I’ve gotten a little safety (over)cautious lately, and dont want to flip my hair into my helmet(like i have done for 30 years lol).
At home I ride with a pony tail.
Ill be showing really local stuff next year- do I braid my hair, or do I put it up in one of those dressage bun clips? Or something else? What are people doing that’s not the traditional flip the pony tail into the helmet?
It’s kinda too bad I loved how clean it looked.
I guess I could chop it all off haha.
Aside from helmet fit, what’s your concern with the pony flip? I always thought, if nothing else, it’s an extra layer of protection!
Im not comfortable with how the helmet fits with my hair up in it- just being extra cautious. i want it to fit as “properly” as it can
Interestingly, the VA Tech helmet study discussions included a hypothesis that having hair up in the helmet added an additional slip plane, which is beneficial in case of impact. No studies on this so far.
I understand that that doesn’t impact your decision since you’re saying your helmet was fitted with your hair down and fits best that way.
If you can do a bun without pushing the helmet up on your head, I would do that. Otherwise, if your hair isn’t long enough to obscure your back number, a braid would probably be tidiest!
My hair is medium length (a couple inches past my shoulders) and thick, so I really don’t like how it fits under my helmet. I do a low bun just underneath the back of my helmet. I prefer to cover the bun with a thin neutral hair net instead of anything with bows or bling like you might see in dressage.
So far no one’s noticed or had an issue with it on our local hunter circuit. It’s still neat and tidy, plus I can do my hair once for the day and not worry about fussing with it when my helmet comes on or off.
I do as Amy posted. Nothing fluffy just neat tidy bun. Usually I use two hair nets.
Ok I’ll have to practice different buns with one or two hairnets and see what looks good:) thanks guys, any pictures?
Do you fan your pony out across the top of your head? I have long thick curly hair and I have to really fan it out so its flat and leave the low pony hair tie peaking out.
I’ve done a single braid or a bun. The braid is more comfortable for me.
I have long (almost to my waist) curly hair and have always showed with it in a bun under my helmet with a hair net over it. Like you, my helmet fits best if I wear it outside of it, so I tightly put it in a bun and secure it with 2 hair elastics and then put a hairnet overtop of it.
The first 2 pics were from a few years ago and my hair was just past my shoulders. The last pic was from a few weeks ago and my hair is almost to my waist now.
No one has ever mentioned it being “wrong”, untidy or any comment on it really - judges or my coaches. As long as its neat and tidy and you are safe (as in helmet fits best), you are good to go!
Thanks for the photos it does look super neat and tidy
Braids for jumpers, buns for dressage. I have used a “bun donut” for a low bun. I never put my hair into my helmet.
A safely fitting helmet is #1 in my book.
My helmet doesn’t fit with my hair up in it (I always ride at home and show the jumpers with a low pony) so when I show in the hunters/eq I put it in a low pony covering my ears, braid it down my back and stuff it inside my show shirt/jacket! You’d never know; the high collar of the show shirt and coat hide everything. I don’t have a hairnet on in this photo, but you could throw on an Ellsworth hairnet to complete the look and no one would be the wiser.
*The outline you see on my back isn’t from my hair, but my body protector under my coat.
I have long hair that’s pretty fine, so a bun by itself is a sad little crumple with lots of flyaways. I use a bun form, the mesh kind that dancers use, and hairnets. Voila!
Can you say a little more about the body protector under your jacket – what do you use? (not to divert the thread but this is something I’m interested in!)
I use the Charles Owen/Airowear Shadow back protector and love it 
It’s a little more noticeable in that grey coat, partly because of the color and partly because it is my tightest-fitting show coat. My others are a bit looser and it is virtually undetectable!
Thank you! That’s cool!
Apologies for the poor quality photo - took a pic of the mirror lol. I braid my bangs back separately and clip them since they’re not long enough to fit in the ponytail.
thank you! that looks very tidy.
IMO wear it however you like. Even in hunter land things are changing. Coats are getting more color etc. So long as you get eight perfect fences and all your lead changes the judge should reward you. I don’t buy the it’s distracting argument because have you seen the body positions and flipping and flopping of some of the pro riders?
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
