Skunkheads in the hunters!

[Chef_Jade]

It finally happened. There is a picture of Kent Farrington (I believe) on Towerheads showing a lovely gray hunter in the oh so unattracive skunk helmet. All the speculation is over, now…it looks like it may produce a trend. I cringe at the thought of me having to succumb to the fasion police and actually wear one of those in the hunters.

I distinctly remember the day at a show (feels like yesterday…more like yesterday 10 years ago) where my mom and I agreed that those new puke green breeches were absolutely horrendous. That same show I was in the mobile tack shop buying my first pair.

Although many would find my navy hunt cap tasteless…I don’t think I’ll be sporting this new skunkhead look in the hunters. Although nobody (including myself) will be surprised if my first errand upond arriving to Indio is to make a trip to the tack shop.

Somebody save us all!

[Canter]

LOL!!! I laughed at the reference to the green TS’s. I hated them at first too!!! As much as I hate the skunks, if they’re going to save at least one brain, then I guess I could show in one - but god help me if the show photographer is around!!!

[Cactuskate]

So again Weatherford, the Europeans will have another show jumping advantage. All their riders will be intelligently protecting their heads.

[daytimedrama]

While I’m at Indio (week 1) I will be spending most of my time in the shopping alley, I LOVE Indio’s shopping!

~Christina~

[Weatherford]

Kryswym - you should have punched him!

(And I generally do not advocate violence! )

[Dru]

Terri: If the harness snaps in and out, the helmet is not ASTM/SEI. Not only are those International helmets items of apparel, but there is also the chance that the pretty harness will unsnap at exactly the wrong time. Fine for somebody who doesn’t choose to wear a protective helmet and is willing to take the chance.

There are several ASTM helmets with very attractive 4 point leather covered harnesses, and my guess is that the one Paige saw is the new International Royale, which is a certified model with that particular harness. IMHO very elegant.

I am so relieved that your daughter wears the Owen certified model, and not a Regal or detachable harness model ! It was such a pleasure to have the Owen company choose to go through SEI and provide our riders with another good choice. Now if we can get you to care as much about yourself as you do about her…

Inverness: Weatherford has it right, as usual; the GPA doesn’t provide any more back protection than the International ATH, it’s just the one piece look at the back of the head which fools the eye on both these helmets. As far as I know, the company making the GPA has not planned on U.S. certification, despite rumors that people have been told that they have. However, that’s proprietory information, and SEI only notifies me when a new model has passed the process, not which ones are failing testing !

PacificSolo: THANK YOU ! Yes, denial IS the right term, isn’t it.

Kryswyn: AHSA Rated Judges are, sadly, products of their environment like the rest of us. And it’s still considered to be politically correct in the horse world to consider any change from a 200 year old costume to be ugly. Weird, isn’t it ?
When football went from skinhead (literally) helmets to protective helmets, nobody mocked out the players as being cowardly or ugly. Only equestrian sports have been forced to consider “user acceptance” or “aesthetics” as part of their design process; the others can all spend their time on safety features and trying to outdo each other in matters of performance, comfort, versatility and price.
Now don’t get me started on tail coats for six year old pony riders, much less black wool and vests in hot climates…

[Inverness]

Agreed JumpHigh83. Safety first.

[Karla]

What is a skunk helmet?

[Black_Market_Radio]

As my fiancee said, “You can’t put a price on love” what he meant by that, is that he doesn’t mind spending more money to get a safer helmet. So I am saving to get a “skunk helmet”, which kind, I am not sure yet, I am researching them on my own. But I WILL show with it in Hunters, Jumpers and gasp even DRESSAGE!!! Can’t wait to see the looks I get! And if anyone makes a comment to me, I will say, “Well, MY brain is worth saving, therefore, I am willing to forgoe fashion to safety…” Or something along those lines!

I used to not wear a helmet unless trail riding or jumping. Something snapped in me one day and I wear my approved lexington ugly white safety helmet everytime I get on. I learned too much in my life and have so much more to learn that I am not willing to risk losing it for the sake of fashion.

[Jumphigh83]

I n the HEAD!!!

[Inverness]

I love my approved CO Showjumper 2000 (thank you again Kryswyn). I did a header just the other night and while I didn’t hit my noggin, I did roll. My helmet did not budge. I didn’t even think about the helmet when I rose from the dirt - it was the only item of apparel that I didn’t have to readjust.

CO scores again for safety and comfort (and warmth, I might add).

[ErinB]

Can’t I be safe in an International Royal? I will sooner wear a pink fuzzy helmet cover than one of those things. (I’m serious, too. With my pink fur boot rubber covers to match!)

~Erin~

[Medievalist]

http://www.equestrian.com.my/gpa/index.phtml

[LJD]

I’m getting worn down here… maybe I’ll try a GPA, but not unless it (a) gets approved (b) the price is lowered and © I get a jumper. Yeah, safety is a priority, but $300… come on! That’s a little excessive.
pOnY rOcK
PS ~ What will the AHSA if you don’t have an approved hat on?!

[Dru]

It’s good advice to spend about $180 less for the International ATH than the GPD, which is not ASTM/SEI.

I have asked the manufacturer to consider making a black helmet model without the stripe but with the same contour and harness. He was kind enough to send me a prototype, and I think the fit is fantastic, with no messing around with major harness adjustments.

If enough of you are interested I think that there’s a good chance that this helmet can be made available. I will discuss it again when the company president returns from a business trip.

[OnceAThief]

From reading this thread, I assumed that my skunkhat (GPA2 if you want to get technical) wasn’t approved. I was looking at it last night, and on the orange tag inside of it, it says the following:

This headgear is designed for equestrian use only. Although this helmet meets or exceeds ASTM Standard #F1163, no helmet can protect the wearer against all forseeable impacts…

Is this a different ASTM rating than what other helmets are tested to? I’m just kind of confused by this now - it also says, in two other places inside the hat, “Model GPA2, Standard #F1163-99” and then, “ASTM F 1163-97.” Thanks!

[LJD]

I will never wear a skunk hat, unless I get paid $10,000 each show. Katie Jaffe and the Goutals (pony riders) have them. Personally, I wanna try the new International or wait til something cool comes out. As long as it’s comfy and not huge, it’s all good.
pOnY rOcK

[Chef_Jade]

I have been working, but not too hard
I did buy a new horse a month ago who is keeping me busy.
I’ll be at weeks 5&6 of Indio. Jade and I hope to see you there…maybe she can even behave herself this time!

[Trixie]

the only problem that I see with them is that they’re not even remotely traditional, and showing in hunters is built on a strong foundation of tradition. I don’t think they’re great looking, I like the charles owens a lot better, it’s asthetically pleasing. I’m not a fan of the stripey thing.

[Inverness]

Dru,
Once the GPA receives its ASTM/SEI approval (which, I assume, the company will be seeking), it looks to me like the GPA may provide even a greater degree of protection.

I realize that the testing institute determines only whether the product meets the applicable standards and does not “rate” products against one another. However, the design of the GPA does seem to provide more coverage in the back.

Has anyone raised this question or will we be at the mercy of the marketers in determining which helmet will provide us the best protection?