Body armour!

[NightFury]

Even though I am but only a happy hacker I always wear my body protector since DMare is a bit doolally. I have decided that the time has come to replace my 15 year old Harry Hall nipple-pincher vest with something up to date, modern and effective.

I am so out of touch with what people are wearing nowadays since over here even hats are looked upon as optional by most so do you have any advice for me? I've been to a couple of tack shops who've tried to flog me things that cost around 250 quid - is this reasonable? Anyone have experience of airjackets? Is buying on-line a total no no?

Thanks for any tips.

I saw some of the air jackets at Hickstead and they looked fab but I think they have to be worn in conjunction with a normal back protector so you would have to buy both I suppose. May be wrong though.

Have you seen some of the footage of the falls on the air jacket website? It is hard to believe that anyone walked away from some of them..... Amazing. I just know that were I to invest in one I would forever be setting if off as I dismounted!

i have the latest BETA L3 rodney powell bp as i event and break young horses. i think mine was around £200 and never by online always get it properly fitted. i wad told i would of broken my back and maybe my neck if it wasnt for my bp and hat. also most tack shops provide a good free fitting service.

Um. Not the tack shops here I'm afraid. Think I might have to go to Germany to get one - thanks.

I'm pretty sure the air jackets as worn on their own. I'm seriously considering one for DD. They are expensive yes, but I've seen them go off and I think they are amazing. Also, they are a little less restricting than a normal BP so more comfortable.

It says on their website "Q. Is the jacket BETA approved?
The Point Two air jackets are currently not BETA approved. They have been designed as a top up protection system to wear along side a BETA or European standard approved body protector."

Also, Horse and Hound has an article about the launch of the children's version here and it says "The jacket is designed to be worn over a body protector."

I stand corrected. that puts me off a little. Makes you even more bulky. I do like them in principle though.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. It is a shame though, it would be great to get rid of bulky body protectors wouldn't it.

One of the horse magazines said a new body protector is being launched in December.

We need one for dd, who is really sensitive about constrictive clothing . I think two layers are unlikely to be acceptable!

We will also have to go to a 'nice' place to have her fitted or she'll never get on with one.

DD tried on a range of BPs at Burghley (where they have a huge choice of makes and specialist fitters). We bought her the Rodney Powell one which zips up the front and seems comfortable and practical.

We'll buy her a Point2 jacket when she starts jumping bigger obstacles or cross country and of course is bigger herself.

Point2 are working on an integral BP design for their inflatables. They are working with Ruby Walsh on getting one made for jockeys and I presume when they are mastered this it will become available to us all.

Our GodD uses one for eventing and is very reassuring - although she has set it off a couple of times when dismounting!

Thanks, Butkin. Useful info.