Not necessarily safer, but much more comfortable. I have a Charles Owen Wellington Pro, GPA First Lady, and I just ordered my Samshield. I honestly find them to be comfortable in different ways. I’m really excited for my Samshield to come in because it’s very light weight, fits my head well, and doesn’t have the big brim like my First Lady. I’ve been in situations where I’ve had to strap on whatever was available and believe me…there was a pretty big difference!! Safety wise, there isn’t really one. I just feel safer in certain helmets
[QUOTE=Appsolute;7241857]
And on a side note … I might start a PSA post soon about helmet fit and wear. See too many people, especially kids with helmets perched on the back of their heads.
Recently saw a Cother posting pictures of riders with helmets perched on the back of their heads - way up on their foreheads. That is NOT the correct way to wear a helmet! Super pet peeve of mine. If you are going to bother wearing one for safety, choose one that fits, and place it on your head correctly. I should not be able to almost see your hair line in the front of the helmet![/QUOTE]
There is truly nothing more annoying than this. Not only is it totally unsafe and defeats the purpose of even wearing a helmet…it looks dumb.
[QUOTE=bear necessities;7243066]
There is truly nothing more annoying than this. Not only is it totally unsafe and defeats the purpose of even wearing a helmet…it looks dumb.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, and based on personal experience, with a very oval head, it happens when people buy ill-shaped helmets for their long head and it can’t fit it down, level, on their forehead without causing a massive headache. It’s a pain to have a non-average body part, but it is what it is. Can’t be super fashionable, can’t get a really cheap helmet and can’t buy off the shelf in a retail store on a whim. But, considering the price of a brain injury, planning ahead and mail ordering, forgoing the most popular helmets and special ordering the $150-$180 IRH’s that actually fit me is a bargain. I’m just thankful I don’t HAVE to spend $600 to protect my head! And, Smartpak carries long ovals in all sizes, is good about returns and ships fast, so getting my hands on a helmet that fits isn’t that hard.
[QUOTE=Canaqua;7243380]
Yeah, and based on personal experience, with a very oval head, it happens when people buy ill-shaped helmets for their long head and it can’t fit it down, level, on their forehead without causing a massive headache. It’s a pain to have a non-average body part, but it is what it is. Can’t be super fashionable, can’t get a really cheap helmet and can’t buy off the shelf in a retail store on a whim. But, considering the price of a brain injury, planning ahead and mail ordering, forgoing the most popular helmets and special ordering the $150-$180 IRH’s that actually fit me is a bargain. I’m just thankful I don’t HAVE to spend $600 to protect my head! And, Smartpak carries long ovals in all sizes, is good about returns and ships fast, so getting my hands on a helmet that fits isn’t that hard.[/QUOTE]
Honestly, I bet you aren’t that special in the head shape department. Buying a helmet is like buying jeans…and NO ONE thinks finding the perfect pair of jeans is easy…and nothing every seems to fit just right.
[QUOTE=RugBug;7243556]
Honestly, I bet you aren’t that special in the head shape department. Buying a helmet is like buying jeans…and NO ONE thinks finding the perfect pair of jeans is easy…and nothing every seems to fit just right.[/QUOTE]
You’d have to see my head to believe it ;). Or measure it, more likely, as it’s not so obvious with hair. My brothers and I all got sent for x-rays (old days before ultrasound or CT scans) to make sure there was nothing wrong because our heads were growing strangely. My kids raised alarm at the pediatrician too, as babies, until they measured my head and decided it as just an odd, hereditary, skull shape…BIG, long, narrow, deep/high forehead, not remotely average. I joke that it is to hold our great big frontal lobes…but that’s just to make us all feel better ;).
After that description, I really DO want to see it. 
This is an interesting mandate made by the barn. And if you get either one even though the fit is substandard (which it very well could be) and you get a head injury, does the farm want to be liable cause they mandated what helmet they wanted you to be seen in.
[QUOTE=hunter98;7242016]
I was recently informed that for my new show barn, I need a GPA or CO. CO doesn’t fit me, sooo… I need $500. I can let you know if I find out the hard way if a GPA is worth it.[/QUOTE]
I’ve currently got 3 helmets - an Ovation with the dial adjustment in the back, a Tipperary Sportage, and a GPA Speed Air. The Ovation sort of feels (and looks) like a bowling ball on my head. It was my “just getting back into riding” helmet. The Tipperary is comfortable and cool, but it is so ugly looking on me that I felt self conscious in it. The Speed Air looks good (for a helmet) and feels so comfortable that I often forget to take it off after I ride. The other day I got as far as getting into my car when I bumped my helmet on the door jamb and realized I had forgotten to take the helmet off. Also, the Speed Air is cooler than even the Tipperary, and I live in a hot, humid climate so that is really important to me.
I do also think that the Speed Air feels much more substantial than the Tipperary. Whether that really makes a difference or not, I don’t know, but I’m going to err on the side of caution when it comes to my head.
The Speed Air is a bit of a splurge, but I’m 55 and my kids are grown and I’m kind of enjoying splurging a bit these days, after many years of college tuitions:) If that makes me shallow, so be it.
I was absolutely determined to not spend more than $150 on a helmet, specifically so that I would not be tempted to not replace it after a fall. Helmets have always fit me horribly, with a large long oval head. When I was a teenager I would have that red mark across my forehead every single time from a ill-fitting helmet.
I ended up purchasing a One K last spring and it is for me the most comfortable helmet I have ever owned. Taking my helmet off used to be the absolute first thing I would do when I got off a horse - at a show this summer I didn’t realize I had not taken it off until I was spraying the horse off at the wash area - that is how comfortable it is. Ended up spending over the budget ($230ish), but I am never tempted to ride without a helmet because it is so comfortable anymore.
