Suitable Helmets in the Hunter Ring

[cocohooves]

Some of you may remember me from my Tendon Injury post a while back- let’s just say things have gotten worse and we’ll see if I put anything up in a week or so, haha…ha…

But this is a more pleasant topic. I’ve been skulking around looking for a quality helmet at a suitable price and came across something I can appreciate. However, it’s quite “blingy”. As someone who one of these years hopes to perhaps try her hand in the hunter ring, is this appropriate? If not, what do you feel IS appropriate?

Here’s the helmet. Note that the central vent is surrounded by crystals. [ATTACH=JSON]{“alt”:“Click image for larger version Name: caldene_4996-600x600.jpg Views: 1 Size: 8.6 KB ID: 9749840”,“data-align”:“center”,“data-attachmentid”:“9749840”,“data-size”:“full”,“title”:“caldene_4996-600x600.jpg”}[/ATTACH]

[AndNirina]

I personally wouldn’t wear this in the hunter ring and I mainly show hunters. Regular non-blingy Samshields, Charles Owen, GPA First Lady or OneK’s are fine but that helmet is a little too much IMO.

[cocohooves]

@AndNirina

I personally wouldn’t wear this in the hunter ring and I mainly show hunters. Regular non-blingy Samshields, Charles Owen, GPA First Lady or OneK’s are fine but that helmet is a little too much IMO.

That’s what I feared. The vents are nice and generous but the central vent being silver is a bit too out there. Thanks for the input.

[DR1]

I agree. You do see a lot of different helmets in the hunter ring now that you wouldn’t have years ago, such as the leather-look finish and textured leather patterns. But crystals are not a good idea. I ride in Charles Owen helmets-I have an Ayr8 with the leather-look finish and a Wellington pro which is the softer, more conservative suede look and is very appropriate for showing. But the other helmet that so many people show in is the Samshield, and you can get pretty fancy with that one and still be ok for hunters. They have different leather patterns and trim options and just so long you stay away from the sparkly-crystal stuff they are really pretty for the hunters.

[DR1]

Oh and I will say, those two helmets are completely different fitting helmets I think. I believe the Charles Owen does have a couple different head shape options and the Samshield has a couple different liner types to compensate for head shapes, but I have an oval shape head and the Charles Owen helmets just fit me perfectly. Much as I love the look of the Samshield, I haven’t bought one because they just don’t feel right on my head.

[cocohooves]

I suppose another factor is I avoid helmets that have don’t have some kid of covering - fabric or leather or what have you. I’m a bit paranoid due to a review on a matte finish helmet whose color scratched and chipped off.

At this point, there’s no way I can comfortably afford anything over 175 - which doesn’t give me many options. I’ll certainly look into Charles Owens though. I’ve seen them around! I have a larger head and a lot - and I mean a LOT - of hair, so the bigger the better. I own a cheap second hand classic helmet that’s oval and fits me like a glove. My old Troxel, however… yuck.

Thanks again for the responses. I’ll be sure to cross bling off the criteria.

[DR1]

Well, the OneK is also fine and you might be able find one on sale for that. I have a OneK Defender I used to ride in and I think it has a nice fit. You can definitely get a Charles Owen JR8 for a little under your price range and that one is nice. Several tack shops sell new helmets on e-bay with nice discounts. If I may suggest; don’t buy a used helmet. Buy a safe new one. The materials age and it’s really not a good idea to ever buy a helmet that has a past you don’t know about. I used to shop for used on e-bay, but I don’t do it anymore. And when you buy new from a approved retailer, Charles Owen, (as well as GPA and Samshield) have a helmet accident replacement plan. If you have a fall and your helmet hits the ground, technically, you are supposed to replace it. Here’s plan info from the equus now website: http://www.equusnow.com/helmet-accident-policies/

[costco_muffins]

Take a look at the Ovation Z-6 Elite helmet. It is super lightweight, approved, and suitable for the hunter ring. Plus it sort of looks like an Antares from afar. It also fits tons of hair and looks pretty decent on a giant head.

https://www.statelinetack.com/item/ovation-z-6-elite-helmet/E003960/?srccode=ADSLPH&gclid=COf9j4zi89MCFRBEfgodN5ILlg&kwid=19959388920x8401089108x195485628

The other helmet to look into is the IRH 4G. It is basically a Samshield for 1/3 the price.

https://www.amazon.com/Helmet-Interchangable-Comfort-Sizing-Liners/dp/B016WX8S1Q

[cocohooves]

@DR - I’ll be sure not to. The best thing about my second hand helmet is I have NO clues toward the manufacturer or even what year it was made :lol: I’m happy to hear about helmet replacement plans. Thank you for the info! I’m relatively “new” to the helmet scene since I was in a barrel racing barn until recently, so I appreciate any tips.

@costco_muffins - Yes! Awesome! I’ve been looking around for reasonable IRH helmets for quite a while and had no idea they were on Amazon. Thank you!

[ParadoxFarm]

Also check out IRH helmets. They are much less costly and they would work for the hunter ring. Find them on sale!

They have a few styles, but here is one in your budget. https://www.statelinetack.com/item/irh-ir4g-helmet/E007449/

[SouthCoast]

@cocohooves

I suppose another factor is I avoid helmets that have don’t have some kid of covering - fabric or leather or what have you. I’m a bit paranoid due to a review on a matte finish helmet whose color scratched and chipped off.

At this point, there’s no way I can comfortably afford anything over 175 - which doesn’t give me many options. I’ll certainly look into Charles Owens though. I’ve seen them around! I have a larger head and a lot - and I mean a LOT - of hair, so the bigger the better. I own a cheap second hand classic helmet that’s oval and fits me like a glove. My old Troxel, however… yuck.

Thanks again for the responses. I’ll be sure to cross bling off the criteria.

My IRH Elite Extreme has been pretty abused and did get scratched up. I simply taped it off and sprayed it with a black matte Rustoleum and it was good as new. I show my hunters in a Charles Owen though

[Renn_aissance]

OP, Caldene does make that helmet in black. That said, I think the helmet is unsuitable for another reason if you plan to show: I believe that while it is approved to safety standards in the UK, it has not been approved for ASTM certification in the US.

[Heinz_57]

@costco_muffins

Take a look at the Ovation Z-6 Elite helmet. It is super lightweight, approved, and suitable for the hunter ring. Plus it sort of looks like an Antares from afar. It also fits tons of hair and looks pretty decent on a giant head.

I’m not a hunter so take this for what it’s worth, but I just got one of these (the conservative black) to replace a CO that was 8 years old, and I was really impressed by the look given the price point.

I believe @PNWjumper also has one (or a few) and has shown in it before.

[costco_muffins]

@Heinz 57

I’m not a hunter so take this for what it’s worth, but I just got one of these (the conservative black) to replace a CO that was 8 years old, and I was really impressed by the look given the price point.

I believe @PNWjumper also has one (or a few) and has shown in it before.

Yes, PNW has one too. She’s shown jumpers in it, if I recall correctly. I have shown in it in the hunters. Honestly no one cares about your helmet… except maybe 14 year old girls.