UK Sports Medicine's Equestrian Athlete Initiative helping understand, treat the person atop the horse

By Alan Lytle

Published May 6, 2025 at 9:49 AM EDT

Ways To Subscribe

The eyes of the world have been on Kentucky these last few weeks with the buildup to the Kentucky Derby. Much has been made of the million dollar four-legged athletes, but what about the other component of the duo; the rider? The University of Kentucky Sports Medicine Research Institute (SMRI) is specifically aiming to find what, where and who needs their targeted interventions that can be designed to help improve safety. Dr. Greg talks with Kimberly Tumlin, Ph.D., UK College of Health Sciences assistant professor and research director of the Equestrian Athlete Initiative.

The UKSMRI Equine Athlete Initiative recently presented their jockey safety findings at a conference at Keeneland in Lexington: