for the past.. i dunno... YEAR ive been looking everywhere for a new show helmet (prefferably a classic velvet one) but i have some serious problems... my head is about the size of jupiter and my hair is REALLY thick. So i have a really hard time finding a well fitting helmet, mostly beause of my head i need one thats deep and covers my head more (if you know what i mean- bad at explaining). I have tried just about every helmet dover advertises- charlses owens, Internationals, etc

the only helmet that fits me the way i like right now is a GPA, so should i just break down and buy one or does anyone have the same problem i do and knows of a good helmet brand??

They have like oval ones or circle ones or whatever to fit different shapes of your head.. my helmet isn't a very expensive one but it fits really good and works great. So don't always go by the brand, go for the shape that fits the best. Like at first I tried on a circle one but it was a little tight on the forhead then I tried on an oval one (in the same size) and that made all the difference. So maybe you just need a different shape?

Really, if it fits the best, I think you go with the GPA. I know how expensive they are, but they're durable and basically all you see on the show circuit these days. I know one IHSA coach who wouldn't let the kids show unless they had a GPA. So it's not like you'd be wearing this unpopular helmet. I'd go for it.

I have freakishly thick curly hair...even when I straightened it I have A LOT of hair to put up in a helmet.

My old helmet was just a traditional velvet troxel. What agood helmet it was. And it has an adjustable leather harness. It was a good helmet.

Though, I crushed it in my last show fall, alas it is time for a new one. And I do believe I'm going with either an IRH or the GPA, I haven't looked or tried any on yet. I'm procrastinating.

GPA or Charles Owen GR8. i ride and show in both. they are both comfy but i like the GR8 more but they are still both wonderful helmets and both are also in style and come in lots of colors and styles one of those i would recomend anyday!

i have a charels owen too...i ride in them for schooling and shows and i have a gpa for jumper shows i like them all but my fave is the charels owen gr8! its the best!!!!!!! but gpa is good too soo what ever feels comfy!

what color??

i have a charles owens gr8 too olivia! (as u know) but anyways i would go with barnbums's request unless you are looking for something a little cheaper. if you are i would look in a dover mag. or something for helmets!

i like the Gr8 a lot too, but i have already tried one on and it doesnt really fit me very well. I had the right helmet size but the helmet isnt very deep so it just kinda plops on top of my head. Same with the hampton and Whittaker

barnbum [quote]what color??[quote]

i have the black on black for my show charels owen gr8 and fot my gpa i have black on black and i use that for jumper shows and for schooling my charels owen is navy and charcle becasue navy and grey is part of our barn colors soo it is perfect lol

gr8: black on chacol
gpa:black on silver

If you find one that fits that isn't velvet you can get helmet covers.

im selling my gr8 cause its too big and i dont fit my head lol but ya....velvet helmets never go outta style

haha wow i'm responding so much later but i was looking for this thred! I have the same problem as some of you. I went helment shopping today because i have a show in like say two weeks. And i have a troxel gran prix but its old and worn way down. I really wanted the GR8 but my head was to small and it just sat their not really molding to my head. So we tried the GPA and of course it fit perfect my mom was not to happy seeing as the price but it looks like its our only hope. I was not the biggest fan of them since there not as low profile but idk what do you guys think of them for the hunter ring?

go w/ the gpa if it fits. i buckled down and got one off ebay from a saddlry that was closing one of their locations and liquidating that stock, so it was super cheap. It is comfy and extremely cool. i haven't sweated in it yet.