.

[Touch~of~Gold]

.

[sooner]

I believe that we are seeing many more Charles Owens at the shows now is becuase they have such a wide range of models. They have a model to fit every type head. And correct fit translates to more safety. However if a GPA fits your partcular head that should be the deciding factor.

[Jumper6252]

I'm seeing more Charles Owen's but the GPA speed airs are also very popular. But you should get what fits you and what you find comftorable.

[snaffle635]

In my area, I'm seeing more CO's than GPA's. If you want something stylish, consider getting a CO in a different color - brown, grey, or a custom color. Check out out SmartPak for custom options on the CO's.

[Go Fish]

In my area, I'm seeing more CO's than GPA's. If you want something stylish, consider getting a CO in a different color - brown, grey, or a custom color. Check out out SmartPak for custom options on the CO's.

I think a lot of people ride in the COs because they are cheaper. Personally, I think the shape of them reminds me of a Nazi infantry war helmet, or a salad bowl.

I'm on the West coast and the GPAs are still very popular. Buy what fits your head - that's all that's really matters!

[Dun Ciarain]

GPAs are still more popular for jumpers, especially the speed air.

[twobays]

Buy what fits your head and budget. GPAs have been around for years...they're a classic.

[Bearhunter]

It is just a matter of taste. On the West Coast, the COs are more popular in the hunters; the GPA (speed air) is big in the jumper ring. In my opinion this is because the CO is more classic in it's appearance than the speed air (though I LOVED it when shopping recently for a new helmet but didn't buy it for the reason that I ride hunters and it wasn't classic enough for me.) There are many people who still favor the Textium GPAs in the hunter ring however and you should buy what you like and what fits your noggin. ;)

[TSWJB]

i wanted to get a CO. but every time i try them on, they dont fit my head. i have a round head. and CO's seem to fit oval heads. have they made some new ones for round heads?
i bought a GPA because it fits my head. i dont like how they will not let them go on sale though. that is against what our country was built on. free trade.

[twobays]

i wanted to get a CO. but every time i try them on, they dont fit my head. i have a round head. and CO's seem to fit oval heads. have they made some new ones for round heads?
i bought a GPA because it fits my head. i dont like how they will not let them go on sale though. that is against what our country was built on. free trade.

It's also a violation of antitrust law. Why hasn't someone gotten on this? :lol:

[TSWJB]

seriously twobays,
i dont know how they get away with this. every time i go to a sale like bevals, everything is 20% off except the GPA's.
a tack store should have the right to sell something for whatever they want. to over inflate the price just so they sell for alot more money is not right.
that is why i wanted a CO. but they never fit my head right.

[Dun Ciarain]

seriously twobays,
i dont know how they get away with this. every time i go to a sale like bevals, everything is 20% off except the GPA's.
a tack store should have the right to sell something for whatever they want. to over inflate the price just so they sell for alot more money is not right.
that is why i wanted a CO. but they never fit my head right.

I know that at least in the past, Rolex watches could never be sold at a discount during a sale unless the the dealer got special approval from the company, which almost never happened. It is not a totally uncommon thing to set minimum prices for retailers to sell specific goods.

[bizbachfan]

they have the same thing with Golf, Ping was not allowing any discounts, not sure if its still that way.... so it must be legal or it wouldn't be happneing across the board.... or would it?

[Ben and Me]

GPAs have been around for years...they're a classic.

Ok, this made me giggle. I remember the first thread on this board about GPAs when they first appeared at WEF. People were having heart attacks. Classic? ;)

[hntrjmprpro45]

I think buy whatever suites your taste. I personally like the look of a GPA over a CO.

About GPA's not being on sale- I bought one on sale through Dover for $250 (originally $400ish). I haven't seen any sale that big since but they will occasionally knock down the price by $50 or so in their sales catalogs. You just have to keep your eyes out!

[Dun Ciarain]

Ok, this made me giggle. I remember the first thread on this board about GPAs when they first appeared at WEF. People were having heart attacks. Classic? ;)

Something that is popular these days for more than two years makes it a classic! :lol::lol::lol:

[Rafiki]

First, what I love about most of these posts is that people are saying that fit matters. Find a helmet that FITS your head. There's no point in wearing the "in" helmet if it gives you a helmet that is dangerously unstable on your head. If you fall, you want the best fit you can get.

