Horse Riding Helmets – Which One Is Right For You?

For a new rider, horse riding clothing can be confusing. Whether it’s horse riding boots, horse riding breeches, or anything else related to riding, there’s never just one kind, is there?  Instead, you get confronted with a bunch of different types, each designed for a completely different riding style or purpose.  What’s a poor newbie to do?

One bit of horse riding gear that can be especially confusing for the beginner is horse riding helmets. Some helmets are sleek and dark and covered in velvet; some are bright and colorful and look like bicycle helmets; some have visors, some look like cowboy hats, and only a few are allowed in the show ring.

So which horse riding helmet do YOU need?

Well, the answer to that question depends on what kind of riding you’re doing. Since I don’t know — despite my super-duper psychic abilities — I can at least walk you through the various types of horse riding helmets, tell you what they do and where they’re used, and let you decide which one is right for your head.

Show Helmets

Show helmets are pretty much what they sound like: helmets that you wear to shows. They’re more formal looking than other horse riding helmets, but otherwise have pretty much all the same safety features. For most English riding disciplines — Hunter, Jumper, Dressage, etc. — you’ll need a show helmet if you plan to show.

Classic Show Helmets

These are the helmets most people picture when they think of equestrian events. Modeled after the English hunt cap (which is basically just a velvet hat that offers no actual protection), classic-style show 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. 

Modern Show Helmets

Newer style show helmets are sleeker, more abstract versions of the classic helmet’s hunt cap look, and look a bit like polo helmets.  They’re still darkly colored — generally black or dark gray — but often forgo the 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 has also contributed to the helmets being nicknamed “skunk helmets.”

Of the two, I personally prefer the newer, sleeker helmets. They have a little bit of a sporty, sci-fi look to them — which I love — and strike me visually as more of an athelete’s helmet than a piece of purely traditional garb. Of course, that’s just my opinion. Whichever style you like best, a show helmet is what you’ll need if you plan to ride in any sort of official event.

Schooling Helmets

Schooling helmets are also pretty much exactly what they sound like: they’re helmets you wear for schooling, aka lesson riding. Although they protect your head the same way show helmets do, schooling helmets are way more informal and way less expensive. This means that not only can you express your own 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.  Basically, unless you have money to burn and your favorite color is black, you’ll want to pick up a schooling helmet.

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