While not a nation wide known big name western rider, my friend competes at world level Team Penning/Ranch Sorting and is a major western helmet advocate.
http://www.riders4helmets.com/2013/01/speaker-profile-kathy-slack/
http://phoenixperformance.com/tipperary/kathy-slack/
I really hope the helmet trend continues in the western world. Makes me really upset to hear people pick on you and your daughter for making a smart safety choice…
I am a western rider. You can call me ignorant for asking this question, but what about this is freak-worthy?
This adult also told her to loop her barrel reins over the horn while riding the pony at the walk. I freaked. Do people really do that?
I do this all the time when standing still waiting for my next class, and if we are walking along and I need to adjust something, I will just set the reins behind the horn (one piece rein, I think that is what you mean when you say barrel reins?) so they don’t slide down the neck, and then when I’m done, I pick them back up again.
ETA: any adult who picks on her for wearing a helmet though, that is freak-worthy. Adults can make those choices for themselves; I believe all children should be made to wear helmets, regardless of discipline.
[QUOTE=paulaedwina;7072474]
Here’s the thing; look at bull riders. There was a time when nobody wore vests. Everybody wears vests now. Maybe you can point that out while trying to show her being a pioneer can be a good thing. Bull riders are pretty bad assed and they wear the safety vest. Somebody had to be first.
Paula[/QUOTE]
Many of them also wear helmets. I was very sad when JB Mauney decided to go back to the hat this year. He’s been lucky so far.
As far as OP’s daughter: does she have access to a computer at camp? If so, I suggest she offer to bring up Courtney King Dye’s blog and let them read it. Or listen to a few of her videos. If she buys into your belief in helmets, I think it would be more impressive for her to tell the nay-sayers that she & you have discussed it, she understands the reason because she knows people who have TBIs, and it is HER decision to wear the helmet whether you’re watching her or not. (because I bet that argument has come up)
Tell her to keep strong. ANYONE can be a follower - it takes a strong, intelligent person to be a leader.
Where did all those GPAs with the wide solid crystal stripes go? I bet if someone made up a tan or light gray helmet with enough bling, it would be ooooh’d and aaah’d over in a western class.
[QUOTE=Plumcreek;7076840]
Where did all those GPAs with the wide solid crystal stripes go? I bet if someone made up a tan or light gray helmet with enough bling, it would be ooooh’d and aaah’d over in a western class.[/QUOTE]
I’m sure you mean this in the right spirit, but this comment offends me a bit. I spent a year working at a top level reining barn, and during that time I talked to a lot of competitors and trainers about what they would be looking for in a helmet, and the biggest thing they all said is that they don’t want bling. The last thing most competitive reiners and cutters that I talked to want is something that will bring attention to their head, it’s why most hats are in neutral colors that often match their chaps.
In terms of OPs DD, placing mom as the scapegoat is probably the best option for her. I am 24, and work as a horse trainer, and still catch flack on my helmet. I have had a few clients say they’re glad I wear a helmet, and had two co-workers say they were glad I wear a helmet after taking several nasty falls recently (although neither co-worker wears a helmet). There are a couple mounted shooters and barrel racers wear helmets, but I can’t think of names of the top of my head.
Deleted last paragraph and second post so as not to hijack OPs thread.
Here’s a video of Nicole Aichele setting the World Record for a barrel racing run in May 2010… wearing a helmet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48buKymBrGY
You know, in a sport where the winner is determined by thousandths of a second, why the HECK would you wear a big sail on your head? You want aerodynamic.
[QUOTE=Sacred_Petra;7077004]
In terms of the reiners at WEG, if they’re required to wear helmets, I doubt many of the top money earners will compete. They can make considerably more money at shows like the Futurity, NRBC, and even some smaller shows that take place in larger venues (Tulsa, for example), without the hassle of wearing a helmet. I know most of us don’t find helmets a hassle, but the ones I’ve talked to have a very different view.[/QUOTE]
Seriously? THAT would be the dealbreaker? Not the stress of flying the horses halfway around the world, or all the other FEI regulations, or dealing with USEF High Performance, or the quarantines, the time away from home… all that was fine but wearing a helmet is the End Of Story?
Snort. :lol:
[QUOTE=poltroon;7077028]
Seriously? THAT would be the dealbreaker? Not the stress of flying the horses halfway around the world, or all the other FEI regulations, or dealing with USEF High Performance, or the quarantines, the time away from home… all that was fine but wearing a helmet is the End Of Story?
Snort. :lol:[/QUOTE]
There’s a reason reining isn’t in the Olympics. If they can’t win money at a show, there’s not a lot of incentive for them to go, especially when you add a rule for equipment that a majority of them consider useless. I’m not saying that’s how it’s going to go, I haven’t been involved in the reining world for over a year now, but that’s my theory. It’s really going to boil down to FEI regulations and money, but I imagine trainers will use the helmet rule as another reason to encourage their clients to spend the money showing at more lucrative shows. I’ll be interested to see how it plays out. You also have to realize that many of these trainers are sponsored by specific hat makers (which can make a big difference in your budget when you’re showing in a hat that costs upwards of double what a custom CO helmet costs, and that’s in the cheap end.), and are therefore expected (and they generally prefer) to wear those hats.
