In search on a new dressage competition hat - whats the choices?

F

Fifty Bales of Hay

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 February 2006
Messages
567
Location
Staffordshire
Visit site
I am looking for a new dressage competition hat to compete in affiliated dressage.

Do I go for "Bling"? Or someone said no bling is out, you need "Shiny"?

And that definitely any show style velvet hat is now never seen out affiliated competing so thats a no no?

With the new rulings coming into force it does have to be PAS015 or not just BSEN or I will be having to replace it again next year.

What are you all wearing?
 
Something thats safe and comfortable and I ignore the trends because they change so fast. for me depending on the likelyhood of an explosion or not a crash hat or a velvet hat as i do not like bling or shiny ones or find them as comfortable :)
 
My daughter wears a KEP for competitions, they meet the new safety requirements and although they aren't cheap, (from memory about £350 upwards depending on what you choose) there's a huge range of bling/shiny/croc/colours. They are lovely and light, so cool in the summer and you can replace or wash the liners if you do get hot and sweaty :-)
 
I'm C&O through and through - I ride in a C&O skull cap day to day and have a Ayr8 for comps. The C&O are the only ones I find truly comfy, and they are a dam site more reasonable £££-wise than many of the more "trendy" brands ;)
 
I love my plush velvet Charles Owen Hampton - I don't care for the diamanté or shiny type of hats. I dont care if I'm fashionable or not, never been one to follow the crowd lol
 
Under-the-radar said:
I'm C&O through and through - I ride in a C&O skull cap day to day and have a Ayr8 for comps. The C&O are the only ones I find truly comfy, and they are a dam site more reasonable £££-wise than many of the more "trendy" brands ;)
Click to expand...

Same! Love Charles Owens, I'm about to order another AYR8 for comps as my comp hat seems to have become my 'home' hat, and the J3 has been relegated to a jumping hat :p.
 
I have the leather look Ayr8, it is the comfiest hat i've ever had. Originally bought it for comps but just wear it all the time now and might buy another for best this summer
 
Thank you all. The Charles Owen hats I know will suit my head shape, but would need to try any other makes on to be sure.

The leather look AYR 8 looks really smart and I have found you can customise it too, so it's going to be a bit different from anyone elses which is better I think.

KEP are a bit out of price range, nice hats, but not at the moment for me.

I agree with those that don't change with the latest trends too, as the latest trends can change too quickly. We should really go for what "we" like as long as its the current safety standards and confirms with competition rulings.

Its nice to have a change sometimes though and I seem to have worn the same hat for many years so time for a change I think.
 
I've just bought the AYR8 in a midnight blue with a bit of shiny bling to wear with new navy Pikeur jacket. I have replaced my black Fiona which i've had for a while but which will be illegal in 2016 as it's not PAS015.
 
No, it's a bog standard one not leather look, more a sueded effect not as plush as velvet. There is a silver central panel which is covered by the same fabric but with a mes effect so the silver shows through and a small silver badge on the front. I felt it was modern but not over showy as I don't like too much bling. It's also (at least for me) a flattering shape and wasn't wildly expensive. I got mine at Badminton from Townfieldss (think that's what it's called)
 
I have just got a Samshield Shadowmatt for eventing. Absolutely love it! It is the first vented hat that I have tried where I can actually feel the air moving through it. No longer get a horrible sweaty head when riding and they don't press on you forehead so no hairnet line or hat marks either! Would swap it for anything else. They can also be customised so can be as conservative or blingy as you want.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top