Hunt caps for extra long oval head

[gypsymare]

I’d like to find a high quality hunt cap or thinner style helmet to accommodate my freakishly long skull. Even the “long oval” IRH helmet that I have gaps at the sides and is tight at the front and back. It is constantly pitching forward over my eyes when I have put my head forward to duck under branches. With or without my hair up and chin strap tight. I try to compensate by splitting my pony tail in half and running the excess up the sides. Already had the foam fillers tucked up in the lining. My hunt cap was a cheap one and fits much better than the helmet but after several years of mostly sitting in a bag, the edges of the molded white plastic cap have cut through the velvet and is showing through.

I want something stylish and comfortable. A little protection would be nice but does not have to be ASTM approved. I feel like I’m at greater risk of getting brained by a low branch when my stupid helmet falls forward than hitting the ground.

[JSwan]

Try the Pegasus helmets.

[gypsymare]

[QUOTE=JSwan;7247223]
Try the Pegasus helmets.[/QUOTE]

Interesting… it looks like they are very slim but what an odd shape. They have a sort of ledge around the back and ear cut outs like the Tipperary helmets. If it fits perfect I’d deal with it but would prefer a more classic hunt cap silhouette.

[gypsymare]

Can’t beat the price though…$55

[enjoytheride]

There are hundreds of approved helmets out there, please wear a safety helmet and not an item of apparel.

[Appsolute]

I found the Charles Owen Showjumper XP more “long oval” than their Wellington helmet.

Very traditional style - sold more in England, but you can special order through Dover, and I think it is Adams Saddlery that also carries them.

http://www.charlesowen.co.uk/us/products/showjumper+xp

[shall]

I have the Pegasus Showjumper in a 7 1/2 Long Oval. It’s lighter and smaller over alll than the Tipperary and fits my extra large long oval head. I pull it on and it stays put. There is no pressure either. It just fits.

My older long oval IRH I gave away due to forehead pain, rocking, and gaps on the side.

I had to ask the owner of Pegasus to custom make a 7 1/2 into a long oval for me. Got a hold of him, Ron Friedson, through Facebook and asked him.

Read somewhere that One K might be a possible and may test that out next. The Charles Owen’s look huge.

[gypsymare]

[QUOTE=shall;7247484]
I have the Pegasus Showjumper in a 7 1/2 Long Oval. It’s lighter and smaller over alll than the Tipperary and fits my extra large long oval head. I pull it on and it stays put. There is no pressure either. It just fits.

My older long oval IRH I gave away due to forehead pain, rocking, and gaps on the side.

I had to ask the owner of Pegasus to custom make a 7 1/2 into a long oval for me. Got a hold of him, Ron Friedson, through Facebook and asked him.

Read somewhere that One K might be a possible and may test that out next. The Charles Owen’s look huge.[/QUOTE]

How did the sizing run compared to your IRH? Size up or down any?

[Sacred_Petra]

I too have a long oval head and going to a Charles Owen from an IRH made a huge difference.

[gypsymare]

[QUOTE=Sacred_Petra;7247785]
I too have a long oval head and going to a Charles Owen from an IRH made a huge difference.[/QUOTE]

Really? I had totally crossed CO off my list after reading that they were rounder than most. The Showjumper XP really does have nice classic lines.

[ISR]

You really need to try things on given your noggin shape! I have an oval shape (but perhaps not as extreme as yours) and the CO Showjumper and Wellington DO NOT FIT, but the Hampton does.

I bought the George Morris Edition of the Pegasus off TOTD, I think it retailed for $400, I paid $100. http://www.vtosaddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PGMM!H&gclid=CIatspCAzroCFc-Y4AodhRkAZA
I normally wear a 6 7/8, so that’s what I ordered (in oval), they actually shipped a 7. Thank god they shipped wrong, because I couldn’t get the damn thing ON my head. Comically small! To say nothing of the fact that for a $400 helmet it was the tackiest, most cheaply made helmet i’ve ever seen, and that includes white schooling helmets without visors.

Go see the quality for yourself, I believe Anytime Tack in Silver Spring sells them, and judge for yourself before wasting money online. I actually had the rep from TOTD mention that she was shocked too at the quality vs. price of the Pegasus GM.

Heres the Hampton, not exactly a slim hunt cap silhouette, but it’s safe:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151805476863422&l=77d5be806f

[Grasshopper]

If you can, go try on some COs. They have some models that fit round heads, and some that fit long ovals. I too am a bit too long oval for even IRH’s long oval. The latter is what I wore for a while, but when the last one met with an accident (literally saved my life) and the local tack shop didn’t have any long oval IRHs in my size, I tried on the CO AYR8. Cue heavens opening and angels singing.

I have heard that the GR8 is not quite as long oval in shape, but can’t confirm. I am in FL and I like my vents.

[gypsymare]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I stopped by a few tack stores today and tried on both a CO Wellington Classic, 2000 and a Hampton. All fit beautifully. Apparently my head is not so freakish after all! Maybe I was confusing them with the rounder GPA fit? It’s the first helmet I’ve ever put on that actually put some pressure on the sides of my head! The 2000 was completely ridiculous looking. online it looks like it has that nice, tall, hunt cap look. On a person, it looks like you’re auditioning for an SNL conehead skit.

But seriously, CO… WHY the downward facing ribbons??? I walked out without buying anything because of this. After a web search I found a COTH thread that makes it sound like an easy fix so I’ll be heading back to pick up the Hampton. I couldn’t find a better price online and would like to support the local tack shops. AND Stablemates in Mt Airy, MD gives 10% off to hunt members!

[jawa]

I just tucked the ribbons up. I didn’t need any glue.

[ISR]

[QUOTE=jawa;7250882]
I just tucked the ribbons up. I didn’t need any glue.[/QUOTE]

Do you have one of the CO, or a different model? I have the Hampton and I am not entirely sure how one would simply “tuck up” the ribbons (I did try this, but they fell down immediately. I think some of the bows may be designed a bit differently. I am nervous about performing surgery on the helmet!

[2ndyrgal]

Patey if you want truly classic

CO has several approved ones that fit, but none look as nice as the Patey.

It does NOT come off my head. And I’ve had some rather spectacular involuntary dismounts.

The Patey is not approved because since it is made for you individual head there is no way to mass test it.

It has saved my noggin on more than one occasion.

[gypsymare]

Is there any sort of padding in the original Patey at all? I was looking at a new one on eBay and had heard that if the sizing is close you can have them adjusted by Patey reps to fit. Are there any fitters in the US for them?

[jawa]

The bow part of the ribbon is open, so I just tucked the tails of the ribbon into the bow part. I guess some of the bows are glued down and then you can’t slip the tail in the opening.

It took a few times for the ribbon to STAY, but it seems to have gotten a crease in that area so it now stays put.

[gypsymare]

That’s a good idea… I read a thread in the archives about prying up the center with a spoon and tucking the tails up through it… Also taking a needle and thread and putting a stitch in them which would be easily done if the velvet isn’t completely glued to the shell.