…and looking at the picture, thinking how nice it looked with a little bit of tasteful piping on the helmet coordinating with the collar, points, and saddle pad (Brit flag and all that). And how very natural and normal it looks. I guess it will start to look SOP the more we see it.
http://horsenetwork.com/2016/08/british-dressage-makes-helmet-statement-rio/
Wonderful way to lead by example and spread the word about safety 
Wonderful way to lead by example and spread the word about safety
There was a money request from the USEF Foundation in the run-up to Rio that listed items you could “purchase” for the team by donating certain chunks of change. One option was a helmet. I was so tempted to contact them to say I’d donate one if, in exchange, a team member that was not currently wearing one to compete would start.
The US eventers all wore helmets for dressage and have no choice in the other two phases. For the dressage phase, out of all 65 eventing entries, 37 wore helmets, 27 wore top hats, and 1 wore a military cap. (57% helmets, 42% top hats, 1% other).
Of the 27 competitors who wore top hats, 24 were men and 3 were women. All four team members from France, New Zealand, and Australia wore top hats.
Notably, William Fox-Pitt wore a top hat - in spite of his very serious head injury less than a year ago - says it is part of the tradition for him.
Quite honestly, I really like the helmets - now the top hats are starting to look silly to me.
I was flabbergasted to see WFP in a top hat . . . but then why let common sense get in the way of tradition?! If I was his wife, he wouldn’t have to worry about having another fall
Wasn’t a rule just passed about only helmets being allowed?
I thought CD wore a similar helmet in London?
[QUOTE=Tiger Horse;8792911]
Wasn’t a rule just passed about only helmets being allowed?[/QUOTE]
US rules (USEF) require a helmet for Dressage.
International rules (FEI) do NOT require a helmet for Dressage.
At least its becoming more normal to see the helmets That’s progress, I think.
[QUOTE=BEARCAT;8791226]
Wonderful way to lead by example and spread the word about safety :)[/QUOTE]
Dujardin has had a skull fracture. She promised her mum to always wear a helmet.
I didn’t get a chance to watch dressage today, did any of our team members wear helmets?
I would certainly take a lovely helmet and Valegro over a silly top hat any day!
[QUOTE=AffirmedHope;8793138]
I didn’t get a chance to watch dressage today, did any of our team members wear helmets?[/QUOTE]
All except Steffen.
Pretty sure that I read that Steffen is very superstitious and that this is a lucky top hat or something. I have certainly seen him ride in a helmet, but I think for most all big shows, he wears the top hat.
[QUOTE=candico;8793277]
Pretty sure that I read that Steffen is very superstitious and that this is a lucky top hat or something. I have certainly seen him ride in a helmet, but I think for most all big shows, he wears the top hat.[/QUOTE]
Yes very lucky until you have a TBI! FEI should just make it a rule and be done with it. Good grief!
[QUOTE=Janet;8792974]
US rules (USEF) require a helmet for Dressage.
International rules (FEI) do NOT require a helmet for Dressage.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for clarifying for me. It’s a shame that the FEI won’t get on board.
[QUOTE=Tiger Horse;8793731]
Thanks for clarifying for me. It’s a shame that the FEI won’t get on board.[/QUOTE]
Hard to change tradition.
[QUOTE=Rackonteur;8794762]
Hard to change tradition.[/QUOTE]
I always think of the Brits as being about as traditional as it gets - and they all wore helmets!
[QUOTE=equisusan;8793313]
Yes very lucky until you have a TBI! FEI should just make it a rule and be done with it. Good grief![/QUOTE]
I’m thinking I read that Steffan wears a helmet schooling and in warmup, but puts on the top hat for the test. Not sure if that’s always the case, but that’s my recollection.
[QUOTE=Tiger Horse;8794853]
I always think of the Brits as being about as traditional as it gets - and they all wore helmets![/QUOTE]
We are but Charlotte and Carl are cult heros over here so if they do it then the majority follow
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