The sixth most popular sport across the UK in terms of frequent adult participation, equestrian presents a unique challenge in that rider safety needs to account not only for the weight and position of the athlete but also the tremendous additional loads and moments generated by the horse.  Podium Institute research is primarily focused on reducing the impact of head and spinal injuries, with a key focus on advanced data-driven modelling of the biomechanical cause of these injuries as a tool to develop improved means of rider protection and enhanced helmet design. The development, testing and validation of appropriate standards for next-generation protective equipment that minimises not only the likelihood of fractures but also the probability of concussion constitutes a further research focus.