top hats

[xena_n_joss]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Im just wondering, what can people start wearing top hats. Obviously I know you dont go all out with the big fancy top hat and shadbelly until much later levels.. I just mean the smaller type top hats. I have seen people wearing them at lower levels sometimes but I was under the impretion that you dont wear them until later levels?#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#This is just something I think about now and then so its probly time to get the answer. I know alot of people now prefer to wear a helmet for dressage also.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Piaffing]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Yes you can wear the top hat at any level. I do it all the time.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Chisholm]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Well once a upon a time you had to earn your way to wearing a top hat , but now you can wear when ever you want.  You can wear one for riding walk/trot tests, and I have seen it done!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#But it is not wise to wear one if you have a horse that can be explosive at the lower levels, doesn't look good.  I learned that lesson 2 years ago.  Chis gave me a major bucking fit in warm up and all I could think of is I am not coming off wearing my brand new top hat.   I hope this year is a sign that I can start wearing mine next year when I do second level.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Guineapigger]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#ha ha Chisholm, I agree - I am not really into top hats, but I remember heading into this season humming and hawwing over buying a hunt cap - I think they look so sleek and elegant, reminds me of the days when, as kids, we all had the snap out harnesses for hack classes (kid's brains were of less value back then).  #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#In the end, horse made decision for me - I would have been NUTS not to wear approved helmet!  Now my concern is whether my approved helmet will stay "show worthy" for long enough to get me to the day I don't need it and CAN switch to a hunt cap - at the rate I am going, I might have to buy another!!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Chisholm]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#GP that's why I bought a cover for my helmet, just a cheapy Greenhawk on.  It's great, easy to put on  and off and keeps the helmet looking new.  Now my old one the last time I showed in it I was embrassed it look so bad. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[xena_n_joss]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#lol that would have definately sucked big time Chis.... I have a hunt cap that I wear for dressage right now. Its getting really old and faded though.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Ruth]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I always wear a helmet. My horse has been known to make determined attempts to remove me from his back in the ring on occasion. No matter what level I'll always wear a helmet for safety. With the previous horse, who was pretty well bombproof I did used to wear a bowler, but it would blow off occasionally during mediums so I gave it up.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Rapla Farms]

With the previous horse, who was pretty well bombproof I did used to wear a bowler, but it would blow off occasionally during mediums so I gave it up.

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#hahaha - I understand that!  One time I had my bowler fly off half way through my test and landed exactly on X.  Of course, at the end of the test, I had to halt at X.  I came down the center line and was thinking "gee....I really don't want my horse to trample my brand new bowler."  So we did a nice halt in front of it and lost a few points.  I guess those were marks I was willing to give up!  Since then, I learned to duct tape my bowler to my head.  Hurts taking it off, but looks nice while its on!!!!  #ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys//smiley20.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[xena_n_joss]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#owwww.... duct tape??? That must hurt alot. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[zooka]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#the only rule I know with top hats is that you must be over 18 to wear them.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Fritz]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Another something to think about, I have scribed for a number of judges who have commented how they think wearing a top hat for Training or First/Second level is unneccesary and on many looks foolish.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[xena_n_joss]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I dont think its a matter of being uneccesary or necessary because it is a choice decision. My understanding is that if you want to do grand prix in your helmet you are allowed to. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Though I would agree for training it is uneccesary... But zooka, did the picture of Galen not have your coach in a top hat anyways? And Galen is only doing training level. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Im not talking the big fancy top hats, just  the small ones the are only a couple inches tall, or a bowler... If your horse goes great and doesnt act like a goof I dont think its so ridiculous, if your horse is over achieving and your pulling 30's and 40's then ya, I can see a problem...  #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[zooka]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#yeah my coach will wear a top hat when she feels that Galen is going well.  If she has any doubts she will wear a helmet.  It is a nice look at any level as long as you can have a nice test at the same time and are not flying around.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#As for having the hat blow off this weekend my coach figured out how to secure the top hat so it was not going anywhere.  She took the elastic that is attached to the hat and wrapped it around her ponytail.  That kept it very secure so she did not have to borrow my smaller one that cuts off the circulation in her head #ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Happy/9.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Patricia]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Ouch....duct tape....have you never heard of hat pins.  When I rode in my top hat I used a long hat pin on either side on windy days to secure it to my hair...NO ouchies....LOL!  Some do have an elastic like Zooka said....not mine though.  #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Xena:  I have never heard of a top hat a couple inches tall....LOL!  The thing would be airborne riding the centreline.  A top hat is a top hat.  Some eventers/field hunters have a taller one...I have the dressage style/lower...but it is at least 4-5 inches tall.  I was told in lower levels you could wear a bowler...then in higher levels a top hat and that was at Med 4 or higher...so I guess that would be about level 3 or 4?  #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I did years ago ride in my helmet in warm up and if my highly animated horse behaved I would ride in my top hat.  I showed Basic IV and was training Med I and II.  Although, I did have some show where the surroundings caused him to be down right tense and explosive and safety was more important NOT the look.  I think in the lower levels the judges comment is right it looks ridiculous....#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[zooka]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I forgot to mention that yes you technically can wear a helmet all the way up and in Grand Prix but you will be hard pressed to find a nyone who does.  I have recently been talking to people about that and what most agree is that it is all about the look.  By that stage it is believed you should have control over the horse so it is more about maki9ng an appearance and looking the part.  Even at this moment I only know of one person who wears a helmet at prix st george and sticks to her beliefs about safety over look.  I salut her but you will not find many who will follow in her foot steps.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Chisholm]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#The rule was changed just a few years ago.  Kars Riding School here in Ottawa lobbied to have the FEI rule changed to allow Helmets with the Shadbelly.  Before you had to wear your Helmet with the short coat, which looked off at Grandprix FEI.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#So we have the one rider that wears a hard hat with her tails.  And it bugs me no end that they are constantly bugging people about wearing a top hat instead of a proper safety helmet.  I mean their point is valid but it's everyone's choice as to what they choose to wear.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[xena_n_joss]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#patricia.. I think you misunderstood, there are smaller top hats and the tall top hats... The one I refered to which is a couple inches tall is the smaller one. It think they are around or 4 inches tall. Then there are the very tall ones that the grand prix riders wear...#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Patricia]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Xena....most Grand Prix riders that I know and have seen tend to wear the low version of the top hat.  There are different brims/peaks to chose from to give the hat a different look--some curl more on the sides and some are flatter.  I guess it is a matter of style.  A few men have the taller variety and I have seen it for full dress hunt.  I think the taller variety is outdated.  I did see some of the eventing men US Team wear the taller still....#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Talking about head gear....is that your horse in the avatar..NICE!  BUT the rider has NO helmet!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Patricia]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Xena....most Grand Prix riders that I know and have seen tend to wear the low version of the top hat.  There are different brims/peaks to chose from to give the hat a different look--some curl more on the sides and some are flatter.  I guess it is a matter of style.  A few men have the taller variety and I have seen it for full dress hunt.  I think the taller variety is outdated.  I did see some of the eventing men US Team wear the taller still....#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Talking about head gear....is that your horse in the avatar..NICE!  BUT the rider has NO helmet!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[xena_n_joss]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#haha thanks patricia... yes that Is my horse... she has a big head lol... and yes I know, no helmet... Im bad... I hate wearing it though, I know its not safe. I wear it for jumping though. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#