I think the way forward is to sponsor a substantial prize that is available to the fastest ride with a helmet. $50 or $100 at each of these local events might go a long way.
I barrel raced for a few years, both NBHA and rodeos. Not professionally but quite a bit. I wore a helmet. A Charles Owen, actually. Very english looking. I never experienced in nastiness towards my wearing it. Never heard a word about it period, in fact. Hearing how many of you have run into such ridicule is both surprising and disheartening. 
Good for that rider though. Not only is she excellent at her sport, but she’s smart enough to cover her money maker, with pride. I hope it spreads. I work in a trauma hospital, and see quite enough trauma without the helmet less riders to boot.
but when one dies, they ll say it’s okay as that person died doing what he/she loved. Wasn’t there a young girl who died last year… same comment!!
Poor excuse… but Darwin at work I guess!
[QUOTE=FalseImpression;7649366]
but when one dies, they ll say it’s okay as that person died doing what he/she loved. Wasn’t there a young girl who died last year… same comment!!
Poor excuse… but Darwin at work I guess![/QUOTE]
And the attacks begin.
I don’t understand anyone who would attack a person for wearing safety gear while riding an 1100 lb animal that frequently seems bent on self destruction. It’s a dangerous sport, but I’d like to live to do it again the next day. Good for this girl!!
I was not attacking the girl wearing a helmet!!Why would I do that… I was saying that the ones not wearing a helmet and fighting the pro helmet riders will come back, after a fatality, saying “the rider died doing something he/she loved”… Where did you read anything else. If I was attacking anyone, it’s the ones not smart enough to wear a helmet!!
All the local western shows in my area have helmet rules for juniors. Adults do not have to wear them, and none do.
When the first barrel racing events started, it was mandatory to wear a cowboy hat, jeans and long sleeved shirts.
Then many would put the hat all the way back so it would fall off when they entered the arena, considering them a bit of a drag.
The powers that be decided you were disqualified if your hat fell before so far, I don’t know how far into the run.
Many then started using “stampede strings”, that would keep the hat tied down or at least around your neck if it fell off.
I don’t know what their rules say now, but evidently they have been changed, if some can run without cowboy hats on their heads.
When I was looking at pix of this year’s Bishop Mule Days I noiced quite a few of the Western events riders wearng helmets. Surprised me , in a good way.
[QUOTE=Antaeus;7649935]
When I was looking at pix of this year’s Bishop Mule Days I noiced quite a few of the Western events riders wearng helmets. Surprised me , in a good way.:)[/QUOTE]
Ya gotta be SMART to train a mule, so mule riders would seem to be “smarter than your average…” ;o)
As a reiner, I’ve seen several posts made by male riders to the effect that if they are required to wear helmets, they would stop reining. Guess you must not love the sport that much. When are reiners supposed to start wearing helmets in the WEG?
I personally don’t wear a helmet, but do not look down on those that do.
[QUOTE=OneGrayPony;7649569]
I don’t understand anyone who would attack a person for wearing safety gear while riding an 1100 lb animal that frequently seems bent on self destruction. It’s a dangerous sport, but I’d like to live to do it again the next day. Good for this girl!![/QUOTE]
When I’ve asked why all the vitriol against helmet wearers, the most common answer I get is that it’s disrespectful to tradition. “My family’s been ranching here for four generations and not one of us has ever wore a helmet” type thing.
The second most common response I get is that it’s actually more dangerous to wear a helmet than not. sigh
[QUOTE=sirbeastmom;7650300]
When I’ve asked why all the vitriol against helmet wearers, the most common answer I get is that it’s disrespectful to tradition. “My family’s been ranching here for four generations and not one of us has ever wore a helmet” type thing.
The second most common response I get is that it’s actually more dangerous to wear a helmet than not. sigh[/QUOTE]
That is silly, many cowboys wear baseball caps today.
When my daughter wore her helmet at her first rodeo several people took it upon themselves to tell me she wasn’t “required” to wear one. Really?
I agree there are a lot of haters out there on both sides. I personally don’t care what an adult decides to do, but I do think children should be encouraged to wear helmets.
I will say the only other child who wore a helmet last night was my ferrier’s daughter. He said I am glad to see another helmet here. Someone who is around horses all day and has a pretty good understanding of their behavior has decided his kid will wear a helmet or not ride.
[QUOTE=sirbeastmom;7650300]
The second most common response I get is that it’s actually more dangerous to wear a helmet than not. sigh[/QUOTE]
About 10 years ago I was scribing at a dressage show, and the judge told me exactly that. She said she’d rather have a fractured skull than a broken neck. I can’t find any current pictures of her online to see if she still rides without a helmet.
Western Saddle Club shows have the rule about losing your hat - if it comes off you are disqualified. So weird
You are allowed to wear a helmet, but I haven’t seen many.
and MEGA kudos for hot Helmet Girl! I like her tshirt: Not scared, smart!
with more and more male rodeo riders wearing protective helmets along with vests I would have thought a hard hat would be more accepted.
They teach bull riding at an agricultural college near here and have annual competions with riders from as far as Australia. The ALL wear helmets and protective vests. I live in the middle of cowboy country (mid Alberta) and not one of the cowboy hat wearing audience members thought that was even worth a comment.
How sad that common sense does not prevail without any name calling. All disciplines should have minors wearing safety helmets. If an adult wishes to bash their brains out is another thing. Pretty sure that everyone that sustained a serious brain injury when riding without one, would likely vote for helmets.
