Why do people wear their silk pushed back on a skull cap ??

[Notimetoride]

Its not a new thing, and I used to think 'back in the day' that jockeys and top level eventers wore them like that because they blew backward with the speed, but I see loads of aspiring eventers who barely break out of trot, with the silk pushed right back showing an expensive logo on helmet. So, it is a status symbol / fashion statement, or does it serve a purpose ? I wore a skull cap back in the 80s (nice white one) but always wore the silk pulled down so as not to look like an egg-head !

 

[Hippona]

Personally....because the silk that came with my skull cap fits that way.....

 

[LeannePip]

because my hat silk is too small for my hat! :L

and when they are bigger and pulled right down they get a bit floppy and i don't want it flopping in my face

also im an aspiring eventer :L

 

[kassieg]

speak as a hs1 owner you have to get a smaller silk so that it doesn't blow off (Although I have still bandage taped mine on !! ) so that is just the way it sits on the hat

 

[Jo1987]

I don't like being able to see the peak of the silk on mine - it's only up about an inch though.
I'm not an aspiring eventer, I have a cob who thinks he's great at jumping, but always hits poles with his knees.

 

[Notimetoride]

Ah - it had crossed my mind that maybe they made them that way now (I haven't looked closely at one for years)
Im sure I havent seen anyone in recent years wear a silk pulled down over the front like they used to. Oh crikey, i think Im actually showing my age now :-o

 

[LeannePip]

i think it is evidently more popular with the eventing fraternity because for one phase you have to wear a skull cap - and HS1's are very popular in that field; you've paid good money for a silver hat not to have it covered up by some cheap lycra, so by having half your hat on show, your just getting your monies worth :L my mum is forever getting me to pull mine down

 

[Greylegs]

speak as a hs1 owner you have to get a smaller silk so that it doesn't blow off (Although I have still bandage taped mine on !! ) so that is just the way it sits on the hat

Me too. That's just the way they fit. Def no "eventer" aspirations here. Not sure the hairy highland is up to it.!!

 

[Hoof_Prints]

That's how the silk fits on mine! it wouldn't cover the front, it also has a pretty diamond logo too. (charles owen 4star) nothing wrong with it looking pretty!

 

[Hippona]

I'm def no aspiring eventer either, we go around rather than over

Ps...mines gold and pretty

 

[MyDogIsAnIdiot]

The silk that came with my CO helmet fits like that - it's not long/stretchy enough to reach to the brim of the hat.

I am an aspiring eventer but am too much a wuss to get very far.

 

[Theocat]

Fashion, innit

FWIW I have a Charles Owen jockey skull and I have never had a prob getting a silk to fit ... Even the one it came with

 

[Slightlyconfused]

That's how the silk fits on mine! it wouldn't cover the front, it also has a pretty diamond logo too. (charles owen 4star) nothing wrong with it looking pretty!

This, only mines the pro vent one. It doesn't come as far down as they used to.

 

[Mike007]

Silks are worn like this by Jockeys because when you are on a galloping horse it helps to see where you are going .The peak would block ones vision . Similarly eventers need to be able to have unrestricted vision and be able to glance up at the next part of a combination etc. Jockeys also generaly have racing goggles and it is easier to have them up on the brow of the hat ,when not required. The use of a strong elastic band ,is the time honored way of keeping the silk on the helmet. It probably makes me a hat snob ,but nothing screams out "beginner" more to me than a silk pulled right down over the hat.(except possibly sticking your whip in your boot)

 

[Honey08]

I've managed to event for the past 25 years with my silk pulled down and see quite easily without the peak blocking any vision! Why would it block vision? Your head looks where it needs to, a pulled down peak is level, not over your eyes.. I might be a hat snob too, but stuck up peaks make me think "all the gear..etc".

However at the end of the day it doesn't really matter how you wear it!

 

[LeannePip]

Silks are worn like this by Jockeys because when you are on a galloping horse it helps to see where you are going .The peak would block ones vision . Similarly eventers need to be able to have unrestricted vision and be able to glance up at the next part of a combination etc. Jockeys also generaly have racing goggles and it is easier to have them up on the brow of the hat ,when not required. The use of a strong elastic band ,is the time honored way of keeping the silk on the helmet. It probably makes me a hat snob ,but nothing screams out "beginner" more to me than a silk pulled right down over the hat.(except possibly sticking your whip in your boot)

i'm glad you said this, i was thinking it but didn't want to write it down - I'm quite appalled at myself for thinking this - especially as i probably often look 'all the gear . . ' with my silk pulled up and my horses is being a tit and won't leave the start box!

going back through my photos to find the point at which i started doing this!

 

[Mike007]

I've managed to event for the past 25 years with my silk pulled down and see quite easily without the peak blocking any vision! Why would it block vision? Your head looks where it needs to, a pulled down peak is level, not over your eyes.. I might be a hat snob too, but stuck up peaks make me think "all the gear..etc".

