Gertrude asked:
i am going on a horseback riding vacation where ill be doing a lot of jumping so it is mandatory to get a protective vest. I am thinking of getting the Tipperary eventing vest, and i did some research and a lot of the top riders wear it and love it but on most of the sites i havent found any safety standards. I found on one site (i forget which) that is said that it complied with the BETA safety sandard, but on the Tipperary official website it didnt list any safety standards under the vest at all. I emailed the manufacturers and asked what safety standards it complied with, and they said it complied with the BETA safety standards but they didnt tell me which level
sry this is kinda long i guess my main questions are: are there any reliable sources that show that the Tipperary eventing vest is safe enough, and if you have it any thing i should know about it. website is here….
http://www.phoenixperformance.com/products/Product.asp?pid=1015&cat=C001&subcat=
thanks!
thanks for the replies! by the way, i am not planning on buying them as they are very expensive… probably borrow one from a friend
horseback
horseback
Tipperary are wonderful vests, very comfortable. They are great, however, they do not meet they highest safety standards. But I look at it this way, after riding in several other kinds of vests. The Tipperary vest is the most comfortable and easiest to move in, as well as having the best ventilation. Other vests where so uncomfortable that it actually effected my riding ability when jumping. Yes, they may meet higher standards, but all vests don’t provide that much protection anyway. I’d rather wear a vest which doesn’t decrease my skill level then one that does. Also, if you are riding in a warmer climate, heat stroke is serious and the Tipperary is the best for keeping you cool. I ride in Pony Club, and the safety commission they have actually is studying to see if the safety provided by the vest is less then the risk caused by the increased chance of heat stroke. They don’t require them because their has been a lot of problems with heat stroke at national championships in the past years.
Back to you main question: Yes, the Tipperary vest is great, and if most Olympic riders choose to compete in a Tipperary, it should be fine for any jumping. And, you shouldn’t overheat.
horseback
Tipperary is one of the leader’s in the industry on safety. I do remeber reading extensively on hunt vests and tipperary is a great name with many satisfied users.
The product compliance letters I look for are SEI , the safety equipment institute, and ASTM the American Society for Testing and Materials. There are other safety institutes as well.
Make sure your own body is up to snuf. Before I go on hunter paces and the like, I make sure my abs are in tip top shape and I work on my endurance too .
Have a great time!!
horseback
Are you only riding on this vacation? Tipperary’s are amazing and are very comfortable– I’ve had mine for 9 years and it has never failed me once. I fell onto a jumping standard and my back wasnt even that sore the next day with it on.. however they can be pretty expensive.
Personally I wouldn’t spend so much on a high quality vest if I was only going to be riding for vacation. Unless you are going to keep riding when you return home I suggest you buy a cheaper used one or ask a friend to borrow theirs. Another good brand but less expensive is Charles Owen.
horseback
I bought one knowing their safety standards are the very highest. It was a long time ago, though, and I bought it through Dover. They listed the safety info. I own a Tipperary vest and helmet, and from all reviews they are some of the safest on the market. I’m not sure where to find the exact safety reviews but I am 100% sure all Tipperary products comply, as they create higher-echelon equipment.