[partlycloudy]

I'm working with my friends paint filly and she would like me to take her to a show. Being a mainly dressage queen, I religiously wear my helmet. my friend presented me with a lovely brown leather helmet...it will match the chaps I'll be wearing.
Will this be acceptable in the western world?

[danceronice]

You might get some funny looks, but honestly, that's what I plan to do if I show western again--either get a Troxel Sierra that coordinates with my clothes, or just wear my Troxel Dakota that I use every day. AFAIK, they can't penalize you for it, and if you wear a helmet for dressage (NOT a discipline I associate with helmet-wearing, actually, in fact probably the English discipline LEAST likely to use them) then you probably don't care if people think it doesn't "go." It's YOUR HEAD.

[Grataan]

Being a mainly dressage queen,

I can tell I was up all night, because I read this as "being a MANLY dressage queen..." lol

Are we talking A circuit or local? I think you'll be fine. One of my good friends shows on the APHA circuit and says there are occasional riders in helmets that match their outfit/pad and they seem to score well (or not) based on their performances not their helmet.

Technically on the Arab circuit judges are NOT ALLOWED to penalize one for choosing to wear a helmet over a hat (headgear is required, choice of helmet or cowboy hat up to rider)

[Plumcreek]

The breed show judges will not penalize a helmet wearing rider. Seen mainly on kids in the show ring even at high levels now, however wearing one as an adult will be fine. Just tell them about Courtney King Dye if they ask.

[redears]

Wear it!

I used to show western games and was usually the only one of two (the other was DadSaidNotTo from this forum!) with a helmet on. Who cares? And I used to show with the western saddle clubs association and they penalize you for your hat following off, no problems with that with a helmet.

I also fell off when my horse put the brakes on early coming in from keyhole and hit my head... now cowboy hat would have protected me the way my trusty Troxel did.

Here are some photos of us... photos by Jessica Berg Benson (County's wife)

http://images40.fotki.com/v1338/phot...racie01-vi.jpg

http://images31.fotki.com/v1100/phot...racie02-vi.jpg

http://images52.fotki.com/v637/photo...racie05-vi.jpg

http://images108.fotki.com/v1354/pho...racie08-vi.jpg

http://images30.fotki.com/v50/photos...racie11-vi.jpg

http://images30.fotki.com/v476/photo...racie06-vi.jpg

Then a couple years ago a friend and I went to a team sorting day and we both wore helmets (she even used english tack!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F2tbBzgj_I

So, strap it on

[AmandaandTuff]

^
I did team sorting on a gypsy vanner stallion in english gear The other participants weren't happy about a stallion, so the barn owner was my partner on a mare.

I'm proud to say I was sporting my puple and black FLAME helmet

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...270953_1-1.jpg

I wear one all the time. Most of my showing is done on green horses now and I'd rather look out of place with my helmet than hitting my bare head on the ground if I get tossed. Even riding a world champion pleasure horse I wore a helmet. I wear them at work, home, and show.

A friends mom always wears her helmet when she rides. Too much can go wrong.

I even talked a cowboy into wearing a 'skid lid'.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...83702_4418.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...353_444840.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...353_394046.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...53_3178017.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...53_3177971.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...53_3177786.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...53_3171935.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...006_2884-2.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...353_566146.jpg

Here is in a hat:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...353_2863-1.jpg

Here's in a helmet, can you really tell?
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d7...53_2758168.jpg

[SLW]

Wear the helmet- it's your life your investing in. If you have time you could fiddle with this helmet shade to "soften" the look: http://helmetshades.com/decorating.htm

A bit of trivia but even in the Rodeo Queen world some of the girls are slowly starting to wear helmets during the horsemanship part of the competition. The judges are told this IS allowed and NOT to be penalized.

[partlycloudy]

Great!
I'll be showing the mare junior western pleasure,trail and horsemanship.
Hopefully start a new trend.

[twotrudoc]

I can tell I was up all night, because I read this as "being a MANLY dressage queen..." lol

Grataan!!!!!!!!!

I can't even tell you what went through my head and then I thought of Lady Gaga in breeches...mercy......she look like a man!

OP--wear the helmet and rock it