Editor’s note: Are there any western riders out there who wear helmets? If yes, please send us your helmet wearing stories and photos (admin@riders4helmets.com)…the more we share stories of helmets in western disciplines, the more acceptable it may be. If anyone from the AQHA reads this, can we please discuss provide education of helmets, concussions, Traumatic Brain Injuries etc with your membership? We would genuinely like to partner with the AQHA to educate people on safety.
“Hi. My name is Alyssa and I have a strong passion for the AQHA world. However, sometimes I feel I am the ONLY person there that considers helmets important. I will admit, the first few times I showed AQHA I got sucked into the “you have to have a hunt cap or a western hat to compete” so I took off my approved helmet only for my classes.
However, last fall I sold everything that isn’t approved and decided I was no longer going to get sucked into the vortex. But, it is VERY lonely in the AQHA world – especially showing in the western classes where you so NO helmets. You rarely will even see approved helmets on young kids. It is a sad thing but I am determined to make a difference.
I ride in a Charles Owen Rider helmet for my show one – It is low profile and looks most like the regular hunt caps we see on our circuit. Next year I hope to be showing in western riding classes as well with my helmet.
I recently also gave up my non-pro card and have decided to teach a few lessons and help local 4-H kids. Although I can not show non-pro anymore, I adore helping the youth in my area and have to compete with the big boys now when I return to AQHA – IN MY HELMET.
Not sure what I am asking for – just sharing my story I guess. I hope to make a different in the AQHA world, but even if I don’t I know I am being true to my character and beliefs by keeping my approved helmet on.”
Alyssa Zirbel
De Pere, WI
Good for you, so proud of someone that cares and besides I think helmets look great, Hunt, english or western!!! My grandaughter is 8 and shows western walk trot in a helmet that goes great with her show shirt!! couldn’t be prouder. and after a fun ride myself just goofing around on an old broke horse something happened and my helmet hit the wall of the indoor arena, and broke, and my grandaughter saw that, I think we’ll all always wear them. If the AQHA show ring ‘disses’ we can find other places to ride and enjoy.
I sure am proud to say that I know this young woman and she is a wonderful role model and inspiration to everyone she meets, youth and adults alike! My two youngest daughters grew up riding with her, learning from her and watching her…and any mother would be lucky if their children emulated her! Change comes hard, but as Alyssa’s generation teaches the generation coming up, change can happen. If anyone can do it, Alyssa can!
I have been a helmet user now for a long time. I pushed through the first requirement for helmet in all classes at a county fair in IL. McLean County is a huge horse show and ALL the riders all the time have to have a helmet on when mounted. EVEN in costume if mounted. I cannot see the problem, AQHA get on the band wagon and show the world you really care about your exhibitors all of them child and adult alike.
I think in our Wisconsin barn there is possibly only one person that does not wear a helmet when riding, English or Western. There is no age limit, we range from high school to retirement age and we all wear them. We host the local college equesterian teams and a speed team and it doesn’t matter if they ride at home or away, they’re using helmets. I’ve noticed nationally the majority of speed eventers not using helmets, but this summer I’ve seen more, including adults have started using helmets. It may seem slow but the movement is growing. Yes, the AQHA needs to get on board. I dropped my membership because it doesn’t provide anything to members that don’t show.
Oh Mary, you and your family are so sweet! Thank you for being such a supporter of my adventures.
Love to hear that there IS support for me out there. I will keep riders4helmets posted on what is next. It only takes one great horse and a rider willing to stand up for what they believe in to make a difference, let’s hope I can do both with my gelding.
Good for you Alyssa! If only most people would wear a helmet you would not stand out from the crowd. We hear so many stories at our store, and the bad accidenets always seem to happen when you least expect it. It is crazy to ride, as everyone does, on unfamilier territory, with strange horses, with no helmet. Pllease post pics when you show Aqha again – with your helmet on!
I commend Alyssa! I recently took my greenbroke 4-year-old gelding to his first show, a little local one. I had my pretty western outfit on, and I was debating whether to wear my helmet or my western show hat that looked so nice with my outfit. My 11-year-old daughter looked at me and said, “Momma, you always wear a helmet, he’s still a baby, it’s his first show, he’s never been in an arena with so many other horses, how can you even think about not wearing your helmet?!” Needless to say, I came to my senses and forgot about the “pretty hat.” I was the only western rider in a helmet, felt a little funny, but I knew it was the right thing to do. We all need to just do the right thing. I agree with Rosemary, the more of us who do, the more “okay” it will be.
Alyssa, I beg to disagree with your wearing of the helmet= you only briefly showed AQHA, without the helmet, and extensively at the Creek Veiw shows, also without a helmet. Hmmm, wonder what that means? I have nothing against showing with a helmet, just telling like it is, or was, in this case. I also know that there were no Creek Veiw shows this year, Im speaking of preivous years.
K.Maufort – although I have no idea who you are, you clearly know me. You will read in my original email sent to “riders4helmets” that I did in my previous years of showing get sucked into the “you have to have a hunt cap or western hat” to be competitive. Although always schooling in one, even warming up at shows I certainly did take off the approved one and put on the stylish one before entering the arena. I also did in few times showing as a Nov. Am in AQHA before I started teaching local lessons and giving up my Ammy card. I will NEVER back away from the fact that I did show without an approved helmet at one time. There is NO one that will get me to say otherwise – I will not hide from the past.
From 2012 and beyond that will be no more. I showed all of 2012 (only open shows, didn’t get to any breed) in an approved helmet in 100% of my classes, including the western ones. I will continue to do so in the future. I apologize if you feel the need to pick apart my story, but I never hid from the fact that once upon a time I did pick style over safety, even before your comment.
Alyssa
AQHA members can submit a rule change requiring certified helmets for all hunt seat riders (as in USEF rules). See Rule 445b in AQHA rulebook, which can be modified to match USEF.
Helmets are a personal choice. Personally I do not wear one. I have been tossed several times from a horses back and have been lucky to not hit my head. However, it is my fault for each and every time I have fallen due to la k of preparedness. I have hurt my back on the falls. What contraption shall I wear to prevent that? Perhaps we need a NASCAR styled HANS device to prevent neck injuries.
Like I said, its a personal decision but way too often I see helmet wearing riders on unsafe horses. So many people refuse to do proper ground work and other training. In my area we had a recent head trauma injury when a girl was hit by a truck while riding in the road after dark! If she’d had a helmet it would have helped. However, I wish as much effort was given to proper training and desensitation of the horse. Last night I had an online battle with some know it all about saddling a horse in a stall that you hadn’t been on for a couple months! Wear a helmet and all is good! As the redneck comedy boys say ” you can’t fix stupid”