chin-straps on showjumpers at HOYS

[mole]

does anyone else think that it is wrong for riders, regardless of age, to not fasten their chin-straps tightly?

i saw one woman fall off and her hat tipped back off her head as her chin-strap was too loose!!

the hat will not do its job properly if it is not done up tightly.

i think alot of younger people watch it too and think that they dont have to do hats up correctly.

what do you think??

 

[ThePony]

I do think it's silly, a loose hanging chin strap is just as much use as none! But none is usually against the rules, but done up is ok. Until those stewarding at those events request the rider correctly fits their hat (and has the back up of the event organisers to do this) then I think we will continue to see this. But (to play devils advocate), you can't be sure the hat hasn't been through 100s of falls, fits the rider correctly etc - so where do you draw the line? I'm afraid that so long as kitemarked hats are compulsory, it is up to those who take the risks to ensure that they fit and, should they fall, the hat and them won't part company (at best!), or at worst, won't ristrict their windpipe if they fall akwardly.

 

[wonkey_donkey]

I don't care really . . . . it's up to them surely !!

 

[fleabittengrey]

I don't care really . . . . it's up to them surely !!

True - but its clear that whatever the "in fashion" SJers are doing, countless kids and teenagers, and more persuadable adults, will copy!
A loose chinstap will probably cause more harm in the event of a fall than not having one atall - it is an absolute pet hate of mine. You see it quite a bit in the show ring, especially where show rules insist a strappd hat must be worn, the fashion (even on tiny kids!) is to have the strap as loose as is possible, god knows what this is to prove!

 

[Kokopelli]

I notice a lot of people like this and I think some people just don't know the hat isn't doing anything because the strap isn't tight enough.

I have noticed riders like Ellen Whitaker who have a a young fan base always wear there hat correctly and I don't recall Ellen taking it off very often.

 

[MagicMelon]

It is stupid, totally agree. At least they're wearing a hat (the vast majority dont in the practice ring or at home). It doesnt bother me as to their influence on young kids - their parents should make sure they are suitably hatted anyway, but it does annoy me people who choose not to wear a hat and then end up in an NHS hospital costing us a fortune and being a burden to their family.

 

[mole]

True - but its clear that whatever the "in fashion" SJers are doing, countless kids and teenagers, and more persuadable adults, will copy!
A loose chinstap will probably cause more harm in the event of a fall than not having one atall - it is an absolute pet hate of mine. You see it quite a bit in the show ring, especially where show rules insist a strappd hat must be worn, the fashion (even on tiny kids!) is to have the strap as loose as is possible, god knows what this is to prove!

im glad someone else agrees as its a pet hate of mine too! whats the point of wearing a hat if you dont do it up properly?!

I have noticed riders like Ellen Whitaker who have a a young fan base always wear there hat correctly and I don't recall Ellen taking it off very often.

i think that ellen is one of the worst offenders for having a loose chin strap!! especially with her fan base.