It took me a little while to realise that most of the riders this morning working on the flat in the grass arenas, or just around the park were not wearing helmets, but instead the old-fashioned velvet, hard hat.
Although I’ve got used to seeing riders wearing helmets for all phases now in the States, rather like driving on the left hand side, seeing them in their hunt caps over here seems to go with the territory. I happened to walk past the Patey Hats tradestand on my way somewhere later on, and the situation was still weighing on my mind so I stopped to talk to the salesman. It might not have been very good timing because he seemed affronted that I would even suggest that Europeans be made to wear helmets, and said he’d just told David O Connor the exact same thing! He was somewhat more tactful on video, but I fear change may be a long time coming to this part of the world.
Patey also makes other hats as well as the traditional hard hats and top hats.
I’d like to thank Paul for talking to us. I suppose the key here is we can all make up our own minds…..
For more information on rider safety and helmet awareness, please visit www.riders4helmets.com.
Thanks for reading, strap one on, and Go Eventing!
