The Horse Riding Clothing and Saddle Blog

Elegance and safety? English riding helmets have both. If you like the traditional look and feel of the English riding style, then you’ll love the classic silhouette of the English riding helmet. And if not having a debilitating head injury is something you appreciate, you’ll also appreciate the English helmet’s strength and protection. Of course, there are several different kinds of English horse riding helmets, including two kinds of show helmets — modern and classic — and a colorful array of schooling helmets. So, which English riding helmet do YOU need? As you can probably guess, the answer to that question will depend — this time on where you’re riding and why.  If you’re showing at an equestrian event in front of judges, you’ll need a show helmet.  If you’re lesson riding, a schooling helmet is a better choice. Which style and color are right for you? Well, that brings us to decision time again…

Choose an English horse riding helmet from a category below…

Show Helmets are pretty much what they sound like: helmets you wear to shows. They’re more formal looking than other horse riding helmets, but will still protect your noggin in a fall (or kick). If you plan to ride in front of judges for Hunter, Jumper, or Dressage, you’ll need a show helmet.

Classic Show Helmets
(for Dressage, Hunter, Jumper, Eventing)

Classic show helmets are what most people picture when thinking of equestrian events. Modeled after the English hunt cap (which is basically just a velvet hat that offers no actual protection), classic helmets are darkly colored — usually black — and either covered in velvet or given a finish (or cloth cover) that resembles velvet. Unlike hunt caps, show helmets actually do protect your head, usually have some form of ventilation hidden under the surface, and strap on for a tight fit. Click the classic show helmet to learn more…

 

Modern Show Helmets
(for Dressage, Hunter, Jumper, Eventing)

Modern show helmets are sleeker, more abstract versions of the classic hunt cap look. They also owe some of their atheletic appearance to the shape of the polo helmet.  Still darkly colored — generally black or dark gray — modern helmets often forgo the traditional velvet cover for a matte, sometimes textured finish. Many of them also feature a central, highly visible ventilation stripe which helps to keep the rider’s head extra cool, but also contributes to the nickname “skunk helmets.” If you like this look as much as I do, click the modern show helmet…

 

Schooling Helmets are what you wear when lesson riding. They’ll protect your head like show helmets, but are far more casual-looking and thus inappropriate for show riding. The good news? School helmets are way cheaper and you can wear them in tons of fun colors, allowing you to really express your own barn rat style.

Schooling Helmets
(for learning Dressage, Hunter, Jumper, and general riding)

 When riding for lessons or while practicing, riders have the option to wear schooling helmets. Though they protect your head the same as show helmets, schooling helmets are way more informal and way less expensive. This means not only can you express your personal style with one of the many fun colors available, you can also save your much more expensive show helmet from all the wear, tear, dust, and dirt of daily or weekly lessons.  Unless you have money to burn and your favorite color is black, you’ll want to pick up a schooling helmet.

NOTE: Even though schooling helmets look a bit like bicycle helmets, they’re very different. A bicycle helmet WILL NOT protect you from the sort of forces and damages you are likely to experience in a horse riding accident, so please make sure you purchase a proper, ASTM/SEI certified helmet that’s made specifically for horse riding.

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