Goodbye to beaglers[BD]

[HammieHamlet]

It's funny, as I have noticed over the last 6 months that in H&H on the dressage reports section, more and more people are riding their tests with proper hats on, as opposed to the beaglers.

It seems to me the message is starting to sink in, and that despite how much better a beagler may look, people are becoming more safety conscious and thinking with their heads It's the same way that smoking was changed round from being something fashionable and trendy, to something now that makes you feel like an outcast! Same with seat belts too....

It's not about freedom of choice, as the knock on effects of having a head injury aren't isolated to just the person, but to the NHS / families around them etc. Yes, maybe ride how you want to ride on your own land, but in public, the perception is changing and it's starting to be, and will become no longer acceptable.

 

[millitiger]

Its about time this was implemented IMO, shame it is not right up to GP level but I am sure that will only be a few years.

 

[Hedgewitch13]

I can't believe people would rather look 'nice' than be safe in a properly harnessed hat! I mean seriously??

 

[Booboos]

I am all for freedom of choice, but that includes the choice not to compete under an organisation whose rules you do not agree with! Freedom of choice extends to personal matters, not to what you do under the care of others. BD and similar organisations have a duty of care towards their members and have to make rules with that in mind. Imagine if BD imposed a rule that resulted in many accidents, shouldn't they be held responsible? Furthermore BD, as a public body representing the sport, has a responsibility for how it presents the sport and the kind of example it sets to others, especially children.

As for hats across the board, I think this is just a practical issue and will come in time. It is easier to introduce change on a contentious subject one step at a time, rather than all at once, even if it is not as rationally consistent.

 

[VGM]

i have never bought a beagler as to me id rather spend the £400 on a three day entry fee i say £400 because i think patey are for want of a better word the safest of the non harnessed hats as someone else said its not that your horse might explode or you are less competent more the trip the horse fly the wasp the bolting loose horse the balloon a child lets go you get the picture

 

[lex2501]

Does anyone know if anything in particular has instigated this? Any recent accidents or research etc?

I personally enjoy wearing my beagler and will be sad not to. I fully understand that they do not offer the protection that a hat with a harness does so I wouldn't use it when riding anything other than a horse I know and trust. Before you all jump on me I know that accidents can happen on the safest of mounts - but this is a risk I am willing to take. Accidents happen when crossing the road!

Each to their own I guess...!

 

[Booboos]

I would imagine the Courtney King accident and subsequent campaign in the US might have had an impact?

 

[LBertie Wooster]

I'm pretty pleased to see this being brought in and I echo millitiger about it not being upto GP level.
I've never been a fan of them as I think they look pretty horrid tbh and having ridden several nutters at the little age i am and having a horse that has its 'moments' I'm quite happy riding in the skull cap and don't plan on having a beagler. My friend says she only uses them because they look 'pretty and more profesional' and nothing more. I wasn't going to argue because she's 19 annd im 14, she's an adult and has her own choices to make. If she wants to put her head at risk, be it on her head....

 

[Nic]

Think you could be right there.... give it ten years and it'll be full face crash helmets.... anyone fancy joining me in designing one?!

One of the Euro young riders at Blair 08 had one on. Looked like a motorbike helmet. Can't remember what country she was but the helmet was pink.

Also I think someone was given permission by BE/FEI to ride in one after facial surgery. But I may have dreamed that, or it may have been the above Young Rider.

 

[georgiegirl]

Think you could be right there.... give it ten years and it'll be full face crash helmets.... anyone fancy joining me in designing one?!

funnily enough I saw a girl at the pony europeans wearing a full face helmet on the xc last year at bishop burton?

 

[Saratoga]

I am all for freedom of choice. Those that want to wear a fully harnessed hat can do so, those that want to wear a beagler hat can do so.

I already have a gripe about the fact I had to buy white gloves, and now don't have to wear them. Now I have to go out and buy another hat. I'm obviously made of money.

 

[Tempi]

Ive not read the replies but i do think that people should be allowed to make their own choice and not be dictated too.

I actually used to ride without a hat and competed in a beagler. Then as some of you know I had a nasty fall a month ago where my hat pretty much saved my life. I would now never ever dream of riding without a hat on and have actually already got myself a navy Uvex for competing in next year. They look just as smart and i only have one head/life......

