Conference noted::equitation

That's interesting; I wasn't aware that event riders were using 
'back protectors...' My guess is that they are similar to a motorcycle 
racer's "gold belt."

I've been using my brother's "gold belt" for back support while I ride
for a number of years (I even use it when I'm not riding).  I think it's
also called a "kidney belt," but I may be wrong.  It's about 10 inches
wide and made out of a stretchy material and is secured by velcro.  

If what I've described is what you're looking for I suggest you call your
local Kawasaki dealer (or any motorcycle dealer)... I'll also ask my brother
where he got his.

Melinda

	 They're not quite the same. There are actually two 'flavors' of
     protectors.  The earlier model that is (off) white, hi-density foam
     and  somewhat  pear-shaped  where  the  strap that holds it on goes
     around  your  waist.  It  is generally worn under the shirt to help
     keep  it from 'flappin' in the breeze' as you gallop. It covers the
     majority  of  your  spine  (it goes below the belt line behind) but
     provides no protection for the chest.

	 The newer  model  is  actually  a  vest with the foam being all
     around  your trunk. There are velcro adjustment straps on the sides
     to  allow for custom fit. Thes can be had in your stable colors and
     are  worn  over  your  shirt.  It looks a lot like a down vest with
     vertical  sections.  Again,  they  are  slightly  longer in back to
     proctect the hips/lower back.

	 The latest  issue  of  USCTA  News  had  an  ad  for a place in
     Ontario,  Canada  that  sells  these  vests.  If  anyone  knows  of
     someplace  in  the New England (better yet, Boston) area that sells
     them, please holler.

    I saw an ad at Stateline tack advertising the protective
    vest that Karen Stives and others wear.  The number is
    603-456-3562 (Runaway farm in Warner, NH)

 We've talked about safety helmets in this conference a couple times but I can't
 find any reference to body protectors. From what I've seen in racing, several
 jockeys have been saved from serious injury by wearing "flak jackets." For 
 example, Eddie Maple(the last jockey to ride Secretariat in a race) was thrown
 coming out of the starting gate a couple weeks ago. He got gallopped on by a 
 couple horses. No serious injuries. Art Madrid was thrown and kicked in the
 back by a horse coming behind his...Doctors said he'd have been crippled 
 without the jacket. With the jacket, he was bruised and sore and only missed
 a couple days riding.

 I'm assuming that some of you 3-day riders wear body protectors so here are a 
 couple questions:
	1. Are there standards for them like helmets?
	2. If not, how do you pick one?
	3. How much do they cost?

    It's probably not much good talking about British standards here
    for Body Protectors, but here are a couple of 'tips' that were given to
    me by an experienced user/fitter.
    
    o Get one that feels comfortable - it it doesn't feel as it will follow
    your shape, you'll resent wearing it. Then a number of things can
    happen  -  The horse will pick this mood up and could give you a rough 
    		ride.  
    	    - You'll stop wearing it
    	    - Your attention will be on the discomfort not where it should
    		be.
    
    o They are all different so  try them all on.  Just because one person
      says make 'XXX' is brilliant, doesn't mean that it will fit you.
      However take note of those people who use them regularly and have
      'tested' them - they'll soon tell you how well they 'bounce'
    
    o Get one with velcro on one shoulder and side fastening (allows you to 
    be slipped out of it in the unhappy event of needing aid).  Those that 
    fasten down the front like a waistcoat are difficult to remove without
    running the risk of aggrevating any injury.
    
    If folks would like I'll check on the British standards and post them.
    Their use, together with hats conforming to set standards,  are obligitory
    in the UK for events and trials.

I bought my body protector a few years ago when I was still trying to teach my 
horse to jump.  I spent a lot of time falling off of him and, after having been 
knocked unconscious in one fall (even wearing a helmet), I decided that a 
body protector was right up my alley.  No, it wouldn't protect my head, but I
had broken a rib once before in a fall (not this horse) and didn't really care
to repeat the experience.  

At that time, about the only protectors that were available were the Tipperary
ones.  They were custom measured to you (and you could design your own, as far
as colors and identifying marks were concerned). These protectors were made in 
Canada.  They were also not subject to US rules and regulations. They are made 
of closed cell foam of various densities, depending on where in the protector 
it is used. (for example, the foam strip that is located over the spinal column 
can absorb a greater impact than the strips in the front.) Closed cell foam has 
pretty good impact absorbing qualities. 

You can now get stock protectors. That's fine if you're a stock size.  They are
minimally adjustable, but need to fit snugly to do their job.  There are still 
only a few manufacturers.  If you want to buy one of these things, I would 
recommend finding a place that does custom orders and find out how one *should* 
fit *you*.  You can then comparison shop and see if you can find a stock model
that you like.  The alternative is a custom order.

There are no standards for body protectors. They are not required equipment,
although from what I can tell, most serious event riders own one.  When I bought 
mine (about 3 years ago) they were around $150, I think.  

As .1 mentioned, you need to get one that is comfortable, otherwise wearing it 
will be a chore and you won't want to use it.  A body protector, like a helmet,
can not protect your body if it is not on it.

Thanks. I think I'll go around to the local tack shop which has a couple 
3-day eventers that double as sales staff. They'll know where to get 'em if the 
shop doesn't sell them.

For those who may be wondering about their effectiveness...Jockey Chris Antley
fell off his horse last Friday and was trampled/crushed when the horse fell 
over him. Antley was not wearing a body protector and suffered 4 broken ribs. 
He'll be out of action for 4 months! This incident was less horrible looking
than the accidents that Art Madrid and Eddie Maple had a few weeks before.

The New York Racing Association(NYRA) is encouraging all the jockeys to wear
body protectors. NYRA is providing the body protectors to the jockeys FREE OF 
CHARGE. Jockeys are allowed to weigh in before they put the protectors on so it 
doesn't count as excess weight. Besides, the models they are using only weigh
2 pounds! 

So, why wasn't Antley wearing one? He's a bone head! To prove it, I'll tell
ya how he fell off! He moved his horse over too aggressively and caught the 
heels of the horse in front of him. His horse stumbled and pitched Antley 
forward. The horse then stepped on Antley and fell down squashing Antley 
underneath him. The horse got up but Antley didn't this time. This time? Yup, 
Antley did the same thing about a month ago in the Spinster Stakes for filles & 
mares. He moved over toward the rail to close behind another horse. His filly 
tripped and fell pitching Antley to the side. That time they both got up. This 
time, he wasn't so lucky.
John

It's a few years later. Are people still wearing flak jackets?
Are there any preferred brands with regards to comfort?

Thanks
Vicky

    Most eventers were the body protectors. I have a Tipperary that's about
    6 years old and I love it. It's pretty comfortable. There are more
    brands around now as well as more styles than when I bought mine and
    more tack shops are carrying them.