So I just purchased a navy one k defender helmet, and I’m in love with it. My question is, do you think it is acceptable to wear for showing? I show mostly locals with a few A rated shows a year. And if it is acceptable, what would it look best with in your opinion? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Here’s what the helmet looks like:
http://www.englishhabit.com/one-k-defender-suede-horse-riding-helmets.aspx
Just my experience: I was dead set on getting the navy GR8 (which, from what I can tell from your pic, is a LOT darker in color and more traditional looking than your helmet) and was forcefully talked out if it by literally everyone I encountered. I was in line with it trying to buy it at Dover and the girl ringing me up wouldn’t let me buy it! “You show hunters?” “Occasionally, yes.” “Then you should not be wearing this helmet.”
I was tempted to buy it just for spite but the reaction everyone (my trainer, barnmates, random strangers!) had to the idea of a navy helmet was so extreme/aghast that I decided I’m not a good enough rider to push the envelope with a nontraditional helmet color.
Of course, I had decided to go for the navy helmet in the first place at the encouragement of COTH…
TL;DR: while COTH may tell you yes, IME it’s not as accepted out in the “real world.”
I showed in my navy GR8 and navy gloves, light gray jacket and pale blue shirt. I got reserve champion in the hunters at two different AA shows. You’ll be fine.
And I’m no Tori Colvin skill wise either :winkgrin:
My favorite helmet was navy and brown (gr8 navy outside with brown stripe). It was gorgeous. People loved it, and it served me well at all levels of rated hunters:)
TL;DR: while COTH may tell you yes, IME it’s not as accepted out in the “real world.”
best “too long; didn’t read”, that I’ve read in a while.
I have shown in my navy AYR8 and didn’t feel it affected my placings at all. I have worn my brown GR8 (with a brown jacket) at a AA show and was Reserve Champion of my division so don’t think I got counted off for it. (Have the picture wearing the brown helmet with the ribbon to prove it - LOL)
But, I am sure some trainers would frown upon anything other than black.
[QUOTE=AffirmedHope;7450928]
navy gloves[/QUOTE]
Where are you getting leather navy gloves?
OP, if a sufficiently dark navy helmet is not acceptable, then you should wear it until you make it acceptable. It sounds very nice.
I totally would dig a navy ensemble as well as a brown ensemble for showing. But there is a cautionary tale to be heard from DressageWorld. When colors and ensembles first became fashion-legal, there were some cheap and overboard versions out there. It was bad.
Keep it tasteful and of good quality, Hunter Princesses, but branch out if you like.
https://www.smartpakequine.com/roeckl-chester-glove-2212p
Not sure if it’s actually “leather” but most of the girls at my barn had the same ones but in black and showed in them. I was a rebel lol.
[QUOTE=AffirmedHope;7451091]
https://www.smartpakequine.com/roeckl-chester-glove-2212p
Not sure if it’s actually “leather” but most of the girls at my barn had the same ones but in black and showed in them. I was a rebel lol.[/QUOTE]
Not leather. Those are bad. You may not have those. I’m a snot, not a rebel.
Roeckl makes navy colored leather gloves:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/roeckl®-chester-riding-gloves/p/X1-3959/
[QUOTE=mvp;7451104]
Not leather. Those are bad. You may not have those. I’m a snot, not a rebel.[/QUOTE]
Too bad, so sad! rubs ribbon in yo face! 
They look like leather and wear like iron.
Yes it is acceptable. You pay for it, you wear it, nobody else. Honestly the whole “I couldn’t wear this in the hunter ring” thing is totally overblown, it really doesn’t matter. Especially in helmets.
Everyone at my barn, including the trainer shows in those Roeckel gloves (in black. )
I showed in a navy IRH with a navy TS coat in the 3’3" Eq at HITS Culpepper and took away some nice ribbons. As long as the look is conservative and not “flashy” I think you will be fine.
[QUOTE=mvp;7451074]
Where are you getting leather navy gloves?[/QUOTE]
:lol: everyone has navy gloves these days … or maybe that was last years fashion :uhoh:
at any rate, Roeckl, SSG, Heritage & other brand all have navy in my local shops, some very nice leather too.
I think in hunters and (obvioulsy) jumpers no problem. I also wouldn’t think it would be a problem in Eq unless you’re at a very high level and/or it is done loudly (ie a bright blue with bling…that being said I really want the Navy Samshield w/5 crystals…)
[QUOTE=AffirmedHope;7451116]
Too bad, so sad! rubs ribbon in yo face!
They look like leather and wear like iron.[/QUOTE]
I was expecting full grain navy leather. That sounded pretty. These are suede-looking?
I showed AA hunters in my navy Charles Owen GR8 back when they first came out. No one ran me off the shows grounds with torches and pitchforks, and I was at both local and rated shows. In fact, I had a few people stop me to ask about the helmet as they weren’t that common here yet back then.
The one navy One K I have seen looked close to black to me, but it was a different model I think. And inside. Natural lighting might bring the blue out, but it still was pretty dark.
Have shown at WEF in navy Samshield, navy roeckel gloves and navy jacket in the hunters, and have had no problem-have gotten blue ribbons to match. There’s dark grey, dark brown etc. helmets in the hunters as well as tasteful jumper jackets like Animo with name patches on as well. It’s about a conservative, polished look-be it navy or black, and a beautifully turned out horse.
[QUOTE=mvp;7451294]
I was expecting full grain navy leather. That sounded pretty. These are suede-looking?[/QUOTE]
The one’s I have aren’t (well, maybe just the palms, I can’t remember) they do look like real leather. That color swatch on the site isn’t accurate. I’ll take a look at mine when I get home tonight.
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