Babington: Triumph,Tragedy, Inspiration
From a small town in Ireland to the Olympic Games, Kevin Babington’s journey is one of grit, determination, and an unwavering love for horses.
In late August 2019, Kevin experienced a life-altering moment when he suffered a complete spinal cord injury following a fall during the 2019 Grand Prix at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY, United States. In early September, Kevin underwent a critical surgery to stabilize the vertebrae in his neck. By mid-October of that same year, he had made significant progress, transitioning from relying on a ventilator for breathing to facing the challenge of being paralyzed from the neck down. Remarkably, just two months later, Kevin began teaching from his wheelchair. Today, he remains on a determined journey, actively participating in experimental stem cell therapy, holding onto the hope of regaining movement below the neck.
This life-altering event marked the inception of the Kevin Babington Foundation, which was established in 2019.
The Foundation is guided by a set of vital objectives:
- Establish standardized protocols for the immediate treatment of spinal injuries, ensuring accessibility across various locations.
- Provide funding for grants tailored to support show jumping athletes who sustain spinal injuries while actively engaged in Show Jumping. These grants aim to facilitate consultations with top-tier medical professionals at leading healthcare facilities. Our charter is dedicated to this specific group of athletes.
- Allocate resources to support the development and promotion of cutting-edge safety equipment within the equestrian community. We recognize that our sport lags in this area and are committed to exploring innovative options in safety vests and riding coats that are readily available.
- Collaborate with national equestrian federations and competitions to educate equestrian show jumping athletes about the importance of available safety equipment, thus enhancing protection against catastrophic injuries.
Through these objectives, the Kevin Babington Foundation strives to make a meaningful impact on the safety and well-being of show jumping athletes while championing advancements in spinal injury treatment and prevention.
Kevin Babington Foundation Mission
Kevin Babington Foundation (KBF) has been created to provide funding and support for Equestrian Show Jumping Athletes who sustain spinal injuries. In addition to providing financial assistance the foundation will also strive to educate riders, trainers and show organizers about the most current safety measures designed to reduce the risk of serious injuries which can occur while riding.
501c3 Nonprofit Organization
The Board of Directors here at the Kevin Babington Foundation is very pleased to announce that the foundation has been officially recognized as a tax exempt organization, as described in section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. With this designation, the foundation has opened the door for many more opportunities by way of collaboration, fundraising and recognition as a non-profit organization in the equestrian community.
Donations will be used to help rehabilitate equestrian show jumping athletes with spinal injuries.
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Donate to the Kevin Babington Foundation
Donations will be used to help rehabilitate Show Jumping Athletes who sustain a spinal injury. Thank you for your support.
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