At the Maclay Finals (I watched equitation not hunters, sorry) the split between CO and GPA seemed pretty even. They both have a different look and fit. Find what fits you best.

Rafiki

[wildlifer]

Buy what fits your head. Don't bother getting your panties in a twist about what other people wear -- it's nothing more than a waste of energy. Channel that energy into something useful, like horse training, instead.

[JinxyFish313]

When a retailer agrees to carry a product, they sign a document saying they will adhere to the MAP pricing, and you need special permission to mark an item down for a sale. There's nothing illegal about that.

I went to Bloomingdale's this weekend and literally every shoe but the Ugg button boot I wanted was on sale. That's life. Manufacturers know when they have a hot product that a majority will pay full price for.


I prefer the look of the GPA, but not on myself. I had one for years that fit okay but looked like a mushroom. Same with my carbon fiber ATH. I recently switched to a CO and like the fit better, and it looks a bit less mushroomy. I got the JR8 so it was pretty cheap too.

Whatever fits you best and looks the best ON YOU, TO YOU will look better than whatever is most trendy but not meant for your head, because not only is the right fit more important than the style, the right fit will LOOK best too.

[InWhyCee Redux]

....if "everyone" started wearing black pleather breeches with pink glitter stripes down the leg, would I wear them? Try one of the new IRH helmets with the mesh strips, on sale. I get comments on mine all the time; fits as well as any CO I have tried and looks better than a GPA, IMHO. Black mesh on black looks fab.

http://www.irhhelmets.com/ATH-SSV-IRH-Riding-Helmet-ID-20.html

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

I'm probably really uncool. I have some helmet that (I subsequently found out after purchasing) is from Europe and you can't even find it in Dover, Smartpak, etc. I fogot what it's called. It's black and velvet-like.

Whatever shall I do...probably nothing since it fits my head!

Get what fits your head.

Antitrust law would kick in if GPA had the marketshare cornered. They don't so I think they are safe.

[BAC]

Just buy what fits your head best, forget about what is currently "fashionable."

[JinxyFish313]

....if "everyone" started wearing black pleather breeches with pink glitter stripes down the leg, would I wear them? Try one of the new IRH helmets with the mesh strips, on sale. I get comments on mine all the time; fits as well as any CO I have tried and looks better than a GPA, IMHO. Black mesh on black looks fab.

http://www.irhhelmets.com/ATH-SSV-IRH-Riding-Helmet-ID-20.html
I haven't seen that before. It looks a little like a speaker grill/cover.

[ToTheNines]

I love my IRH Elite. Looks great and very well ventilated. I wipe mine off when it gets dusty with a spray bottle containing diluted Murpheys Oil soap and it is plently nice enough for showing.

[Oldenburg99]

Something that is popular these days for more than two years makes it a classic! :lol::lol::lol:

My GPA has a manufactured date of 2000. I don't know that, that makes it a classic but they have been around a while.

They are expensive because they have the best harnesses, highest technology, and greatest shock absorption.

However, I have heard that CO has a better replacement policy. If a fall compromises the integrity, they will give you a percentage off wholesale price on your helmet if need to replace for 3 years.

But that's just what I heard, I don't know if its true. So IMO, its a toss up. Hopefully you won't need to replace your helmet because of a fall but I guess its peace of mind to know CO is protecting your investment for that long. IRH Elite have become popular in VA like someone else said. I would definitely go try several different brands on to find what suits you best. Good luck in your search:cool:

[skrgirl]

They are expensive because they have the best harnesses, highest technology, and greatest shock absorption.



My GPA has been knocked off my head twice, once while mounting when the horse reared and hit its neck on my head and once the other day when I was getting ready to lunge and the horse tossed its head and hit my helmet. Both times my harness was clipped. Both times the harness came un clipped. After the first issue GPA replaced the clip. Then it happened again. Doesnt say much for their harness. Im back to wearing my Charles Owen.

