Opinions on this?

[QueenOfCadence]

So SANEF, South Africa's ruling equestrian body, has decided to change their ruling a bit so that riders in Prelim and Novice may ride in top hats. I'm boggled at WHY they've chosen to do this, but 100% shocked at it. To me it sounds hell dangerous to have Prelim and Novice (1 level) riders trumping around in top hats. What I want to know is if other countries have similar rules and your opinions on this (not trying to start a fight. I'm just interested into the general mindset)

 

[Arizahn]

I'll stick with my hard hat, thanks all the same! Never mind the dangers of riding, I can't be trusted around rug racks

 

[rhino]

It completely goes against what other national federations are doing. I don't think it has anything to do with level of rider though, there is always a risk.

Prelim and Novice (1 level) riders trumping around in top hats

Extremely unfair. I'd rather see someone riding well at Prelim or Novice than poorly at Elementary. Putting them all in the same boat of 'trumping around' is a fairly ignorant opinion.

 

[JFTDWS]

lol arizahn, my hay barn has a low roof. I have fewer head injuries in winter when it's cold and I keep my hat on after riding than in summer when I go in there hatless and *smack*

 

[ThePony]

Seems utter madness, the move here is towards more regulation and trying to keep peoples heads in one piece. Even at the very top our riders can be seen in 'proper' harnessed hats. If it is good enough for someone as talented and stylish as Charlotte - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ol.../London-2012-Olympics-Charlotte-Dujardin.html

 

[QueenOfCadence]

Extremely unfair. I'd rather see someone riding well at Prelim or Novice than poorly at Elementary. Putting them all in the same boat of 'trumping around' is a fairly ignorant opinion.

Fair enough but seeing as how our grading system works - which is completely different to the European system, most riders in Prelim/Novice are either very new to dressage themselves or are riding young horses. Riding without proper headgear is dangerous in GP, but allowing riders who don't necessarily have the same amount of experience or horse's schooled to be obedient is negligent in my opinion. I didn't mean to sound ignorant and I'm aware that some great riders are in Prelim/Novice (my instructor bringing up a green horse for one and my mother on her black beastie) - but along with the really good riders you get people who've only been riding for a year or two, it doesn't make them "bad" riders - just inexperienced

 

[Arizahn]

lol arizahn, my hay barn has a low roof. I have fewer head injuries in winter when it's cold and I keep my hat on after riding than in summer when I go in there hatless and *smack*

Lol, gave myself concussion once - the worst part was that the rug was hanging up at the time and I still walked into it!

I still think dressage should have its own sort of hard hat. Doesn't matter how good a rider you are, or how well schooled the horse - ain't nobody training the hornets not to sting!

 

[rhino]

I don't think it has anything to do with level of rider though, there is always a risk.

You only have to look at Courtney King Dye...

 

[Blitzen]

I don't see how I'm more likely to fall off my cob whilst literally trumping round (little cob farts when she is excited) doing Prelim, than someone on a hot warmblood doing Medium? I have a nice sticky seat, developed and honed by tackling most things out hunting! I can stay on almost anything, but it won't look pretty!
Its beside the point really, I value my bonce too much to care whether I look fancy or not (there's no point anyway, a top hat can only do so much - it would be like sprinkling glitter on a dog turd). I really admire Charlotte Dujardin for setting a good example =D