What did you think of Charlotte not wearing top hat?

pip6

pip6

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Personally, I was chuffed to see the top scoring GB rider not wearing a top hat but opting for safety instead. It didn't make her less elegent in the way she rode, did not loose her marks or affect the horses performance. Given the electric nature of that arena (yes I have been there to watch the olympics), it must be sensible to accept there is the potential for a fall even though working at this level.

As a rider who always wears a hat, & hate seeing riders without them because they 'do dressage' at whatever level, I thought this was a fantastic role model for youngsters in the sport. It shows you don't have to pose in a topper to win or look sensational. People were watching her & the horse, not what she had on her head. Hope she wins the individual, brilliant combination.
 
I totally agree, I actually think it made her look more modern and fresh. Brilliant role model for everyone in the sport! I hate seeing people ride without hats - the only time I haven't worn one was the other week, when I actually got on and didn't realise til I thought 'gosh my heads cold!!'
 
I thought it was very sensible - given the atmosphere and the whole set up, the horses could easily be more on their toes. It didn't detract from the overall picture and sets a brilliant example to other riders.

I cannot understand why anyone would want to risk riding without a hat, the consequences of an accident could be catatrostrophic for both rider and their family
 
TBH I was sorry there weren't more of them opting for safe headgear, and as others have said it in no way detracted from her performance - I think she looks very stylish in it :)
 
Aesthetically = I prefer Top hats and gives IMO an extra air of finesse.

Yet what you wear on your head does not detract from the way your ride and
she rode Beautiful!
 
The top hats are aesthetically much more pleasing. But having a head injury would not be pretty at all, so I think she is a very wise young woman. And what an amazingly cool, calm and talented rider. Love her name, too, especially as she's from Enfield!
 
Safety first!

We only have one head, one brain and it only takes a split second for things to go wrong, so well done that girl for setting a very good clear example.
 
She is a Charles Owen rider but the arrangement is irrelevant; she wears a helmet because she chooses to. Purely aside from that, Olympic rules for sponsored gear are incredibly strict, which is part of the reason you don't see the usual logos across riders' colours, jackets and saddlecloths.
 
She was smart, elegantly dressed & most of all safer than anyone else. I like tradition but sometimes things do need to change & this is one of those things. She was in no way penalised for wearing the hat & I think she right in what she did. Hopefully more willmake this decision regarding head gear.
 
Having point blank refused to put my chin strap down as a youngster as soon as my mother's back was turned because 'none of the top riders did', what an outstanding example it must be for kids to see one of the prettiest and most talented riders in the world wear a helmet to ride on the flat. I too adore the top hat for it's elegance but the more that follow Charlotte's lead the better. (can't believe I sound like my Mum and I yes, I now always wear a properly secured hat!)
 
Good for her and hopefully it will encourage more riders to wear hats generally and do them up- they aren't much good undone! However at the risk of being shot down here I do think the traditional top hats look much better but in an arena like that and that size where anything could happen I can't say I blame her!
 
She looked brilliant, and sets a fantastic example! I think she looked modern and sporty - whilst the top hats look very elegant and "posh". Maybe the image of dressage needs a bit of an update?
 
I prefer the look of a top hat but leave it up to the individual to choose what they are happy in.

What did wind me up however was those doing their lap on honour without their hat straps fastened, or charging around carrying their hats. A very bad example to be setting to young impressionable fans. But then I accept that I'm a middle aged grinch :p
 
If you take into account how young and relatively 'new ' she is to the dressage scene i think it was a brave choice to make but one that i totally support. Good for her for putting her safety before tradition!!
And while the toppers may look nice did you see the marks on all the riders foreheads when they took them off? they can't be very comfortable as well as being as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike on the safety aspect!
 
I admire her making a statement about safety coming first, but I do personally prefer to watch them ride dressage in top hats as it looks beautiful. I shall never get to a level of competition where no-hattedness could ever be an option anyway, so doesn't affect me really as a rider.
 
I think she looked great, well done her. The Canadian rider who was disqualified proved that just because dressage horses are supposed to stay on the ground, the atmosphere can get to them.
 
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