[Dun Ciarain]

My GPA has been knocked off my head twice, once while mounting when the horse reared and hit its neck on my head and once the other day when I was getting ready to lunge and the horse tossed its head and hit my helmet. Both times my harness was clipped. Both times the harness came un clipped. After the first issue GPA replaced the clip. Then it happened again. Doesnt say much for their harness. Im back to wearing my Charles Owen.

I went flying head first through an oxer while wearing a GPA and my helmet took multiple hits from a number of the many poles. My helmet stayed on and I didn't get a concussion even though I basically hit head first. It was only my third fall after many years of riding, but I was sure glad to have an excellent helmet given the severity of the fall. The unprotected parts of my body didn't fare as well.

[Houndboy]

George Morris wears a GPA. If George wears one, they must be in style!

[Kaelurus]

Ok, this made me giggle. I remember the first thread on this board about GPAs when they first appeared at WEF. People were having heart attacks. Classic? ;)

Hahaha, I remember when they first came out... I thought they made the riders look like skunks. There was nearly a mutiny when my then-trainer wanted us to buy them!

[dani0303]

I will always be a GPA person. Why? Because I have yet to find a CO to fit my rediculously round head. Trust me, I'd love to pay $200 less for a helmet but such is life

[Jumper6252]

I will always be a GPA person. Why? Because I have yet to find a CO to fit my rediculously round head. Trust me, I'd love to pay $200 less for a helmet but such is life

Me too. I have tried every CO on that they have and not one looks remotley ok on me. It teeters on the top of my head. I LOVE how my speed air fits or anyother GPA.

[klmck63]

I will always be a GPA person. Why? Because I have yet to find a CO to fit my rediculously round head. Trust me, I'd love to pay $200 less for a helmet but such is life

Me three. I love it anyways, just don't love the price tag.

It has saved my brain from getting a concussion on a couple occasions. I have noticed that unless you check it every once and while the chinstrap wiggles much looser than it was originally adjusted. Could be the source of the 'not staying on the head' issues. Just have to remember to check it.

Re: replacement policy, GPA replaced my helmet after a crash for $150, but I think the helmet has to be pretty new to qualify for that.

[Madeline]

I think a lot of people ride in the COs because they are cheaper. Personally, I think the shape of them reminds me of a Nazi infantry war helmet, or a salad bowl.

I'm on the West coast and the GPAs are still very popular. Buy what fits your head - that's all that's really matters!

Thank you! I thought I was the only one who thought the CO's look like that. Even when they fit they look much too big. ..

[twobays]

When a retailer agrees to carry a product, they sign a document saying they will adhere to the MAP pricing, and you need special permission to mark an item down for a sale. There's nothing illegal about that.


Um....no. That's highly illegal. Ask any antitrust lawyer. A company can't force their distributers to sell at a certain price. They can SUGGEST a price, but they can't sign a contract that explicitly agrees to hold the price at a certain point.

[Madeline]

My GPA has a manufactured date of 2000. I don't know that, that makes it a classic but they have been around a while.



And you didn't replace it in 2005 foe what reason???????

[Horseforthecourse]

There are a lot more COs in my area in the hunters, but it really doesn't matter. It probably does have to do something with affordability. Me, I'll stick to the GPAs. I don't think there is a more comfortable helmet.

My friend wore her GPA in a class full of COs in her first AA show a few weeks ago, and she pinned 5th in her under saddle class out of 18. The judges really don't care. Don't do what everyone else is doing just to do it. That makes you a loser:winkgrin:

[mg]

I love the way my GPA fits. That being said, I took up eventing this summer and got a CO J3 this fall and I lovelovelove it. The only non-skullcap made by CO that fits me well and looks decent is the Wellington Pro. I would suggest that for those who the GPA fits well. The GR8 looks idiotic on me. I think I insulted a Dover sales associate when I tried one on at the store, looked in the mirror and exclaimed, "Oh my god, I look SO STUPID."

But agree with everyone else: for for fit over "fashion."

[poltroon]

Ok, this made me giggle. I remember the first thread on this board about GPAs when they first appeared at WEF. People were having heart attacks. Classic? ;)

Yes, I too am an old fogey. :D

[poltroon]

My GPA has a manufactured date of 2000. I don't know that, that makes it a classic but they have been around a while.

