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 Dancing in my Mind
Posts: 3062
  
Location: Eastern OH but my heart is in WV | My daughter started running Jr.HSR this year and only about 3 or 4 kids between both Jr. high and high school wear helmets; with one being her good friend. Both have already commented on feeling funny about not wearing their cowboy hats. However, they know if they don't have it on, they don't ride. As a mother I am so HAPPY to see a pro rider step up and set an example.
I remember when helmets were just starting to be worn by bullriders. I remember all the negative comments being made. However, now it is the common practice, if not the standard. Hope this trend continues. I believe it is the right of each person to decided but I sincerely hope it becomes more accepted.
Edited by Rolling J 2014-12-12 12:42 PM
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 Regular
Posts: 74
Location: North Pole | hotpaints - 2014-12-11 7:48 PM
rodeomom3 - 2014-12-11 7:30 PM Although I don't wear a helment even though I should, you better believe my grandbaby will wear one every time he is on a horses back.
You are going to have to set a good example
This is me. Before having babies I didn't have a care in the world. Now? I'm looking for a helmet that fits me that isn't a jumping helmet. Lol and YES my boys will wear one when they ride. I don't care if they're the only ones doing it. Until they are 18, their little noggins will be protected! | |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11492
 
Location: 31 lengths farms | I dont' think anyone is saying the girls that haven't worn a helmet are selfish nor lack confidence just thanking Fallon for bringing some attention to it and making it "cool" enough that kids who are at the impressionable stage are a little more willing to wear their helmets especially those in associations that require them. No one looks twice at a bull rider that wears one nor tells them their helmet is ugly and doesn't look right in the arena. I remember a few years back with Orereiners (I think that was her BBW board name, Cindy was hurt in the horse accident there were a ton of people on here that pledge to start wearing a helmet. Wonder how many continue to wear it today. I know I don't wear one, I hate even the feel of my hat and merely wear it when it is required by dress code so I'm as guilty as the next person. | |
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  Fact Checker
Posts: 16572
Location: Displaced Iowegian | Bug Is Alive - 2014-12-12 11:37 AM ThreeCorners - 2014-12-12 11:29 AM Bug Is Alive - 2014-12-12 11:03 AM LuckyNGG'sGirl - 2014-12-11 11:53 PM Wish I could credit the writer, but I'm not sure who wrote it. "Every time I see someone ranting about how helmets are a personal choice I think: That's a pretty selfish choice. You splatter yourself, you want to know what happens? You traumatize the person/people who see it happen or find you. You cause untold amounts of grief for ANYONE who cares about you. You force your family to pay for a funeral for your splattered body. Your horse will probably be sold on to someone else. Maybe they'll get lucky, or maybe your family will blame him and dump him at an auction. And he won't get lucky. But you have no control over any of it, because you're DEAD. That's assuming you die. If you don't die, and just get a traumatic brain injury... Well its your lucky day, ain't it? Maybe your ability to breathe will be compromised, and they'll alter your airway so you breathe through a hole in your neck. Maybe you'll be incontinent and spend the rest of your life in diapers, sh*tting your pants. Maybe you'll be REALLY **** LUCKY, have to relearn to walk, talk, feed yourself and wipe when you go to the bathroom. And have a sort of normal life afterwards. Or you could put on a helmet. It might hurt your pride. It might make your head sweaty! You might not look as picture perfect without your hair flying loose. But you're a hell of a lot less likely to get yourself killed that way." Given this rant directed at "selfish" non helmet wearers, does it change your opinion of anyone in the spotlight who doesn't wear a helmet? Do you see them as selfish? I'm talking about the big guns who set examples like world champions Sheri Cervi, Charmayne James, Martha Josey, or any of the top 15 at the NFR this week. I want someone to give me just ONE reason Martha Josey (or any top clinician) doesn't wear a helmet to set an example to the thousands of kids she instructs.
This is where I give Fallon HUGE props for stepping out, and stepping UP to the plate to break that mold. Now, with 2 very good charities with awsome causes putting it out there for the NFR barrel racers this year to wear one , and Fallon putting it out there she will match the donations, YEP, I sure do look at it as selfish. I have a whole new respect for Fallon now. She is confidant within herself to step out there! I cant believe, even for just one night they cant/wont put stuck in the old vanity mold aside. The message it sends is HUGE. We just have to get more used to seeing them, and seeing them in the limelight. More people are getting smarter every day though.