However at the end of the day it doesn't really matter how you wear it!

You ask "why would it block vision" .The answer is that the further forward you lean ,the further back you have to tilt your head in order to see . Therefore if you can see the peak of your silk ,it is blocking your vision.

 

[MissMistletoe]

Never thought about this until reading this post!
Looking back at photos in the 80's my silks were the type that were secured with that drawstring strap that was tied in a bow above the peak and the peak was always down.

However! Enter the 90's and the elasticated pull on silks of the velvet type were worn by me, with the peak up!

I think it just naturally wants to be in the pulled back position as you try to force it onto the skull cap (normally slightly lop sided too!)

 

[Paint Me Proud]

(except possibly sticking your whip in your boot)

what's wrong with sticking your whip in your boot? It's a very handy place to keep your whip while you're not using it!

As for the skull cap, I have the front of mine pulled up slightly, basically because when i pull the back down to make sure it stays on the front tips up.

 

[Spring Feather]

Silks are worn like this by Jockeys because when you are on a galloping horse it helps to see where you are going .The peak would block ones vision . Similarly eventers need to be able to have unrestricted vision and be able to glance up at the next part of a combination etc. Jockeys also generaly have racing goggles and it is easier to have them up on the brow of the hat ,when not required. The use of a strong elastic band ,is the time honored way of keeping the silk on the helmet. It probably makes me a hat snob ,but nothing screams out "beginner" more to me than a silk pulled right down over the hat.(except possibly sticking your whip in your boot)

This ^^

I don't wear my skull caps much at the moment but back in the 80s and 90s all of my silks were back, partly for the reasons above but mainly because that's how they fitted.

 

[Fun Times]

I am an aspiring eventer, but pull my silk right down (very cheapo skull cap underneath) AND not once have I not been able to see where I am going due to the peak. The fact my eyes are shut from start gate to water jump (open them then to check depth as can't swim) has definitely hindered the view once or twice mind.

 

[Notimetoride]

So I wonder how showjumpers manage? They tackle some pretty hair raising obstacles yet their choice of headwear seem to have fixed peaks. I know they dont gallop across country, but at some outdoor venues (eg International arena at Hickstead) they do cover some ground and of course have to tackle the Derby Bank etc etc. Just wondering, thats all (too much time on my hands over Xmas hols perhaps)

 

[dollyanna]

I have a HS1 but always have my silk pulled down, I hate them sitting up in the air and that to me suggests "all the gear and no idea" because it suggests amateurs just copying what they see!! I remember buying my new hat and being told to push my silk up by a well known equestrian up here, but she is something of a snob at times and there is no way I am wearing my hat like that just because of fashion!! Silks were designed to cover hats, so cover my hat it will! :-D :-D

 

[Spring Feather]

So I wonder how showjumpers manage? They tackle some pretty hair raising obstacles yet their choice of headwear seem to have fixed peaks. I know they dont gallop across country, but at some outdoor venues (eg International arena at Hickstead) they do cover some ground and of course have to tackle the Derby Bank etc etc. Just wondering, thats all (too much time on my hands over Xmas hols perhaps)

You sit upright when sjing, you ride two-point when xc eventing.

 

[Fjord]

If you need to keep the peak right out of the way, what's the point of wearing a silk at all?

 

[Paint Me Proud]

i dont think 'all the gear no idea' i think, 'oh there is someone else who also finds that the silk doesnt quite fit down far enough too' - i pull mine down all the time but it just springs back up, its really annoying but i have resigned myself to it just being up, at the end of the day what difference does it make, if i fall off my hat may still save my life even if my silk doesnt please everyone.

 

[Dave's Mam]

Silks are worn like this by Jockeys because when you are on a galloping horse it helps to see where you are going .The peak would block ones vision . Similarly eventers need to be able to have unrestricted vision and be able to glance up at the next part of a combination etc. Jockeys also generaly have racing goggles and it is easier to have them up on the brow of the hat ,when not required. The use of a strong elastic band ,is the time honored way of keeping the silk on the helmet. It probably makes me a hat snob ,but nothing screams out "beginner" more to me than a silk pulled right down over the hat.(except possibly sticking your whip in your boot)

My silk covers my hat, but I am far from a beginner. I just don't event.

 

[Notimetoride]

A few people have mentioned that it doesn't matter. I really cant agree more. Of course it doesn't matter - as long as were all wearing our safetywear. Its just a dark winter night and just having a discussion about an observation. Roll on summer hey ;-)

 

[Dave's Mam]

Yes. bring on summer. I'm grouchy. Don't judge me by the angle of my silk.

 

[Scarlett]

Because in half seat the peak gets in the way and blocks my vision when trying to look up. Same reason I dont wear a fixed peak when doing canter work/jumping.