Charles Owen is a huge, world famous company. Their helmets are beloved by aspiring jumper riders, dressage prodigies, and cross country stars. They have a wide variety of helmets including the AYR8, JR8, V8, SP8, J3, Charles Owen Pro II, Charles Owen Wellington Helmet, Charles Owen Hampton Helmet, and of course, the GR8. I tried on several models, but I found that the GR8 fit my head the best.
I have heard incredible things about the Charles Owen helmets over the years and I've always loved the way they look. They have a very classic feel. As a vegan, I would appreciate the company considering a faux suede model, but until then, I guess I'll mumble under my breath as I slide my helmet on.
I don't have a lot to complain about with this helmet. I have gotten loads of compliments on the way it looks and a lot of trainers assure me it is the best helmet out there. My only complaint is that the Charles Owen GR8 helmet doesn't have any ventilation. Therefore, when I remove my helmet, it often seems a small pond has formed inside my helmet. The inside is lined with silk, but it can only absorb so much. Other models have more ventilation like the AYR8, but I think all models should have a way for air to come in and out.
Overall, although not vegan, Charles Owen is a lovely and highly professional company. Although it can be quite pricey, investing in a good quality helmet is very important. I would recommend this helmet to anyone and everyone!
Monday, September 14, 2015
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Body Image, Racial Issues and Finding Confidence in the Equestrian World
I have been riding horses for about nine years now. When I was younger, I was a little string bean. I never had to worry about what I ate, when I ate, or how much I ate. I just never gained weight. Then, in about fourth grade, I started "developing." I was always growing faster than all of my friends. I started developing boobs, butt, and thighs faster than everyone. At first, I was still slim, but I was very "curvaceous." Then, in sixth grade, I started binge eating to cope with my parents splitting and constantly fights, moving to a new school, not making very many friends, and just hating the way I looked. In sixth grade, I probably gained between 28-35 pounds. Seventh and eighth grade weren't much better. I moved to another school, and made a few great friends which was nice, but I was still binging. By eighth grade, I was quite overweight. During the school year and the summer going into high school, I was constantly yo-yo dieting. I would lose a little water weight, and then get discouraged and gain it all back, plus more. Around September 14th, 2014, I watched a documentary about the meat and dairy industry, and I immediately went vegan. Literally, overnight. In the past year, Ive lost weight, but it seems to have hurt my confidence even more. When I lose weight, I'm happy, but I never feel like its good enough. My entire freshman year of high school, I wore a trench coat. Yes, even in June. I was so ashamed of my body and I was so afraid of being made fun of, it made more sense to me to just hide my body so no one really knew what I looked like.
I have always ridden english, and I am currently hoping to one day compete in the USHJA International Hunter Derby. In the hunter show ring, riders are expected to look perfect. They are expected to move gracefully with their horse and have a nice, clean ride. But, with the ideas and expectations of perfection up in the air, riders can fall under pressure. When people think of eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and other mental health issues in sports, they tend to think of things like gymnastics, dance, cheerleading, running, etc. But no one really seems to think horseback riders can have body image issues in the sport. But, according to a study by the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division in July of 2011, 38.5% of english style riders and 48.9% of western style riders were estimated to have eating disordered thoughts and/or tendencies prevalent. I can only speak from my point of view as an english rider, but I have noticed a theme at the barn. There is a certain "look" that seems to almost promise success and status. The look I am referring to is a slim girl with a white polo shirt, Taylor Sportsman breeches, a leather belt, and tall boots. I understand that is a style worn by a lot of english riders, but it is also a desecrate sign of status and class. I have walked into the barn with my usual oversized t-shirt and old Kerrits riding tights, and have been nearly shunned by everyone in the barn. I've even witnessed adults giving me the "up and down" glance. I ride at a show barn and I feel you are expected to wear this kind of "uniform." But, with my poor body image, I just don't feel comfortable in that outfit. And let me be the first to say, that outfit looks incredible. Whether you're slim or not, I LOVE that look. But, I just don't feel comfortable at this point in my life to wear it myself. And I don't feel like I should be looked down upon for wearing what makes me feel comfortable and secure. Maybe I'm over sensitive, but I think the glances also have something to do with my skin color. Yes, there are riders who are black, hispanic, pacific islander, etc. But it is far more rare than a caucasian rider. Now, I am biracial. I am black and white. I have ridden at a show barn for most of my life and I think there is always a sense of surprise when I walk into the barn. Historically, horseback riding was considered a "rich, white man's sport." Now obviously over the years that state of thinking has changed, but the underlining issues are still there. And maybe its my barn, maybe its my location, but my thoughts are that I'm not alone in the way that I think. Black people, or people of color in general, are often a minority in the equestrian world, as well as many other places in America, obviously. Now don't get me wrong, there are wealthy black families, wealthy hispanic families and wealthy Native American families who are able to own horses, show, etc. But often, that isn't the case.
