British Dressage - Issue 2 2021

Page 44

ASK THE EXPERT.

ABOVE: A NEW RIDING HELMET STARTS WITH THE DREAM DESIGN FOR AESTHETICS, AIRFLOW AND COMFORT.

HEADING FOR SUCCESS AS DRESSAGE BIDS A FOND FAREWELL TO THE TOP HAT, CHARLES OWEN’S DESIGN ENGINEER MATT STEWART LOOKS AT THE FUTURE OF THE RIDING HELMET AND HOW IT IS EVOLVING TO OFFER IMPROVED PROTECTION WHILE MAINTAINING HIGH AESTHETIC APPEAL.

Q

How is a safety helmet constructed and what are the materials used? How has this changed in recent years? The basic construction of a helmet is a hard outer shell and an energy-absorbing inner. ey materials are S or fibreglass for the shell, however, we use other supertough innovative materials too. The energy absorbing liner is usually a high impact EPS, but again, there are new, exciting materials like our Viconics liner which can take multiple impacts.

Q

How do they differ from helmets designed for other sports? This depends on the sport. Cycling helmets for example, are much lighter and have more ventilation. But the extreme energies, force and impacts involved in

44 // Issue 2 2021 // BRITISH DRESSAGE

horse riding require more absorption and protection, therefore the standards are higher.

Q

Is an equal level of protection needed all over the head or are some areas more vulnerable, and if so how does this affect the design and construction? he protection offered is pretty e ual which is a result of years of research and development. Any vulnerabilities in prototypes are quickly rectified or improved as we have an onsite lab.

Q

How is the balance achieved between the helmet providing su cient protection and still being comfortable and looking good? There is always a battle between protection and aesthetics. Riders want to be safe but equally don’t want to be riding in a

motorcycle helmet. They need ease of movement and a wide range of vision. We’ll sit down with our designers and engineers and start with the dream helmet design for aesthetics, airflow and comfort. hen we make adjustments over several months, involving testing hundreds of prototypes, which ensure the helmet exceeds the highest British safety standard (PAS015:2011) and we’ve ticked all the boxes!

THE EXTREME ENERGIES, FORCE AND IMPACTS INVOLVED IN HORSE RIDING REQUIRE MORE ABSORPTION AND PROTECTION

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