time to put an end to top hats in dressage

[rothmpp]

[QUOTE=dotneko;7554094]
What I do not understand is how the USEF does not require hard hats across the board for all disciplines. There are very young children riding saddleseat, for example, without helmets. I recently judged the dressage portion of a breed show for which helmets were required for all riders where right next to our warmup were children without. Either it is a safety issue or it is not. Can’t have it both ways.[/QUOTE]

Totally agree with this. I know the argument from USEF is that they don’t initiate rules, they just take proposals from the disciplines regarding the rules under which individual disciplines run. But once they set a precedence that more than just over fences disciplines have a helmet rule, I am surprised that they have not extended it to all disciplines that fall under their oversight. Explain to me how a dressage test is more dangerous than a rail class in a saddleseat show???

I’m just happy that the rule change went through before I bought the top hat that I was just about to use for my foray into third level.

[Madeline]

[QUOTE=dotneko;7554094]
What I do not understand is how the USEF does not require hard hats across the board for all disciplines. There are very young children riding saddleseat, for example, without helmets. I recently judged the dressage portion of a breed show for which helmets were required for all riders where right next to our warmup were children without. Either it is a safety issue or it is not. Can’t have it both ways.[/QUOTE]

The first multi-million dollar lawsuit should change that. Someone (from a non H/J or Paso Fino discipline) with a relative in a vegetative state or worse will sue the horse show, their trainer and USEF. “You make the H/J and Paso people wear helmets, why not everyone?” “It isn’t traditional” is not a good answer, and they’ll probably all have to pay. Then, if there is any USEF left, helmets will be mandated on all showgrounds regardless of discipline.

[Ruby2shoes]

what about this?

http://www.chronofhorse.com/photos_videos?nid=49110#49111

[SevenDogs]

Ruby: while maybe not the smartest thing ever, we have a lot bigger fish to fry.

[Willesdon]

The BE rules were tightened up again this year 2014

7.2 Hats. A ‘riding hat’, designed to provide protection, must be worn at all times by anyone, whether or not a Competitor, riding anywhere at a BE Event. Top hats and uniform hats are permitted as an exception to this rule only for dressage and mounted prize-givings (where appropriate) in intermediate Championships and advanced classes and in certain FEi classes.

If a hat comes off during a dressage test, it must be replaced immediately; the Competitor may dismount or the hat may be handed to them. the test will be restarted at the beginning of the movement during which it came off. There will be no penalty for error of course but if the hat is not replaced the Competitor will be eliminated.

Protective headwear, as listed below, must be worn by Competitors at all times when mounted in BE80(t), BE90, BE100 and BE100 Plus classes. When jumping, including warming up, all Competitors must wear ‘Protective headwear’ i.e. a hat which meets one of the following standards.
British – all Pas 015, BSEN 1384 } Provided they are BSI kitemarked or SEI
European – EN1384 } Provided they are BSI kitemarked or SEI
American – all SEI ASTM 95 ASTM F1163 2004 and SNELL E2001
Australian & New Zealand – all AS/NZ 3838 2003

‘Protective headwear’ must show a visible current BE ‘hat tag’. Harnesses must be correctly fastened.

Competitors are strongly recommended to check their hats regularly and to replace them if damaged, or following a fall.

[Jealoushe]

[QUOTE=Ruby2shoes;7554648]
http://www.chronofhorse.com/photos_videos?nid=49110#49111[/QUOTE]

He also wears a top hat so that is pretty much the standard for him.

[BabyGreen]

I thought Phillip Dutton looked like the Artful Dodger.

[Snugglerug]

[QUOTE=Willesdon;7554684]
The BE rules were tightened up again this year 2014

7.2 Hats. A ‘riding hat’, designed to provide protection, must be worn at all times by anyone, whether or not a Competitor, riding anywhere at a BE Event. Top hats and uniform hats are permitted as an exception to this rule only for dressage and mounted prize-givings (where appropriate) in intermediate Championships and advanced classes and in certain FEi classes.

If a hat comes off during a dressage test, it must be replaced immediately; the Competitor may dismount or the hat may be handed to them. the test will be restarted at the beginning of the movement during which it came off. There will be no penalty for error of course but if the hat is not replaced the Competitor will be eliminated.

Protective headwear, as listed below, must be worn by Competitors at all times when mounted in BE80(t), BE90, BE100 and BE100 Plus classes. When jumping, including warming up, all Competitors must wear ‘Protective headwear’ i.e. a hat which meets one of the following standards.
British – all Pas 015, BSEN 1384 } Provided they are BSI kitemarked or SEI
European – EN1384 } Provided they are BSI kitemarked or SEI
American – all SEI ASTM 95 ASTM F1163 2004 and SNELL E2001
Australian & New Zealand – all AS/NZ 3838 2003

‘Protective headwear’ must show a visible current BE ‘hat tag’. Harnesses must be correctly fastened.

Competitors are strongly recommended to check their hats regularly and to replace them if damaged, or following a fall.[/QUOTE]

How on earth does a properly fitted and fastened helmet come off during a dressage test? And if a required helmet is not fastened or is so poorly fitted that it comes flying off while fastened, I would propose the rider should be eliminated. I’ve never seen one randomly unbuckle itself and jump off the head.

[CaitlinandTheBay]

I was so, so disappointed to see the number of top hats at Rolex. I think they look stupid in them- not just because wearing evening wear in an athletic pursuit is ridiculous, but also because we KNOW about TBIs. I mean, really, do you have nothing to protect up there? Please, stop being so stupid.

