Body protectors.

[greengreyblue]

My DD is 21 and looking to buy a body protector. She rides regularly and is jumping low level barrrels in fields. She’s had a fall recently and luckily was fine but I’m encouraging her to buy a protector. Would any of you recommend any in particular?

Any decent riding school should make it mandatory for a body protector whilst jumping. Is it a BHS yard?
She needs to get one fitted and needs to be most up to date standard ie Level 3 Blue Beta 2018

Thanks. Well when she learnt to ride it was at a riding school and it was a BHS school. She started jumping there as a teen and protectors weren’t mentioned. They were very low poles. Then she had a break and is now riding at an ABRS+ approved yard. She tells me some people have protectors but most don’t and the owner who takes them out doesn’t. We plan to visit a saddlery that has lots of choice but prices vary between £40 and £100. Any reason to spend more if they all meet the required standard?

That's cheap for body protectors. Are you sure they are the new Blue label and not the old purple one? We paid £250 for DDs in January ie the new standard.
DD's BHS + Pony Club approved yard won't let anyone leave the ground unless they are wearing a body protector, adult or child.

As long as they meet the standard you should be fine. Check that it is fitted properly- the shop should be able to help with that, so eg it is not too long in the back. Otherwise cost may affect how bulky the body protector is.

like the pp I am surprised at the lower costs- perhaps that is a child size?

Airowear is the brand and it seems to range from £40 to £160 for ladies.

They have other brands and we will visit and get measured. Thanks for heads up re new standard .

My dd rides professionally and only wears her body protector for XC. She says it alters her position (subtly but enough) and feels she’s safer without it over show jumps. That’s not unusual amongst people who ride for a living ..

The best body protector is the one that fits your dd’s body shape best - DD’s one is the new race safe model (motion 3) which is a lot lighter and more comfortable than her previous body protector but it’s pricey - ~£300 - unless she can fit into junior sizes which brings the cost down considerably

Thanks. She sis petite at 5ft 3 and around d a size 8 so very possibly could

Agree but at a riding yard they should insist on it

I'd be surprised any of the blue label 2018 protectors are that cheap, even for a cheaper brand in kids sizes. As a pp said ours was in the region of £200. Comfort is important too and some can be very bulky! A lot of venues body protectors are advisory rather than compulsory, especially for adults dd1 is 15 and only wears for xc. Dd12 wears hers more but its choice

Another vote for race safe - I've got air motion 3.
They are a game changer & so much lighter & more flexible than previous models. I work with horses so ride a lot & handle youngsters - I can wear it all day & always ride in it & barely notice it's there. The days of 'they're only for XC' are past

It's definitely worth paying extra to get something decent & comfortable - they do wear better than helmets so you don't have to replace after every fall.

I'm a similar size & small chested - I got a youths size so much cheaper.

Definitely get it professionally fitted somewhere with a saddle you can sit in.

Airowear are back protectors only so don't meet standards for competition.
They are very light & comfortable and are better than nothing but to be honest she's better off getting a proper body protector - it's alot more common to break ribs, collar bone & internal injuries in a fall or kick than it is your actual back.

This. Most riders I know only use body protectors for XC and those who do wear body protectors for SJ, wear air jackets.

DD isn’t show jumping or entering competitions. She rides over fields and jumps some barrels. All very low key.

Definitely racesafe. Really comfy and lightweight

Riding + jumping in fields she 100% needs a proper body protector. If she falls on a barrel whilst jumping or a rock/stone she will know about it

Yes that’s why I started the thread.

This!!
I hate wearing a BP. i actually WAS wearing one when i was thrown off and broke my back in 4 places. I still maintain to this day that i would never have fallen off if i wasn't wearing it. i don't even know why i put it on that day.

I don't have to wear it for competing SJ or WHP so i don't wear it unless out on XC.

Please don't go cheap, the range of movement you lose in cheaper ones is insane, its bad enough in the all singing all dancing ones

At those sort of prices you should consider an airbag - about 500 but doesn't hinder your movement at all and v light.

You might find air jackets aren't welcome in group lessons. They certainly aren't at pony club . I've seen them cause chaos. I've also only seen them used as well as not as, not instead of body protectors so you'd have to pay out for both

I'm surprised, lots of people wear them in DDs and my lessons. The horses are completely unbothered when they go off.

I know they are less good if a horse rolls on you but they are supposed to be better in all other cases as they protect the neck and tailbone and too.

Maybe they were banned before they got quieter?

Maybe, but current rules are that they can be used for pony racing or XC but must be worn over a standard body protector. Not to be used in groups/enclosed spaces. It's unlikely the dd in this post needs or wants to go to that level of expense for popping some low level jumps on a riding school horse even if it was allowed.