seabiscuit
Olympic Poster
Olympic Poster
Posts: 840
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Post by seabiscuit on Jan 4, 2008 9:10:35 GMT 1
This is my first post this year so happy new year everyone! It's my birthday soon and I would like to get a new riding hat because my old one stinks....Trouble is, my old hat was bought in the days when you could either buy a velvet riding hat or a jockey skull..now there seems to be so much more choice and I don't know where to start! Lots of people I know have the Champion hats with vents in them, any votes for these (with reasons)? Anyone recommend any others? I am mainly a happy hacker but I'd like a hat that would do for local shows (showing - would the champion ones be okay for this?), and one day I would like to do a bit of fun cross country. cheers!
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Post by MirandaSophie on Jan 4, 2008 9:34:34 GMT 1
If you're looking to do XC too- go for a skull cap- you can always put a velvet cover on them for "posh times"!
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Post by mountaingoat on Jan 4, 2008 10:42:00 GMT 1
I've got a Harry Hall one and I love it. It's breathable, comfy, and looks nice. It has got a fixed peak though so not sure if that would be allowed with XC. It's also very affordable.
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Post by jen1 on Jan 4, 2008 10:43:32 GMT 1
i think mine is called a G8 charle owen? anyway its the best hat ive ever had,
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Post by rach20uk on Jan 4, 2008 10:44:49 GMT 1
With hats they all fit differently so go and get some fitted then decide which you prefer. Many times we've had people in the shop who only a skull cap fits or a vented.They are all shaped and padded differently.
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Post by Fussymare on Jan 4, 2008 10:54:18 GMT 1
Echo Rachel - I had set my heart on a certain type of hat, but when I went along to the tack shop it wouldn't fit the shape of my head. So had to go for a jockey skull instead - and have various hat covers including a couple of velvet ones for posh days. (My birthday is this month too Seabiscuit - happy birthday to you!)
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Post by iwillbuy on Jan 4, 2008 11:01:26 GMT 1
remember to check the standards in the hat aswell what may be suitable for hacking might not be allowed in a show
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cubic
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,286
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Post by cubic on Jan 4, 2008 11:42:28 GMT 1
If you're wanting to do a bit of everything, a skull cap with a velvet cover is most versatile - suitable for XC, local showing and anything in between, being smart and without a fixed peak.
There are ranges of each type of hat. Check that what you get is up to current standards, fits you (with help from a fitter) and is comfortable.
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thelwall78
No Longer Posts on the DG
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Posts: 410
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Post by thelwall78 on Jan 4, 2008 12:52:53 GMT 1
If you want to do XC make sure you mention that to the fitter as there are certain fixed peak hats that aren't allowed for jumping fixed fence courses.
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Post by sidsmum on Jan 4, 2008 13:12:36 GMT 1
I have just bought a new hat, I checked out the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund site, they have done enhanced tests on 'up to standard' hats and have graded them. The Champion Ventair which I think is the hat you are talking about came out well and that is what I got in the end. I was going to get a Gatehouse one but nowhere local sells them and hats are one thing I would not buy mail order. As Rach22uk and Fussy Mare say the fit of the hat is crucial and very individual.
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Post by Susan on Jan 4, 2008 13:38:35 GMT 1
Hats also depend on your own head shape of what fits best, so that really is the most important answer, try them and find the oen for you. I have Harry HAll and yes very affordable but I dont think allowable in X/C.. I found scull caps too round and gave me headache.
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Post by Furiey on Jan 4, 2008 13:49:40 GMT 1
Another vote for go and try them. I did and found some too long and narrow (they wobbled back to front and hurt at the side), others too round (they wobbled side to side and hurt at the front/back). My main criteria was that it conformed to all the latest safety standards and the one that fitted ME best was a Champion Ventair so not too expensive either.
Your head is individual and the makes of hats are all slightly different shapes, so you will need to try them for best fit. Decide what your other essential criteria are (eg: safey standards, allowable for cross country, for showing etc) ie: what you want it FOR before you go. Then be prepared to compromise on the non essentials eg: in my case looks - I would have liked a plain black hat but got one with a silver stripe down the front as to me fit was more important than looks.
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Post by Roz on Jan 4, 2008 15:30:49 GMT 1
I'm a Champion Ventair fan, I love them and have tested out their safety by getting kicked in the head by my horse and the hat protected me perfectly!!! LOL!
As other posters said the Ventair scored very highly on safety testing, (way better than say a GPA) and if you prefer a scull cap, they do Ventair in a scull cap version.
I bought my Ventair on Ebay (brand new) for about £95.
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KateD
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 1,066
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Post by KateD on Jan 4, 2008 15:34:32 GMT 1
I love my Ventair too - they do come up really big though and I ended up having to buy a child size - good though because I didn't pay VAT on mine! I also find skulls pinch the side of my head.
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Post by rach20uk on Jan 4, 2008 15:53:47 GMT 1
Go and try some, see which you prefer that fits your head.
They will all be upto standard for anything you want to do (showing/jumping/xc etc) of as long as you get it from a reputable tack shop or online seller.
Current standards are BS EN 1384:1997 and PAS 015:1998 although some may have the earlier PAS so be PAS 015:1994 - the 1998 revision is to do with crush resistance.
The only time there may be an extra required is when you go to a riding school. Some require the hat to be kitemarked which is a guarantee of compliance so not actually a standard or safety requirement.
If you are wanting to do XC make sure the peak either isn't fixed or is removable (a lot are removable now although velvet show hats aren't)
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