[QUOTE=Sacred_Petra;7077031]
There’s a reason reining isn’t in the Olympics. If they can’t win money at a show, there’s not a lot of incentive for them to go, especially when you add a rule for equipment that a majority of them consider useless. I’m not saying that’s how it’s going to go, I haven’t been involved in the reining world for over a year now, but that’s my theory. It’s really going to boil down to FEI regulations and money, but I imagine trainers will use the helmet rule as another reason to encourage their clients to spend the money showing at more lucrative shows. I’ll be interested to see how it plays out. You also have to realize that many of these trainers are sponsored by specific hat makers (which can make a big difference in your budget when you’re showing in a hat that costs upwards of double what a custom CO helmet costs, and that’s in the cheap end.), and are therefore expected (and they generally prefer) to wear those hats.[/QUOTE]
Um yeah. That’s why Olympic tennis and golf and basketball never got star athletes either. 
People likey the flag on the saddleblanket thing.
I feel confident the US will be well represented. And if not, then American reiners can live with the idea of Germans as the World Champions. :lol:
[QUOTE=Sacred_Petra;7077004]
I’m sure you mean this in the right spirit, but this comment offends me a bit. I spent a year working at a top level reining barn <snipped>[/QUOTE]
The way I read the post you are commenting on regarding the bling on helmets I am assuming they meant in western pleasure type setting.
The rest of your posts do far more to make reiners look bad than anything about bling on a helmet will. Wow.
Of course more earnings is better. But really, you are going to say a bunch reiners are going to not show at a big show because of a helmet rule?
I have friends in the top of the reining world. I think I’ll ask. I’d be surprised if they’d let a helmet rule get in the way of being a potential Olympic gold medalist… but I could be wrong.
Come on, I think Olympic gold does at least a tiny bit of good when looking for new clients with money. What client doesn’t like to say, “my trainer won a gold medal”? I think that is worth the “hassle” of putting on a helmet for a few minutes. Pride be damned if that’s what it is. They may gripe, but I don’t believe the will nix the Olympics just for this reason!
[QUOTE=Sacred_Petra;7077004]
I’m sure you mean this in the right spirit, but this comment offends me a bit. I spent a year working at a top level reining barn, and during that time I talked to a lot of competitors and trainers about what they would be looking for in a helmet, and the biggest thing they all said is that they don’t want bling. The last thing most competitive reiners and cutters that I talked to want is something that will bring attention to their head, it’s why most hats are in neutral colors that often match their chaps.
In terms of OPs DD, placing mom as the scapegoat is probably the best option for her. I am 24, and work as a horse trainer, and still catch flack on my helmet. I have had a few clients say they’re glad I wear a helmet, and had two co-workers say they were glad I wear a helmet after taking several nasty falls recently (although neither co-worker wears a helmet). There are a couple mounted shooters and barrel racers wear helmets, but I can’t think of names of the top of my head.
Deleted last paragraph and second post so as not to hijack OPs thread.[/QUOTE]
Reiners and cutters, no bling. Agreed. You don’t have to work in the barn to see they don’t go for bling.
Evvvvvvvverybody else at the QH show, Bling it on.
[QUOTE=poltroon;7077026]
Here’s a video of Nicole Aichele setting the World Record for a barrel racing run in May 2010… wearing a helmet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48buKymBrGY
You know, in a sport where the winner is determined by thousandths of a second, why the HECK would you wear a big sail on your head? You want aerodynamic.[/QUOTE]
Love this! Going to show DD the thread when she gets home tomorrow. No electronics of any kind are allowed at camp. I’m hoping that when she sees that she can still do everything they do while wearing a helmet, it will be no big deal.
And the bling comment was spot on. In the kids rodeo scene, all the girls are blinged out. I bet if I let her get one of those crystal helmets, she could start a new trend. I might even get her a Troxel and hit Hobby Lobby and let her bling it up. I would prefer she not ruin the CO.
I think it would be great if she could set an example to others, especially younger kids that helmets are cool.
Letting her bling it out herself sounds like a great idea. Fun project and then her helmet will be cool, not just a helmet.
Dover has a great selection of cheaper, colored helmets, so I will let her pick one tomorrow night. And I just got off the phone with a counselor and there is one girl there in the roping section and one in the barrel and poles section wearing helmets!! DD is goat tying.
I’m not a fan of wearing my very traditional English helmets doing western stuff, but they make some decent looking brown leather/suede ones that I feel fit in pretty well. I think that’s the Troxel one maybe? (I have about 5 helmets for various events, I don’t remember who made what.)
Many insurance carriers will not issue coverage to businesses and organizations unless they have helmet requirements, especially for those under 18 yrs old. WEG is probably dealing with insurance requirements. The two local Western circuits in my area require helmets for youth riders and many barns have helmet requirements for those under 18 yrs old. Some insurance carriers just charge more if the barn or organization does not have a helmet requirement.
if you can’t find crazy fun here, you didn’t look hard enough.
I got the hunter orange and a houndstooth (Roll Tide). The only helmet that fits my block noggin is my One K, and I am not about to hurt that thing~
[QUOTE=ParadoxFarm;7077134]
Come on, I think Olympic gold does at least a tiny bit of good when looking for new clients with money. What client doesn’t like to say, “my trainer won a gold medal”? I think that is worth the “hassle” of putting on a helmet for a few minutes. Pride be damned if that’s what it is. They may gripe, but I don’t believe the will nix the Olympics just for this reason![/QUOTE]Not to mention horse resale value or stud value. They will wear the helmets, and all decide it is OK for that venue. Sacred Petra: I was only referring to the youth in question in regular classes for the bling comment. You do remember the brief but still occasionally visible fad of felt western hats with crystals on the upturned brims?? (Boy, I hate this no-paragraph thing). Just want to say I do wear my Tipperary helmet in the schooling ring riding in my western saddle always and my older skunk helmet in show classes (but I do not show western these days).
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