[Sannois]

[QUOTE=RAyers;7554525]
While I can agree with your sentiment, having seen the actual physical damage to a body in the hospital on a regular basis, wearing a helmet is the easiest and cheapest way to avoid a completely life changing experience for the entire family as well as affecting numerous others who will have to care and treat the patient. Thus, I am an advocate for requiring helmets. For those who don’t, I suggest they promise not to seek medical attention.[/QUOTE]
I understand, For me it is a no brainer. I live in a state that revoked the requirement for Motor cycle riders to wear helmets. Everytime I see a bare head flying down the highway I think… WHY, your head is like a ripe mellon at 70 miles and hour on asphalt. I personally wear my helmet everytime.
I did not when I was younger, and I guess I was rather lucky. Shame from others is what made me start wearing it. that and jumping solid fences on a screwy horse Cross country!

[magicteetango]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqfb4JyOxok

Sorry, it was the first thing I thought of.

I agree, I think helmets should be a requirement. Plenty of top riders have suffered TBIs doing dressage, hacking, whatever. It’s just a pointless risk.

[SLR]

[QUOTE=Snugglerug;7554747]
How on earth does a properly fitted and fastened helmet come off during a dressage test? And if a required helmet is not fastened or is so poorly fitted that it comes flying off while fastened, I would propose the rider should be eliminated. I’ve never seen one randomly unbuckle itself and jump off the head.[/QUOTE]

Because top hats are permitted for dressage.

[arab_roots]

What do you guys think of starting a petition on change.org(I think) If Congress can exert pressure on the NFL for concussions and MLB for steroids why can’t the do it to USEF. I don’t think there is much that we (people in the US) can do about FEI but we can start a movement.

[Appsolute]

@magicteetango;7554787

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqfb4JyOxok

Sorry, it was the first thing I thought of.

I have watched that video on mute, and even without hearing her stupid drivel - she ummmm, doesn’t come off as the sharpest tool in the box. Maybe she didn’t completely recover from that head injury like she thought.

I am ready for the end of the penguin suit! Its SILLY, looks RIDICULOUS, and is totally impractical.

I personally think THIS and THIS looks sooooo much better than THIS!!

William’s get up reminds me of this… and that is not exactly synonymous with “athlete.”

When is the bon fire party?

[rhinestone_cowgirl]

I can’t remember off the top of my head who it was, but one of the riders at Rolex rode one dressage test on one horse with a top hat and another test on a different horse with a helmet on. What would be the reason for the swap?

[gr8fulrider]

How about a grassroots movement requesting a rule change?

Or better yet, a grasstops movement. If the owners tell a rider they prefer a helmet, my guess is s/he will wear a helmet.

[wildlifer]

[QUOTE=Sannois;7554467]
I still say unless it is a junior young rider, it is the individuals personal choice.
I am tired of people telling others how they should live.
I wear a helmet, but if an adult chooses not to that is their business.
Sorry just how I feel.[/QUOTE]

I am a person who has lost the person I loved and thought I would spend the rest of my life with, to a TBI (not horse related and not his fault, but it doesn’t matter to my shattered life) a few years ago. I am still dealing with PTSD. So I will not apologize for saying that no, there is no instance in which ANYONE has a legitimate excuse to not wear a helmet.

I honestly don’t care what the person on the horse decides, because it’s never just about them – parents, partners, children and friends who love and cherish and possibly depend on that rider DO NOT EVER deserve to suffer this kind of debilitating loss and pain. I will never be the same again and unless you are the worst kind of self-absorbed person who does not care how their actions may affect those closest to them, it is quite simply not even a choice, and should be an obvious and unquestioned habit.

[Carried_Away]

[QUOTE=rhinestone_cowgirl;7554862]
I can’t remember off the top of my head who it was, but one of the riders at Rolex rode one dressage test on one horse with a top hat and another test on a different horse with a helmet on. What would be the reason for the swap?[/QUOTE]

It was Buck…there was speculation about why on a different thread…some thought owners, some thought it was because the 1st horse was unpredictable. Although just did a quick check and his 1st ride is owned by the same owners as Reggie, who he wore a top hat on as his 3rd ride.

[Lady_Eboshi]

[QUOTE=Appsolute;7554825]
I have watched that video on mute, and even without hearing her stupid drivel - she ummmm, doesn’t come off as the sharpest tool in the box. Maybe she didn’t completely recover from that head injury like she thought.

I am ready for the end of the penguin suit! Its SILLY, looks RIDICULOUS, and is totally impractical.

I personally think THIS and THIS looks sooooo much better than THIS!!

William’s get up reminds me of this… and that is not exactly synonymous with “athlete.”

When is the bon fire party?[/QUOTE]

I don’t have a problem about a change to helmets. But I’d like to see jackets of one kind or another stay. Half the attraction of dressage is its elegance; for anyone who’s not 95 lbs. and an A-cup, it’s very hard to pull that off wearing skin-tight polyester everything; in WHITE no less. The ubiquitous spandex gym clothes don’t enhance the picture for me. And in theory, the rider is not the “athlete.” The horse is!

[SGray]

[QUOTE=Sannois;7554784]
I understand, For me it is a no brainer. I live in a state that revoked the requirement for Motor cycle riders to wear helmets. Everytime I see a bare head flying down the highway I think… WHY, your head is like a ripe mellon at 70 miles and hour on asphalt. I personally wear my helmet everytime…[/QUOTE]

FOD = future organ donor