safety headgear for showing world

[MadBlackLab]

The FEI brought in new rules last January making it compulsory for safety headgear to be worn by all competitors when mounted at an event.
However, a major showing body’s announcement that hats with chinstraps would become compulsory has been met with such criticism from riders that it has been forced to reconsider its decision.
Is it time that the showing world came up to date with modern safety standards or should health and safety be a matter of personal choice?

 

[NooNoo59]

I have a really nice hat for showing that has a safety harness and is compliant with the latest standards. I wonder why people are so anti, I know it all looks very smart but you don't look so smart when your head is damaged. Show animals and dressage animals can also be high spirited and people do come off, only the other week I watched a young girl come off an animal that tripped and went down in front in a show class. The thing that really bugs me is people hunting with Pateys on, how is that in any way safe? Would you ride cross country in a Patey? no you wouldn't so why go hunting in one, tradition is great but sometimes we have to move with the times and if it makes you safer then is it not a good idea to do it. At the end of the day it is personal choice but if Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin are doing it then it must be good enough for the rest of us and especially as an example to all the youngsters which aspire and take part in our sport.

 

[MadBlackLab]

I have a really nice hat for showing that has a safety harness and is compliant with the latest standards. I wonder why people are so anti, I know it all looks very smart but you don't look so smart when your head is damaged. Show animals and dressage animals can also be high spirited and people do come off, only the other week I watched a young girl come off an animal that tripped and went down in front in a show class. The thing that really bugs me is people hunting with Pateys on, how is that in any way safe? Would you ride cross country in a Patey? no you wouldn't so why go hunting in one, tradition is great but sometimes we have to move with the times and if it makes you safer then is it not a good idea to do it. At the end of the day it is personal choice but if Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin are doing it then it must be good enough for the rest of us and especially as an example to all the youngsters which aspire and take part in our sport.

I agree with this. When I saw Charlotte ride in a safety helmet for Olympics I admired her for putting safety before appearance

 

[dogatemysalad]

I think they should wear what ever they want. It's debateable that anyone who bothers to wear a hat without a strap has enough brain cells to worry about.


As for Pateys without chin straps when hunting, it'd be funny if it didn't impact on the people who have to mop up the mess.