Should it be compulsory?

What type of horse are they?

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Tiffany

Tiffany

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for all riders to wear hard hats when working in at competitions?

Thought about it after seeing photos from Dressage at Hickstead posted by Painted Lucky in Picture Gallery

Would also be interested in your reasons - pure curiosty on my part.

Also in CR

Thanks
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I think yes because a hat offers some protection if the rider were to get thrown or fall. I also think it's a good example to younger riders who won't have the same experience and stickability.
 
I actually thought that it was compulsory - as part of any Health & Safety requirements of any equestrian venue in the UK.
 
In theory Rider Choice, but I would have thought it was already compulsary, or at least should be, due to insurance etc?
 
IN theory Rider choice yes, but the organisers would still have to deal with, and bear the brunt of the publicity of any accident were it to happen.
 
I think at some venues it is (due to insurance etc - I know at the ones here it is anyway), even though we are allowed to warm up in beaglers/top hats - thats the bit I don't fully understand, but I do understand wearing a hat whilst mounted etc at shows
 
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I actually thought that it was compulsory - as part of any Health & Safety requirements of any equestrian venue in the UK.

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I would have thought so too but at Hickstead there were quite a number of riders (inc top riders) without hard hats so, it mustn't be?
 
I think it should be compulsory - rather than the first aid team helping someone who had an accident who was silly and irresponsible enough not to wear a hard hat rather than someone who was.

Although as Hellspells said - I don't understand the beagler/top hat bit either - although I am guilty of wearing one when competing.
 
I'm with Rehodnett22 on this. I feel the same way about this as I do about seat belts. In theory, it is nice to state "freedom of choice" but, in practice, any injuries sustained directly as a result of not wearing a hat are also the choice of the rider and I would hate to think that anyone who was injured through no fault of their own would lose out on medical attention or a hospital bed that was being taken up by someone who was there through their own action/inaction.
 
(surely riders choice, and no are the same thing? maybe I'm not thinking right)

Honestly, I have had more falls, spooks, and napping in the actual arena, wearing a top hat, or at best a beagler, which offer very little protection. If I don't wear a hat to school or work in at home, why should I at a competiton?

Also, when it comes to higher level dressage, where you must wear a top hat, you are generally (or me, anyway) so stressed out and focused on the horse that I doubt I would remember to change my hat.
 
I think it should. As Tiffany said, experienced riders may have the experience and stickability not to worry about falling off, but they are setting an example for younger, less experienced riders. Besides which, no matter how experienced you are you can always be taken by surprise and end up coming off. It's such a simple thing to do, putting a proper hat on, and it could save so many people from injuries or even death.
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Definitely think it should.Must admit not into riders choice thing about that because if serious head injury we are all paying for that(NHS).
Could say you wouldn't sue venue but when reality of a serious head injury hits(cost of living/cost of adaptation to home if needed/cost of care etc)might mean a totally different thing.
 
at competitions - compulsory because you don't know what your or anyone elses horse is going to do - you could be on the ground tightening a girth or a boot and get belted by someone elses horse being a fool.

at home - riders choice.
 
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(surely riders choice, and no are the same thing? maybe I'm not thinking right)

Honestly, I have had more falls, spooks, and napping in the actual arena, wearing a top hat, or at best a beagler, which offer very little protection. If I don't wear a hat to school or work in at home, why should I at a competiton?

Also, when it comes to higher level dressage, where you must wear a top hat, you are generally (or me, anyway) so stressed out and focused on the horse that I doubt I would remember to change my hat.

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I see what you mean but I dont think they are the same because you might not want it to be compulsory but it may be at certain venues for insurance purposes - if that makes sense.

Riders choice would mean it was riders choice no matter what.

IMO, I think it should be compulsory full stop when on a horse whether at home, hacking or competing. The reason I say that is, if god forbid you had a fall and landed on your head there's more chance it would result in a head injury without a hat than with one and prevention is better than cure.
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Presume a top hat or beagler is designed to sit pretty tight providing it's fitted correctly?
 
It is true that we live in a democracy and we should have the choice, but surely if people who aren't going to fall/be thrown from their horse stop wearing helmets, then the people who are loonies and will fall will also stop wearing them? Is there really anything to gain from NOT wearing a helmet?
 
but what about the top hats that these riders compete in. They don't offer them any protection, so should they be competing in a hard hat?
 
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but what about the top hats that these riders compete in. They don't offer them any protection, so should they be competing in a hard hat?

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maybe they should? there is nothing to gain from not wearing one and i'm pretty sure they will all have one at home!
 
I think it should be because alot of young children will go to watch. I'm sorry but what is the point in not wearing your hat? It doesn't affect your position like a body protector can and is hardly awkward to put on? It might be rider's choice but the NHS don't get a choice about the money it must cost to treat people who don't wear a hat and I wouldn't do that to my family.
 
I think it should be compulsary to be honest. As others have stated, the health service has no option but to treat all those who come through the doors and if someone has an injury because they chose not to wear a hat then we have to treat them just the same as someone who has had full protection but fallen off.

Riders know the risks and how to reduce them
 
I'm surprised it isn't compulsary at competitions for insurance / liability purposes. I was also amazed at all the riders unfastening hat straps at Hickstead as soon as they had finished their rounds. You'd think that at £300 or so hat (as most of those GPA ones are) the strap would be comfortable?????
 
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Rider choice IMO - we live in a democracy not a dictatorship.

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Not in public.It sets a bad example,Its a bit like a teacher walking into a class of children ,and lighting a cigarette!
 
I always think they often look like they just want something to do with their hands when they undo the strap! They're walking out the arena with everyones eyes and cameras on them, and start fiddling
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I'd probably do the same!
 
Rider choice. The head injury / healthcare argument isn't really valid IMO.

Why shouldn't the health services deal with preventable head injuries? They deal with heart and lung problems caused by smoking, they deal with all the health issues caused by obesity, they deal with the injuries and health problems caused by people who go out and get p!ssed every weekend..........
 
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