 

[flyingfeet]

For those wanting to know what happened to freedom of choice - someone sued it and insurance companies had to pay out!!

Therefore I am not surprised, as if I was offering insurance to these bodies I'd probably want the competitors in approved hats.

Sign of the times, but on the bright side hopefully someone will start making more attractive hats.

 

[misswitch2]

I know that it's as useful as a chocolate teapot, but i will miss my beagler

I did buy a charles owen H2000 which looks like a beagler with straps and better safety standard, and it does look smart though tbh

 

[FigJam]

I think I must be one of the very few who don't actually like the look of beaglers?! Just my opinion of course (and I am no fashionista, so well aware I'll be in the minority! ), but they just look too tall and out of proportion to me!

If I were to buy a hat purely for DR/SJ (rather than just relegating my old skull cap to a full-time black silk now that I've bought a new hat and won't have to swap between black/XC colours between phases!), I'd opt for a nice velvet one with flesh coloured harness (like the CO showjumper or similar) or possibly something a little funkier but not too bling (like the CO Ayr-8 or similar).

Be interesting to see if top hats are made redundant in the future... should we have a HHO sweepstake on when this will be?!

 

[Haniki]

Jancey Wembridge rode in a team chase, wearing what looked like a motor bike helmet after having facial surgery after a fall. It wasn't legal for BE though.

 

[dressage_diva]

Great news in my opinion - even the best riders can fall off when their horse trips (look at Courtney King-Dye!). I truly hope one day it's compulsory at GP too - I've always said, if (and it's a big if!) I get to GP level I'd wear a crash hat. Agree with FigHam that brackets are ugly and their are some much nicer looking crash hats out there (eg. KEP). There are also plenty of comfy/cool hats out there now - I love my Uvec hat for schooling in!

 

[dressage_diva]

Damn iPhone auto correct...meant beaglers not brackets (and FigJam not FigHam!).

 

[WoodfordFox]

Shout me down, but I'm with FigJam - I just think Beaglers look really old fashioned!

PS - is there a rule change re. gloves too? My lovely 'white' leather gloves are now a not-so lovely shade of grey...

 

[Nic]

Jancey Wembridge rode in a team chase, wearing what looked like a motor bike helmet after having facial surgery after a fall. It wasn't legal for BE though.

That's what I was thinking of thank you. But there was a full face helmet at Blair 08 YR too.

 

[soulfull]

As a Medic at some of these events I obviously agree with the new rule BUT it should be across the board!!
It is not just yourself you put at risk, its the NHS and your family.

As we know it is already a dangerous sport (even dressage) and it is up to each of us to do as much as we can to protect ourselves

I had similar dilemma this last week I wanted a new hat to replace my ventair. I really like the posh ones with all the vents. (as I get off looking like I just washed my hair)

However the medic in me was screaming it wasn't the safest hat, and as much as I wanted it, I just could not buy it.

Despite the obvious discomfort I will suffer from over heating I ended up buying the Pro tector as too me it offers much better protection, which I feel I owe to my family if not myself.

So until someone actually finds a way to make a hat with REAL vents at PAS or better still SNELL standards I will have to boil

I think we all need to be more responsible about safety not what looks nice.

 

[georgiegirl]

not the clearest of shots but here is one of the full faced helmets I saw at the pony europeans last year. Never seen anything like it before.....

http://www.everybodysmile.biz/cgi-bin/public.cgi?form_status=order_image&img=slide_13054{e._Cross_Country_camera_3.jpg&anc=p34_0003_es&ss=67&imgcat=e._Cross_Country_camera_3

I hope to god BE never bring these in they look terrifying!