Selfish or not is really a redundant statement regarding the “old school” cowgirls. They grew up in a different atmosphere……..FT is promoting a safety trend for the young barrel racers by showing them that it can be “cool” to wear the protection. It started the same way in the rough stock riders with just a few bull riders wearing helmets….now it is estimated that 70% of them wear head and vest protection.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 407
| I am a certified helmet fan... I won't get on my horse without one. I have been made fun of for wearing one and not by any barrel racer but by a "wanna be" cowboy/horse trainer/ couch riding SOB. I was told that I was not a true barrel racer because I was wearing one (Also, I started this barrel racing business back in April and I am still going at a glorified lope around the barrels but we are getting faster so I am trying my hardest)... anyways, it did bothered me as even though I knew better than to take his comments at heart, I wanted and still want to be a barrel racer so bad that I second guessed myself. I have been going to races and I have always been wearing my helmet but I could not help to feel a bit... different. After watching Fallon Taylor wearing a helmet, call me silly, but it has made me feel a bit more confident wearing one and not feeling goofy about it. I don't care if she does it for attention or for money or for whatever reason... all I can say is that she has put my "helmet" at ease by showing that you can still be a good barrel racer even if you wear a helmet. Now if she made an an adult felt better about her safety choices, can you just imagine what kind of impression she made to the young kids? All I can say is.... THANK YOU FALLON!!!! | |
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 Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | Know who else should be wearing helmets? Children on 4 wheelers, dirt bikes and golf carts. I see too many head injuries that could have been prevented. | |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | Bug Is Alive - 2014-12-12 11:37 AM ThreeCorners - 2014-12-12 11:29 AM Bug Is Alive - 2014-12-12 11:03 AM LuckyNGG'sGirl - 2014-12-11 11:53 PM Wish I could credit the writer, but I'm not sure who wrote it. "Every time I see someone ranting about how helmets are a personal choice I think: That's a pretty selfish choice. You splatter yourself, you want to know what happens? You traumatize the person/people who see it happen or find you. You cause untold amounts of grief for ANYONE who cares about you. You force your family to pay for a funeral for your splattered body. Your horse will probably be sold on to someone else. Maybe they'll get lucky, or maybe your family will blame him and dump him at an auction. And he won't get lucky. But you have no control over any of it, because you're DEAD. That's assuming you die. If you don't die, and just get a traumatic brain injury... Well its your lucky day, ain't it? Maybe your ability to breathe will be compromised, and they'll alter your airway so you breathe through a hole in your neck. Maybe you'll be incontinent and spend the rest of your life in diapers, sh*tting your pants. Maybe you'll be REALLY **** LUCKY, have to relearn to walk, talk, feed yourself and wipe when you go to the bathroom. And have a sort of normal life afterwards. Or you could put on a helmet. It might hurt your pride. It might make your head sweaty! You might not look as picture perfect without your hair flying loose. But you're a hell of a lot less likely to get yourself killed that way." Given this rant directed at "selfish" non helmet wearers, does it change your opinion of anyone in the spotlight who doesn't wear a helmet? Do you see them as selfish? I'm talking about the big guns who set examples like world champions Sheri Cervi, Charmayne James, Martha Josey, or any of the top 15 at the NFR this week. I want someone to give me just ONE reason Martha Josey (or any top clinician) doesn't wear a helmet to set an example to the thousands of kids she instructs.
This is where I give Fallon HUGE props for stepping out, and stepping UP to the plate to break that mold. Now, with 2 very good charities with awsome causes putting it out there for the NFR barrel racers this year to wear one , and Fallon putting it out there she will match the donations, YEP, I sure do look at it as selfish. I have a whole new respect for Fallon now. She is confidant within herself to step out there! I cant believe, even for just one night they cant/wont put stuck in the old vanity mold aside. The message it sends is HUGE. We just have to get more used to seeing them, and seeing them in the limelight. More people are getting smarter every day though.
