[NJRider]

I bought a Charles Owen Rider helmet- ugliest thing ever. What is the nicest looking ATSM/SEI show helmet that does not make you look like you have a Charlie Brown head?

[GingerJumper]

I love my CO GR8, but I've also been pleased with my IRH SSV or whatever the initials are. That said, I'm not a dressage rider, but I don't think anyone likes to look like they're wearing a huge mushroom on their head

[2tempe]

I'm on my second CO helmet; really none of the truly effective ones look good, so I suck it up and just cram the bugger on my head. CO fits me better than most of the others.

I figure everyone looks the same w/ their mushroom heads, its not a beauty contest, and when I watch a test, its the horse/rider connection that I watch, not the helmet.

[mjhco]

Find what is comfortable. Some can wear the CO's, some the IRH, some the GPAs.

[DressageRider6]

I have the CO AYR8 and absolutely love it! My head is a rounder shape and its the only helmet I have found the correctly fits my head. This one also seems to have a lower profile so your head doesn't look like a bowling ball. It is a little more expensive than some other CO but its worth it especially if you have a hard time finding one that fits correctly.

[threemagicalmares]

I don't know if Tipperary makes a "show" helmet, but the Tipperary Sportage I have for schooling is a very low-profile helmet. No mushroom-head effect with it at all. The absence of the mushroom-head is obvious, and if I put anything else on I notice.

ETA--Yes, Tipperary has the T2 and T4 show helmets. They were reviewed on COTH.

[Twigster]

I love my CO (most of the time), I would say, whatever you buy make sure you get a well vented model! I have the gr8 and my only complaint is the lack of vents.

[fatorangehorse]

it costs a fortune but feels and looks incredible!!

[FLeventer]

I have the co wellington and the co ayr8 for showing dressage. Both are in navy and match my coat.

[KatherineC]

I just bought a beautiful midnight blue velvet Charles Owens (to match navy shadbelly). I love it because you don't see many velvet helmets in blue and it had a really nice shine to it.

It is also a more traditional shape so no "Charlie Brown" head.

[paintlady]

Find what is comfortable. Some can wear the CO's, some the IRH, some the GPAs.

Agreed.

That being said, Charles Owens were made for my head. I have a Charles Owen Show Jumper helmet for showing. I like the Hampton too, but got a great deal on the Show Jumper.

[baylady7]

Ha, I show in a Troxel, but I do have a big head

[NJRider]

I think I need to wait until I am at a decent tack shop that stocks different helmets and try some on. I am returning the one I bought, it fit like a shallow bowl on your head. Head shapes, etc can really affect how they look once they are on.