[QUOTE=Canaqua;7243380]
Yeah, and based on personal experience, with a very oval head, it happens when people buy ill-shaped helmets for their long head and it can’t fit it down, level, on their forehead without causing a massive headache. It’s a pain to have a non-average body part, but it is what it is. Can’t be super fashionable, can’t get a really cheap helmet and can’t buy off the shelf in a retail store on a whim. But, considering the price of a brain injury, planning ahead and mail ordering, forgoing the most popular helmets and special ordering the $150-$180 IRH’s that actually fit me is a bargain. I’m just thankful I don’t HAVE to spend $600 to protect my head! And, Smartpak carries long ovals in all sizes, is good about returns and ships fast, so getting my hands on a helmet that fits isn’t that hard.[/QUOTE]
I too have an IRH for my oval head. I got the oval version from Samrtpak also. It does fit the best. I am a small boned, 5’7" female but my helmet is a 7 5/8 so I get what you mean.
[QUOTE=poltroon;7241869]
If you’re not going to show, people really like the Tipperary helmets as being very comfortable, and they’re another under $100.[/QUOTE]
I love my sportage, it’s very light weight and goes lower in the back. I have shown in it- and seen others do so also (OK not an A rated show) but honestly, would a judge really fail to pin you on account of your helmet? I surely hope not!
It was awhile ago, but a teenager was killed after falling off and hitting the base of her skull on a mounting block because her helmet was one of the troxels where the back didnt cover the back of her head. (Again, it was awhile ago, I dont remember details as they get muttled with time and gossip)
The barn apparently insists now that riders all wear GPAs, IRH, or something of that sort b/c of the back of the head coverage and keeps spares for people who dont have ones that fit properly. Which I think is great, if you are going to have a helmet policy, having loaners for those who cant invest in one right away is a great way to not deter people from riding.
Yes, agree that you need a helmet that fits & looks good enough for you to wear. Had a GPA, but I smashed my head nicely in it & when I went to the tack store they didn’t have the correct size/shape combo & I ended up with a CO. The helmet is extremely comfortable & looks as nice as a helmet could, lol. The Samshield looked horrible on my round face, and my wallet appreciates that 
I have a CO, an IRH and an Ovation Deluxe Schooler, and the Ovation is my favorite helmet - it fits me perfectly, and it’s the one I wear for everyday riding. I too am an average-sized adult female at 5’6", but my head is borderline kid’s size and oval.
If I had a trainer tell me what kind of helmet I could wear - or really, what brand of ANYTHING I had to have - I would tell that person to eff off and I would leave that barn. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
I don’t mean to hijack this thread, but I am currently looking at a new helmet. I am set on IRH (I think). I bought a CO last year and it was so uncomfortable and just didn’t fit. I tried an IRH Elite Eq at a tack shop and loved it, but I am wondering if anyone has any personal experience between the IRH Elite EQ, IRH Elite Extreme, or IRH ATH SSV?
I’m really neededing a new helmet as both of mine don’t fit well, anymore. I just don’t know which I should go for, and now that I moved my new tack shop doesn’t carry any to try.
[QUOTE=Belmont;7246576]
I don’t mean to hijack this thread, but I am currently looking at a new helmet. I am set on IRH (I think). I bought a CO last year and it was so uncomfortable and just didn’t fit. I tried an IRH Elite Eq at a tack shop and loved it, but I am wondering if anyone has any personal experience between the IRH Elite EQ, IRH Elite Extreme, or IRH ATH SSV?
I’m really neededing a new helmet as both of mine don’t fit well, anymore. I just don’t know which I should go for, and now that I moved my new tack shop doesn’t carry any to try.[/QUOTE] The elite EQ and Extreme fit more like the GPA round shape, and the SSV fits more like the CO oval fit, so I’m not sure that it would fit you.
I am extremely impressed with the IRH helmets. We went looking for our favorite helmet to be the official helmet for the MAEF this year and really looked into all brands and price points. After considering all that we investigated we chose the IRH for style, safety features, commitment to safety, replacement policy, comfort and price point. They are kindly awarding helmets next week to all our champions. I definitely suggest downloading their catalogue and trying their hats for fit and comfort. IRH will be set up at our show next week with many styles for you to try.
[QUOTE=DMK;7242747]
Yet another example of sisters from another mother.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, but you’re more like my glitzier more glamorous older sister
And I say that because my Ovationis nowhere near as fancy and expensive as your Ovation :lol:
ETA: I realize after rereading that the picture is your brown leather IRH. But I stand by my statement since my IRH is also much more boring than yours!
As I was watching the Maclays this weekend, a rider fell off at a jump. Her helmet FELL OFF. I don’t know if it was just in improper fit, or what. But they are not supposed to fall off. The commentator (Jimmy Torano) was saying that he hated those particular helmets because he has seen them come off before and that they sometimes shift. This was a GPA Speed Air. So, be sure your helmet fits. If you are considering a helmet, maybe keep this in mind. I don’t own one personally, but I did see this happen “live” (albeit online) yesterday.
ETA - I just read on another thread that the helmet did NOT fall off, but did rotate way back and she took it off. But Jimmy T did say he has seen these fall off. I didn’t realize there was already a thread about this. Sorry!
I feel like this picture needs to be used to advertise this helmet lol
My sister is in need of a new helmet, but is really on a budget. She was a little skeptical about Troxel (intrepid) and Ovation. I showed her an Ovation helmet online (I think dover) and she agreed it wasn’t bad. I’m about to show her your picture so she can see it in action. I think I might buy one too and save my show helmets for the big stuff.