 

[Helbert]

Point 1 - I think it was always inevitable following some high profile accidents (Courtney being the big one) and undoubtably BE will follow suit. BTW anyone see the awesome pic of Mary Kings crash at the Euros in H&H today (2nd pg)....? phew from the look on her face, she new that one was gonna hurt.
Point 2 - Having enjoyed dressage for a while and spent years being dragged jumping by my sister, I can honestly say I have seen more and more 'nuts' dressage horses explode in the arena than showjumpers.
I got a Charles Owen Showjumper (mainly as I own one of those temperamental nut job 'dressage' horses). And I have had a few people comment on my hat that it looks nice and smart. I have always worn hats with chin straps as although I sometimes think I am the best rider in the world, my horses doesn't always agree and he likes to show me up.
Though I do wear jeans when I ride at home, so just call me a hypocrit.

 

[JFTDWS]

It is not just yourself you put at risk, its the NHS and your family.

On a pedantic point, it doesn't put the NHS at risk. It might be costly for the NHS if you injure yourself, it might even inconvenience them, but it is unlikely to put the NHS at "risk"

I'm in the "personal choice" group. Other sports and activities result in greater cost to the NHS - smokers, alcoholics, drug addicts are more of an inconvenience to the NHS then the occasional rider trying to kill themselves (jokes) by wearing a beagler.

 

[Cortez]

Oh FGS! It's all about personal choice. Health and Safety is the ugly child of the insurance companies and doesn't actually make you healthy or safe, probably less so as people rely on their equipment rather than their riding. Does anybody know what the riding-related accident statistics are for somewhere like Germany where most people ride without a hat? Bet they're no worse!

 

[SplashofSoy]

I hate the blame culture and health and safety gone bonkers which restrict you from doing things, whatever happened to common sense, but if something was going to make you safer without inpeeding your ability to do the thing you want and enjoy it then shouldnt it be a good idea for a sports governing body or just yourself to choose things that make you safer (or should i say more protected). Not being able to wear a beagler is not going to affect your performance or enjoyment and it is a sensible precaution to wear a hat. I wouldnt ride a motorbike withouth leathers/helmet same as i wouldnt ride a horse without a proper hat.

 

[welshone]

Well I for one will miss wearing my beagler, sorry but I think it looks smarter.

I agree, looks much smarter, will have to go out and buy a new hat now as don't have one suitable for BD!

 

[Tangaroo]

Well i have to admit it really doesnt bother me as i wear a hat with a harness every time i get on a horse. I know people say dressage isnt as dangerous as jumping therefore the chances of coming off are less, but i have three friends who have all broken their backs whilst schooling in an arena! One of these friends still rides without a hat whilst schooling even after such a bad fall! Have to admit i did voice my opinion when i saw her doing this one day, reminding her that she has a 14yr old daughter who needs a mother and that she was being very selfish!
Each to their own is suppose

 

[not_with_it]

I think we should still have a choice. The majority of people are sensible enough to make their own decisions.

I used to wear a beagler (I only say used to as my horse was injured and Ive not been out since). I never felt unsafe and think it looked really smart.
I have had my horse for nearly 10 years and I know her inside out. Yes, she is an unpredictable animal but I like to think I am a decent rider and can stick to her.
I know people who have been out and bought advanced horses to compete on. They are on a new horse in a new environment yet they can wear a beagler. It doesnt make them a better rider just because they have the money to buy a ready made horse.

What next? BP's compulsory.

I for one will not be buying a new hat. I will compete in my everyday champion that is starting to look a bit rough round the edges. Unfortunately I am not made of money and with the cost of everything rising I just cannot justify spending money on a new smart hat when I have a perfectly servicable one at home.

 

[Booboos]

Oh FGS! It's all about personal choice. Health and Safety is the ugly child of the insurance companies and doesn't actually make you healthy or safe, probably less so as people rely on their equipment rather than their riding. Does anybody know what the riding-related accident statistics are for somewhere like Germany where most people ride without a hat? Bet they're no worse!

If you do the simplest search on Google scholar you will find a large number of studies showing that the predominant injuries in horse related accidents are to the head and the best safety measure to reduce their severity or even prevent them entirely is to wear a hat.

Just because something is a matter of personal choice doesn't mean that it's justifiable for the choice to be made in complete ignorance. Insurance companies have little or nothing to do with the move to wear hats, for example you can get professional insurance as a vet or farrier and personal injury insurance as a rider with no requirement to wear a hat. The move to wear hats in riding was spearheaded by medics who saw the number and types of injuries caused by the sport.