The Kevin Babington Foundation and Seaver Unite in a Groundbreaking Safety Partnership

The Kevin Babington Foundation and Seaver Unite in a Groundbreaking Safety Partnership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wellington, FL – July 29, 2025

The Kevin Babington Foundation is proud to announce a powerful new partnership with Seaver, naming the innovative equestrian technology company the Official Safety Vest Manufacturer of both the Kevin Babington Foundation and the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament.

“I am so excited to have Seaver be a part of such an impactful foundation,” says Zakaria Antar, CEO of Seaver. “We hope to bring more awareness and education to the sport and the Kevin Babington Foundation will be the perfect partner to help us achieve that goal.”

This collaboration marks a pivotal step forward in the Foundation’s mission to advance rider safety, awareness, and education across the sport of show jumping. As the equestrian community continues to evolve, the need for cutting-edge protective equipment has never been greater. With Seaver’s industry-leading air vests and the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to advocacy and recovery, this partnership is more than symbolic—it’s a call to action.

“I’m inspired every day by the sport and the courageous individuals the Kevin Babington Foundation stands behind,” said Jeff Papows, Chairman of the Foundation. “My own time in service taught me that support and solidarity are everything. No one serves—or rides—alone. That’s why I’m especially proud to partner with Seaver, a company that shares our deep commitment to protecting and uplifting riders.”

Seaver’s technology-driven air vests represent a leap forward in equestrian safety. Designed to detect and respond to falls in milliseconds, these vests help reduce the risk of severe spinal or internal injuries. Through this partnership, Seaver will create a limited-edition vest featuring the “I Ride for Kevin” logo—a unifying symbol of support for Kevin Babington, Jonathan Millar, Kim Prince, and the many riders whose stories continue to inspire a global community.

“Show jumping is the world’s most beautiful sport,” added Papows, “but it’s also among the most dangerous. We must do better by our riders—and that begins with education, innovation, and real change.”

With this partnership, Seaver becomes the exclusive air vest provider for both the Kevin Babington Foundation and the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament, underscoring a shared commitment to proactive rider safety.

Together, we ride forward—with purpose, with protection, and with each other.

For more information about the Kevin Babington Foundation and how you can support spinal cord injury recovery and rider safety initiatives, please visit www.kevinbabingtonfoundation.org.

To learn more about Seaver’s line of air vests and upcoming “I Ride for Kevin” edition, visit www.seaverhorse.com.

Amy Millar

Kelli Cruciotti-Vanderveen

Silver Oak Jumper Tournament Dates & Schedule

📅 Event Date: September 3 – 7 2025

📍 Location: Flintfields Horse Park

🏠 Address: Traverse City Horse Shows – Flintfields Horse Park – Williamsburg, MI 49690

Click Here to Learn More

About Kevin Babington Foundation:

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. 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.

Kevin Babington Foundation Links