| What sort of hat do you want? There are two UK standards:
BS4472 is the "Jockey Skull" type. Most of them look like crash
helmets, and you put a silk or velvet cover on them. You can get them
in the velvet covered "Hunt Cap" style if you look around enough.
If you do any form of cross-country riding then you'll need a hat
to this standard. It's worth trying several makes as they are
different shapes. Most people I ride with use this type for everything
as they are reckoned to be the strongest/safest. Some saddlers
don't stock them as they tend to be more expensive than BS6473,
and they are still regarded as being a biT "professional" by
traditionalists.
If you want a "Hunt Cap" style then it should be manufactured at
least to BS6473; quite a lot of riding schools insist on this as
a minimum.
There are other kinds e.g. the "Jofa" which has a style of its own
and gives ear protection, but the UK standards should still apply.
Where to get them? The problem is that there are a lot of
manufacturers and each saddler tends to stock only one or two.
I'd recommend Gawthorpe Saddlers at Eversley Cross (0734 732293),
Ian McNeill at Medstead (0420 62249) which is good but possibly a bit
far away, or Old Basing Saddlery (0256 23510). If you're going
to Gawthorpe, Wellington Riding (0734 326308) is fairly close and they
have some there. In Reading itself there is Langston's and Aldridge's
but I don't think they have very wide range. I've never been to
Inch's in Newbury, but they might be worth a ring.
If you want any more information or directions please let me know (DTN
843 6069). I think I've even got a recent Horse and Hound describing
hats and standards if you'd like to see it.
Julian
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| There are several riding shops in Newbury, all in the "Yellow Pages".
In addition the Jockey Association right by the bridge has a small
stock of riding wear for sale from its office on the first (second to
Americans) floor, but it's only open Mon - Fri. Centel Saddlery on
Oxford Road is another tack shop in Reading. BS4472 standard hats
offer more protection and I would recommend getting one of those.
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| Thanks for the suggestions! I got my hat (and boots!) on Saturday
at Lyndon Dykes in Newbury. Good prices and excellent service!
Julian - thanks for the advice, we got cut-off, I tried calling you
back, but the number was unobtainable !
Lisa.
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