Barrel Racing Champion Martha Josey to Support Head Protection for Equestrian Athletes in Partnership with Troxel

Josey Enterprises to Encourage and Teach About Head Protection in Clinics, Troxel to Sponsor 12th Annual Josey Reunion Round-Up and 24th Josey Junior World Championships

San Diego, CA -- April 25, 2005 -- Martha Josey, the legendary Texas barrel racer and clinician, and Josey Ranch Enterprises, have joined forces with Troxel LLC, the world's leading manufacturer of ASTM/SEI certified equestrian helmets. The sponsorship arrangement, timed to coincide with the 24th Annual Josey Junior World Barrel Racing Championship, has combined Troxel's reputation as the leading maker of certified equestrian riding helmets with the Josey Ranch's extensive involvement in barrel racing and calf roping instruction and its status as a producer of marquee barrel racing competitions.

"My husband, R.E. Josey, and all the people at Team Josey are looking forward to working with Troxel," said Martha Josey. "They have made a significant accomplishment working toward the safety of riders in the English world, and we look forward to helping them do the same in the Western world."

Martha Josey is one of two barrel racers to have qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in four different decades beginning in 1968. In 1980, she and her horse Sonny won both the American Quarter Horse Association and Women's Professional Rodeo Association world Championships, a feat that has never been duplicated. Still active competitors, Josey and her husband have fostered an industry teaching aspiring rodeo competitors the essential tools of competition success.

The Joseys estimate that more than 70,000 students have participated in their clinics and schools over past 37 years, with more than 2,000 riders and their horses participating in clinics annually. While safety and good equipment have always been essential to the Josey's instruction, the idea of helmet safety became especially pressing in the wake of an arena accident involving Martha. After suffering a head injury and broken ribs at a competition in Austin, Texas, she decided to add more safety information to Team Josey's equipment lessons. Joining with Troxel seemed an obvious extension of that safety instruction.

"During the Josey Junior World Championships, a representative from Troxel will be on hand demonstrating the proper fitting of helmets, the different helmet styles, and how their products help protect riders," said Josey. "We believe in them and encourage riders to consider wearing certified helmets by Troxel. Last year, one of my students, a contest champion, was wearing a Troxel helmet at our Josey Junior World Championship."

Dr Richard Timms, CEO of Troxel, was enthusiastic about the new partnership. "Troxel is excited and encouraged by the opportunity to further promote head protection in western riding with Martha and the wonderful staff at Josey Ranch. Not only is she a legendary icon and competitor, but also an inspiring and influential role model. Her positive acknowledgement of the benefits of protective headgear will encourage riders to feel it is acceptable and intelligent to choose to wear a helmet while training and competing."

Troxel established itself in the English riding field, shepherding a nearly universal acceptance of certified riding helmets among enthusiasts of its various disciplines. Last year, the company began spreading the safety message to western riders, who compose roughly 70 percent of the American equestrian public. Barrel racer Delores Toole of Manter, Kan., turned heads at the 2004 National Finals Rodeo as the first competitor in that event's 45-year history to wear a riding helmet in place of the traditional cowboy hat.