Bovon:
I am positively intrigued…for neither have I EVER seen an MFH nor a staff member wearing a bowler (except at related hunting events such as hound shows or carriaging etc.). Bovon, may I respectfully inquire exactly where you viewed hunt staff and MFHs tooling around in bowlers? VERY curious…I guess just when you think you have seen everything! 
PS
The older Locke and Christy Beaufort helmets…la creme de la creme. Positively gorgeous…deep backs, lush velvet, lovely profiles, no ghastly chin straps ever! And so-so-comfy with the thick and plush deep satin covered insides - I have yet to see any modern day helmet begin to equal theirs in cushiness. The older black helmets would fade over the years to brown, and navy ones to purple!
They were commonly referred to by foxhunters as “brain buckets.”
In the past, the staff always wore huntcaps all the time, but when our current huntsman came, the staff started wearing the bowlers in cubbing season, and it has continued thru this day. I very rarely see anyone wear a bowler in formal season anymore. Things change. As far as the bowler staying on, mine fits snugly, and I have yet to have it come loose.
Yes, things sure change…I grew up wearing a bowler every Saturday morning surinf formal season! Never came off either. How I miss gentlemen in scarlet with TOP HATS! Always such a wonderful sight in the field.
Just wanted to clarify that the CO Hampton is ASTM approved.
The only CO models that are not approved are the Ascot and the Beagler. The GR8, Hampton, Showjumper, and Wellington are approved.
Thanks for the refresher - I knew there was a second unapproved CO helmet but wasn’t sure of the name.
I wear a Charles Owen showjumper. I sacrificed tradition for safety.
One of my pet peeves is field members who wear unapproved hunt caps. They’re not safe, and they’re not “correct” on field members. Hunt caps are for staff. Field members are supposed to wear bowlers or top hats. Most hunts have relaxed that restriction and allow approved helmets (preferably black velvet) for safety.
If you want to make a choice between safety and tradition, choose one or the other. But a field member wearing a hunt cap is being neither safe nor traditional. Some people prefer hunt caps because they think they’re more attractive than helmets. That may be true, but if you’re not staff, you’re not entitled to wear one. That’s just like wearing a scarlet coat when you haven’t been awarded that privilege, just because you think it looks better.
If you’re staff, ignore the above rant.
Sorry folks I misspoke on the bowlers. (but it was kinda funny to see the response.),:winkgrin: I think what I meant was a hunt cap…looks like a helmet but has no strap and doesn’t protect anything?
Actually, “grooms” could always wear a hunt cap - as well as always dress in tweed. Former MFH’s and other professionals could also wear hunt caps. Usually, the other professionals were also dressed in tweed and hunted in the back of the field. That was the protocal when I was growing up eons ago…
Glad you clarified that, Bovon!! 
The only time anyone I know wears a derby now is at hound shows - they look really neat there! That is, when everyone is on the ground, not on a horse… :lol:
Yeah, that would be a hunt cap NOT a bowler. A bowler, also known as a derby, is usually made of wool and looks like a hat you would see in old English films on the heads of bankers (if I had a picture I’d post).
And as far as people being on their high horse about wearing an approved helmet or not…I’m sorry but most of us are adults and can make our own decisions. The guy I work for on occassion (ex-MFH and steeplechase trainer) is quadrapalegic and was wearing an approved helmet when he fell. Also have a friend who was schooling a horse at a summer camp when the horse spooked and she fell…took her 3 months to remember her name. I’ve had 3 concussions while wearing approved helmets, but I still wear my hunt cap out hunting…and god forbid a top hat with even less protection! I think sometimes when I’m wearing them I’m more concious of things I’m doing and more likely to stay on because I know I’m not wearing protective headgear!Let people choose what they want to wear. If you fall the wrong way, no matter what type of helmet apparel you are wearing, you might get hurt.
Now, I’m going to get off my own soapbox, and appreciate it if others do too. I think adults can make up their own mind!
Here are some pictures of a bowler/derby:
http://www.fellponysociety.org/Newsletters/1968/QueensCouncil_small.jpg
http://www.igallopon.com/images/2006/219/sidesaddle.jpg
ahh to be a slave to fashion…I guess anyone who ever wore heels knows all about that, huh (I’ve got the damn bunions to prove it!!)…and If you’re a man wearing high heels well…that’s for a different forum, huh:lol: I do appreciate that saying though…“if you think your hair is more important than your head, it probably is…” Now if I could just get a pair of unbreakable legs…I’d be good to go…(coulda used one of those last year!
My sparkly orange Troxel.
How gauche.
A colored helmet should always match the saddle pad and lining of your Melton. So if those are orange too - you’re ok.
Don’t forget the lipstick - orange is a difficult shade to match. I suggest black lip liner, lots of gloss, and blaze orange livestock marker. It’s very waxy and will last for the entire day.
You’ll look smashing.
[QUOTE=meupatdoes;2457407]
My sparkly orange Troxel.
:P[/QUOTE]
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