I would love to help open the sport to ALL races. I believe in equality for ALL. I believe in equality for humans and animals. I believe you should be able to do what you love no matter your height, weight, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. I have seen young girls being harassed online because people think they're too heavy to ride their horse. People think the horse will be crushed or their back will cave in. But it is not your place in the world to tell someone they are too heavy to do something they love and are capable to do. I have seen young girls of color being accused of "trying to be white" by riding horses. It is not you place in the world to tell someone they are trying to conform to a race because they are doing something they love. The horse world was not made for one race or another. It was made to bring horse lovers together.
No matter what size pants you wear, what color skin you are, what accent you have, where you're from, where you want to go, who you want to marry, or who you want to be, continue doing what you love. Don't let let anyone get inside your head because at the end of the day, the one person who will always be there for you is yourself. Don't let anyone make you question who you are or what you're doing in life. You've got one life to live, make it your own and make it count.
I have always ridden english, and I am currently hoping to one day compete in the USHJA International Hunter Derby. In the hunter show ring, riders are expected to look perfect. They are expected to move gracefully with their horse and have a nice, clean ride. But, with the ideas and expectations of perfection up in the air, riders can fall under pressure. When people think of eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and other mental health issues in sports, they tend to think of things like gymnastics, dance, cheerleading, running, etc. But no one really seems to think horseback riders can have body image issues in the sport. But, according to a study by the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division in July of 2011, 38.5% of english style riders and 48.9% of western style riders were estimated to have eating disordered thoughts and/or tendencies prevalent. I can only speak from my point of view as an english rider, but I have noticed a theme at the barn. There is a certain "look" that seems to almost promise success and status. The look I am referring to is a slim girl with a white polo shirt, Taylor Sportsman breeches, a leather belt, and tall boots. I understand that is a style worn by a lot of english riders, but it is also a desecrate sign of status and class. I have walked into the barn with my usual oversized t-shirt and old Kerrits riding tights, and have been nearly shunned by everyone in the barn. I've even witnessed adults giving me the "up and down" glance. I ride at a show barn and I feel you are expected to wear this kind of "uniform." But, with my poor body image, I just don't feel comfortable in that outfit. And let me be the first to say, that outfit looks incredible. Whether you're slim or not, I LOVE that look. But, I just don't feel comfortable at this point in my life to wear it myself. And I don't feel like I should be looked down upon for wearing what makes me feel comfortable and secure. Maybe I'm over sensitive, but I think the glances also have something to do with my skin color. Yes, there are riders who are black, hispanic, pacific islander, etc. But it is far more rare than a caucasian rider. Now, I am biracial. I am black and white. I have ridden at a show barn for most of my life and I think there is always a sense of surprise when I walk into the barn. Historically, horseback riding was considered a "rich, white man's sport." Now obviously over the years that state of thinking has changed, but the underlining issues are still there. And maybe its my barn, maybe its my location, but my thoughts are that I'm not alone in the way that I think. Black people, or people of color in general, are often a minority in the equestrian world, as well as many other places in America, obviously. Now don't get me wrong, there are wealthy black families, wealthy hispanic families and wealthy Native American families who are able to own horses, show, etc. But often, that isn't the case.
I would love to help open the sport to ALL races. I believe in equality for ALL. I believe in equality for humans and animals. I believe you should be able to do what you love no matter your height, weight, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. I have seen young girls being harassed online because people think they're too heavy to ride their horse. People think the horse will be crushed or their back will cave in. But it is not your place in the world to tell someone they are too heavy to do something they love and are capable to do. I have seen young girls of color being accused of "trying to be white" by riding horses. It is not you place in the world to tell someone they are trying to conform to a race because they are doing something they love. The horse world was not made for one race or another. It was made to bring horse lovers together.
No matter what size pants you wear, what color skin you are, what accent you have, where you're from, where you want to go, who you want to marry, or who you want to be, continue doing what you love. Don't let let anyone get inside your head because at the end of the day, the one person who will always be there for you is yourself. Don't let anyone make you question who you are or what you're doing in life. You've got one life to live, make it your own and make it count.
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