry fee is used to buy helmets direct from the manufacturers, and others have been donated by the manufacturers and distributors. Go Help arranges for the donated helmets to be shipped to the CDPF in Mongolia. Some helmets are shipped direct from the manufacturers. The CDPF arrange for the distribution of the helmets in Mongolia.

Thanks to the following for their help

Special thanks to Bruno Goyens and the Design Headwear team for Design Headwear Logoproviding 250 helmets at cost. 

Thanks also to Alison Gurney, Country Equestrian in Bicester - 01869 277742, Millview Saddlery in Misterton - 01427 890509, Emma Sumbler at Centell Saddlery in Reading - 0118 9425168 for their contributions from the UK.

More information about Child Jockeys in Mongolia

Press Release from the International Labour Organization on Child Jockeys

'Play the Game' article on Mongolian Child Jockeys

International Herald Tribune article

Photographs of Child Jockeys by Shiho Fukada

Photos of child jockeys from 2009