They are expensive because they have the best harnesses, highest technology, and greatest shock absorption.

However, I have heard that CO has a better replacement policy. If a fall compromises the integrity, they will give you a percentage off wholesale price on your helmet if need to replace for 3 years.

But that's just what I heard, I don't know if its true. So IMO, its a toss up. Hopefully you won't need to replace your helmet because of a fall but I guess its peace of mind to know CO is protecting your investment for that long. IRH Elite have become popular in VA like someone else said. I would definitely go try several different brands on to find what suits you best. Good luck in your search:cool:

Actually the safest helmet in independent testing is the super-cheap and far more 'classic' (in that it has been around the longest) Troxel Spirit. :)

But all the approved helmets are very acceptable and provide good protection. The nice thing about the standard is that you can pick any approved helmet based on the fit and aesthetics and feel good about your selection.

The one thing though is that that protection doesn't last forever. If your helmet was made in 2000 it needs to be replaced. The materials degrade over time, even if there was no impact.

[fourmares]

Be different... get a black velvet helmet. :) Skunk helmets are fugly.

[Oldenburg99]

And you didn't replace it in 2005 foe what reason???????

Oh I've replaced it and bought another GPA. My first one is sitting on my closet shelf. For some reason I can't bear to part with something I paid $450 for. :confused:

[Ozone]

I love my GPA - in style or not. However, it really does not fit my head all too well. I am considering a Gr8 but still, I am a bigger fan of GPA's

And... I secretly LOVE my older then dirt (not classic tho ;) IRH! Perfect fit!

[JinxyFish313]

Um....no. That's highly illegal. Ask any antitrust lawyer. A company can't force their distributers to sell at a certain price. They can SUGGEST a price, but they can't sign a contract that explicitly agrees to hold the price at a certain point.

They can sell an item for whatever they want, they MAY NOT advertise it for a discounted rate without permission from the distributor or manufacturer. And its kinda hard to sell a sale item without advertising the sale. Again, nothing illegal about that. I don't know of ANY distributors who don't have MAP pricing policies.

[LARGEBORE]

Just saw an awesome helmet on the market in Europe that is supposed to come to the US soon.
Not much money, kind of like they forgot to price it sky high to make it ultra cool. But it is.
Looks like it will go up against CO as it has all the safety certifications and detals of a CO.
It looks different, not a copy cat helmet. It is not as fussy, a cleaner look. really nicer to my taste.
But then again everyones taste is a bit different.
I think it will be brought in by Ovation...

[mypaintwattie]

A classic velvet helmet never is out of style, and so many different manufacturers make a velvet model you are sure to find one that fits your head properly. I am going back to velvet this season, my skunk stripe IRH will be re-commissioned as a schooling helmet.:cool:

[Ben and Me]

I'm pretty sure I got a 10% discount when I purchased my GPA - my local tack shop (Triangle Horse Sports in Raleigh) knocks 10% off of every item in the store as long as you're on their mailing list...Or at least they used to! :)

[Callison]

They can sell an item for whatever they want, they MAY NOT advertise it for a discounted rate without permission from the distributor or manufacturer. And its kinda hard to sell a sale item without advertising the sale. Again, nothing illegal about that. I don't know of ANY distributors who don't have MAP pricing policies.

I worked for a sporting goods store for quite some time while I was in college and when Under Armour came out they had the exact same policy. Not only were they not advertised as on sale but if a item was marked down the sign could NOT say how much the price originally was. If UA found out about it they would no longer stock the store with product. (at least that is what we were told as associates). Now that UA has become more established we are now able to advertise a item at a sale price. But it happens once in a blue moon!


I have 2 GPAs and my older 1 doesn't fit all that well. It's the Titum and my new Textium fits MUCH better. I was going to need a new helmet soon so I tried on some COs this summer and they just did NOT fit my head at all. I tried every style on and it seemed like I would have needed to purchase one that was at least 4 sizes bigger than my GPA so it wasn't giving me a intense headache. I gave up and bought the Textium.