Riders with NO HATS at Hickstead!!

[snowflake]

We once again went to the RI this year, & despite having a nice show we were once again shocked at the amount of show jumpers not wearing hats when mounted. We were working in, in the warm up arena, with several other horses & ponies, & there were about 3 riders who had NO hat on. One of which, was on there mobile. There are clearly signs which say 'Hard hats to be worn at all times when mounted' so why do they think it's okay not to wear them? Several others wore hats but not hard riding hats!! It was just funny how it seemed to be the top show jumpers who didn't wear hats not the showing people. What made the matter worse was there were young children riding in the school: these people were clearly putting themselves & others at risk! Read the rules!!!!!!

Rant over!

[pipandwill]

Yep yep yep, we noticed that, their were small children watching some of these top riders ride with no hats! What kind of examle does that set? They can ride at home without hats, but they should abide by the rules at shows, signs/rules are set to keep them and others safe!

Goshhh, sorry about the rant!! HeeHeee

[amanda]

how does the shows public liability see this ?? if a accident who would sue

[armada]

sh1t! I rode my 4 yr old up to the field tonight with just a headcollar and rope, no hat or anything and I was wearing wellies, my mum legged me up and never warned me I had'nt a hat on.
My dog was watching and everything.
Get over it, if the showground rules stipulate you should wear a hat to current standards etc etc, and you choose not to, its your call, as for youngsters being influenced by a hatless rider, I'm not sure it follows, as a kid I never felt inclined to put my pony in a sheepskin covered hackamore although my hero Eddie Macken had Boomerang in one, although I always felt a yearning to have a secure riding position and most enviable lower leg position demonstrated by Caroline Bradley and Liz Edgar.

[pipandwill]

However, riders are definatly expected to wear hats in the ring, weather its jumping or flat showing, so why shoudnt they wear one when warming up?