Yes you are trying to be combative but thats ok. lol. YES. If they wont do it for themselves, yet they still wont do it for charity and to help send a message to if nobody else, our youth! These ladies, are who everybody looks up to and strives to be where they are. When my daughter was young, I made her wear a helmet. She couldnt wait to be able to not have to wear it. She would say "Nobody else is wearing one". THAT was her reason to not want to wear it. When you ask anybody, I dont care how old they are, they have no other reason to not wear one because "They dont like the looks of them" Or, " I dont want to look like a dork because nobody else is wearing one". All reasons of vanity and lacking self confidance! Plain and simple. Obviously, as Fallon is proving round after round, wearing a helmet does not effect your ability to ride in a negative way. lol. Doesnt effect your ability to WIN, or place in a negative way. If anything, more people ( adults) are more confidant in their riding, more aggressive. I have seen it and those that wear one have mentioned it.
After the first 2 rounds of crappy ground, Fallon put hers on. Smart move and THAT was a missed golden opportunity for all NFR contestants to make a statement to the NFR committee as well. "HEY, fix this crap ground! This is scary stuff and we cant really put it all out there! It's unsafe".
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Location: East of the Pecos | NJJ - 2014-12-12 11:51 AM Bug Is Alive - 2014-12-12 11:37 AM ThreeCorners - 2014-12-12 11:29 AM Bug Is Alive - 2014-12-12 11:03 AM LuckyNGG'sGirl - 2014-12-11 11:53 PM Wish I could credit the writer, but I'm not sure who wrote it. "Every time I see someone ranting about how helmets are a personal choice I think: That's a pretty selfish choice. You splatter yourself, you want to know what happens? You traumatize the person/people who see it happen or find you. You cause untold amounts of grief for ANYONE who cares about you. You force your family to pay for a funeral for your splattered body. Your horse will probably be sold on to someone else. Maybe they'll get lucky, or maybe your family will blame him and dump him at an auction. And he won't get lucky. But you have no control over any of it, because you're DEAD. That's assuming you die. If you don't die, and just get a traumatic brain injury... Well its your lucky day, ain't it? Maybe your ability to breathe will be compromised, and they'll alter your airway so you breathe through a hole in your neck. Maybe you'll be incontinent and spend the rest of your life in diapers, sh*tting your pants. Maybe you'll be REALLY **** LUCKY, have to relearn to walk, talk, feed yourself and wipe when you go to the bathroom. And have a sort of normal life afterwards. Or you could put on a helmet. It might hurt your pride. It might make your head sweaty! You might not look as picture perfect without your hair flying loose. But you're a hell of a lot less likely to get yourself killed that way." Given this rant directed at "selfish" non helmet wearers, does it change your opinion of anyone in the spotlight who doesn't wear a helmet? Do you see them as selfish? I'm talking about the big guns who set examples like world champions Sheri Cervi, Charmayne James, Martha Josey, or any of the top 15 at the NFR this week. I want someone to give me just ONE reason Martha Josey (or any top clinician) doesn't wear a helmet to set an example to the thousands of kids she instructs.
This is where I give Fallon HUGE props for stepping out, and stepping UP to the plate to break that mold. Now, with 2 very good charities with awsome causes putting it out there for the NFR barrel racers this year to wear one , and Fallon putting it out there she will match the donations, YEP, I sure do look at it as selfish. I have a whole new respect for Fallon now. She is confidant within herself to step out there! I cant believe, even for just one night they cant/wont put stuck in the old vanity mold aside. The message it sends is HUGE. We just have to get more used to seeing them, and seeing them in the limelight. More people are getting smarter every day though.
The statement by ThreeCorners says that Fallon wore the helmet because she is confident enough in herself to step out there.
My point is that when I go to a barrel race, I don't look at the non helmet wearers as selfish or not confident. You can't just make a blanket statement that riders who don't wear helmets are selfish because there are thousands of clinicians, trainers, world champions (men and women) who don't set the example of wearing helmets but are seen as leaders and teachers for kids. I think Martha Josey and Sheri Cervi, and even the younger NFR girls, and junior rodeo kids (not just "old school" ladies) want to wear a hat for the pure and simple reason that it's tradition and looks western. I don't look at the parents of junior rodeo future star barrel racers as not caring about their welfare or being selfish when they or their kids don't wear helmets. Regardless of what the ranting poster statement refers to as "selfish", it's not, and it's a personal choice. Off my soapbox. 
