THE ACREAGE - The Indian Trail Improvement District held a ceremony at Hamlin Equestrian Park yesterday to rename the park after a local 12-year-old girl who died in 2006 after being thrown off of her horse. The new name will be the Nicole Hornstein Equestrian Park.

Nicole's horse was spooked by a passing car. She was not wearing a helmet and spent 20 days in a coma before dying.

"Today is also an especially special day because today is the first day Nicole's Law goes into effect," said Michelle Damone, president of ITID. "Last fall while this law was being lobbied…people right here in Palm Beach County died and were severely injured proving…that adults should be wearing helmets too. This park will remind everybody that Nicole did not die in vain and her untimely death will save other lives."

Nicole's Law requires children younger than 16 to wear a helmet while riding a horse on public land. Parents of children who break the law can be fined $500.

Nicole's father Gary Hornstein has been lobbying legislators for three years for this law. But even though the law just took effect he's already decided to pass a similar elsewhere.

"We're going to Georgia to pass a law there. Then to Alabama and the Carolinas, all the way up the East Coast," he said.

The new sign at the park reads:

In memory of local Acreage child Nicole Marie Hornstein
(8/7/1993 - 6/24/2006)
An Equestrian Enthusiast

Nicole was an amazing, caring and thoughtful daughter and friend. She loved any and everything to do with horses, and she wanted to learn everything she could about them. She loved being with her family and friends, and was a great listener. She was always caring and put others before herself. Nicole loved her horse Fred.

"Nicole's Law" (F.S. 773.006) was signed on June 9. 2009 by Governor Charlie Crist here at this park. This law went into effect on October 1, 2009.