GPA Speed Air for Hunter/Eq?

Question

I want to get a new helmet and have been looking at the black on black Speed Air. This weekend at HITS many jumpers were wearing the Speed Air, but I wondered how it would go over in hunters & equitation, where Charles Owen and Titium are the norm. GPA also has the Air S, which might work. So far I'm only showing low level, but would want to keep it as I work my way up since it's so expensive. (I'm in the Northeast, if it makes a difference by region).

Answer 1

I do hunter and eq courses and I don't remember seeing anyone with anything other than a black velvet helmet. I'm sure they would let you wear it just starting out but the higher level you go the more strict the judges are. Are you planning on just showing at barn shows or going to different places? Barn shows typically don't mind about your tack or anything too much. You should ask your trainer though.

Answer 2

I love the Speed Air and use it for hunters, though I would never take it in a EQ class. The reason being is that the judges tend to be 10x's more picky in equitation because they are looking at you and not the horse. Wear a classic GPA or Charles Owen for that. That is why I own the Speed-Air and the Textium. But, in the hunters, no one cares about the Speed-Air. Just make sure to get the all black one, because it looks more traditional. I even saw riders wearing them at the world hunter finals agains the US and Europe in vegas!

P.S: Overall the helmet may not be what is trendy right now, but I hate that hunters think they can only wear what is in style. The helmet costs about $150.00 more then normal so you think they would GO FOR IT because it costs more. If the judges dont care, go for it, you owe your fashion sense in hunters to no-one and as long as it is modified traditional (like the speed-air) do what you want, you may start a new-trend.

You will love this helmet, it keeps your head so cool! BTW thanks for posting on my rant fourm, its nice to know others feel the same way!

Answer 3

The black on black doesn't look too bad, the black/grey is fugly! I guess I'd check with my trainer on that one. If you haven't noticed anyone else in your area wearing it for hunter/eq, I wouldn't  - you do not want to be a trendsetter in the hunter ring! Let someone else do it first.

Answer 4

The Charles Owen is a much safer helmet. It is also a lot more comfortable.

I hate to say it but the amount of $ that you spend on a GPA is only buying you the name not ribbons or safety.

I have a good friend that feel in the jumpers and her horse hit her helmet with his hoof, split the helmet into 5 bits and she lost 6 DAYS of me memory.  Read this link about the Charles Owen http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2008/03/...

I know that the helmet that they show is not "HITS" worthy but the GR8 is made to the same specs.

EDIT- Charles Owen is made in England- England has the highest safety standards in the world. They test the helmets for impack as well as for crush resitants. They are the only helmets that carry 5 different saftey ratings. I will tell you that GPA lost the astm certification in the USA a few years back because the helmets did not pass the test, funny thing was none of the helmets were pulled off the shelfs in this country, they just didn't ship any more till they retested.