Let's Talk Helmets

First of all, let's just get this out there: the minimum number of helmets that a rider needs is clearly one. The maximum number is more of a mystery. Until recently, I had four. One is old. It never hit the ground, but after five or six years of living in our brutally hot and long summers, most helmets should probably be retired. I keep it in storage just in case I need one in an emergency. It's an Ovation Sync. I really liked that helmet.

Ovation Sync

Helmet number two is also an Ovation, and I hated it from the moment I bought it. It's called the Competitor, but it was always ugly. It's covered in black velvet and seems more than a little dated. It lives in my trailer as an emergency show helmet in the event that I get tossed and crack my go-to show helmet.

It clearly did nothing for my riding.

Helmet number three is my Ovation Glitz in black - are you noticing a theme? I LOVE this helmet and have purchased at least THREE of them. Besides being super stylish and more than reasonably priced, it fits me perfectly. No more mushroom head. I use this helmet for daily schooling rides. 

Helmet number four is another Ovation Glitz; this time in navy. This is my regular show helmet. My show coat is navy, and together they look quite dashing.

Four helmets seems like quite an acceptable number. Each helmet serves a purpose although not necessarily a good one. That velvet covered thing has got to go. With that in mind, I recently purchased a second Ovation Glitz in black for those days when coats are waived, and I wear my burgundy show shirt. I just didn't like the way it looked with the navy helmet. That brings my number up to five. I haven't even worn it yet.

Can't wait to show in this lovely thing.

If five helmets is starting to sound a wee bit excessive, six helmets is going to push me firmly into the category of hoarder. I have to admit, I just purchased YET ANOTHER Ovation helmet. Hear me out. When I bought the black Ovation Glitz, what I really wanted was a burgundy helmet but knew (without even looking) that a burgundy helmet was not going to be in my price range, if one even existed. And then the strangest thing happened. My trainer, Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, sent me this text.

Notice anything? Anything at all?

I glanced at the link and almost had a heart attack. An Ovation helmet in burgundy!!!! I clicked on the link and my bubble burst. Tack of the Day only had it in navy. Secretly, I was sort of relieved as I had just bought a brand new helmet, and well, I currently have five helmets. Yes, I need to get rid of the velvet monstrosity and the Sync is there just in case, but still.

Ovation Jump Air Helmet

But you know, I just couldn't get that helmet out of my mind. While it looks sort of pink in the photo above, Ovation calls it maroon. The more I looked at it, the more I decided that it was meant to be mine. I started searching for it in earnest. Riding Warehouse carries it in black/black and black/gray, but those are the only colors available right now. As I searched one site and then the next, I finally hit paydirt.

Hot Deals and Manufacturer Closeouts are my best friends.

Adams Horse and Pet Supplies isn't my favorite online store, but I have perused their website a time or two. Shipping isn't free unless you order $100 worth of merchandise, but you also don't have to pay California's ridiculously high sales tax either. The hot deal with shipping came out to $80.88. Given that the navy version  is going for $68 over at Tack of the Day, I felt that the price (even with the shipping) was fair.

How great is it going to look with this shirt?

The helmet should be here in a few days. Now my fingers are crossed that it fits as great as the Glitz and that it truly is maroon and not pinkish. It's a gamble for sure, but I think it was worth it.

Time always tells, doesn't it?