I wanted to add that choosing to wear a hat doesn't mean you look down on helmets. I also applaud Fallon for wearing a helmet, I think all of her outfits look cool and she is one reason I'm enjoying the barrel race at the NFR so much this year, and I hope she wins the world. Putting herself out there and promoting something she believes in is wonderful, but it's still a choice.
Edited by Bug Is Alive 2014-12-12 12:15 PM
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | I find it funny that this is even a debate at all for western riders. No English rider (including myself) would give the slightest thought to wearing a helmet. That's just what you do! It's not "too ugly" for them! | |
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Location: No Man's Land | Fallon is not the first barrel racer to wear a helmet at the NFR. Delores Tool wore helmets the last time she made it to the NFR several years ago.  | |
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Location: East of the Pecos | cavyrunsbarrels - 2014-12-12 12:20 PM I find it funny that this is even a debate at all for western riders. No English rider (including myself) would give the slightest thought to wearing a helmet. That's just what you do! It's not "too ugly" for them!
Because it goes back to tradition. English riders traditionaly wear helmets and western riders traditionaly wear cowboy hats, which is my whole entire point. It's very hard to break tradition, and that's a reason in itself, not being selfish or unconfident. | |
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Fact Checker
Posts: 16572
Location: Displaced Iowegian | cavyrunsbarrels - 2014-12-12 12:20 PM I find it funny that this is even a debate at all for western riders. No English rider (including myself) would give the slightest thought to wearing a helmet. That's just what you do! It's not "too ugly" for them! IMO, you will see it more and more as the younger riders grow up because so many "youth" organizations are making it mandatory for them to be worn....just like protective gear for the rough stock end of rodeos.
Edited by NJJ 2014-12-12 12:26 PM
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 Firecracker Dog Lover
Posts: 3175
| ThreeCorners - 2014-12-11 5:40 PM I have learned through the years that catastrophic brain injuries are not limited to youth. Oregonrieners is a prime example of that, that hits close to home for alot of us here. Our familiers deserve to have us around and kids deserve to have their mothers. Our husbands deserve to have their wives. I was talking to Tonya Hebert last winter in Az. She wears a helmet. We started talking about the helmets and she said "I make my living with my brain. I cant afford to have a bad brain injury and really when you think about it, it's stupid not to". She is an attorney.
Is this Tonya Hebert from Washington? | |
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 Stinky Cat Owner
Posts: 4097
Location: Oregon | hotpaints - 2014-12-11 5:14 PM FINALLY, we have a female barrel racer willing to endorse riding helmets!! I had hoped this would have happened long ago from Charmayne James or Martha Josey.
This has been long overdue..............professionaly barrel racer wearing/endorsing helmets.
Agree!!! I have so much respect and admire anyone who can be that confident to just go ahead and use a helmet! Very smart too!
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | LOLOLOLOL. Since when does someone making a good decision AND helping others by donating to charity(That she totally didn't have to do but is doing it anyway) something to whine about? At least she can put her ego aside and slap a helmet on her head and you all still find a reason to complain. A big ole round of applause to Fallon, she's setting a great example, I hope one day I can be as influential as she is.
Green is an ugly color negative Nancy's. | |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | Hey I'm about as old school as they come. I'm in my mid 50's and was barrel racing way before the advent of 3D's. Nobody wore helmets then and nobody really required our youth to. Heck, we didnt even have seat belt laws and you could still ride in the back of a pick up! Safety awareness just wasnt what it is today. When my daughter was young and I made her wear a helmet it was epic failure on my part not to be wearing one as well. Actions and example speak louder then words. I was still young then so yep, vanity and my own self confidance were at play. Plus back then the helmet design wasnt near what it is today. Now the helmets have come a long way and I do really like the looks of the helmets Fallon is rock'n.
I am just starting to ride again. Havent really ridden in years except at home on rare occasions. My husband is ever so supportive and thinks it would be good therapy for me after my accident. I now have a good horse here to ride, he bought me a new caldwell for our anniversary, and a heritage brand tack set and he wants us to go play. Mom and Pop style. lol. We have been talking about me wearing a helmet and yep, that is next on my list before I get back on my horse and I do like the looks of the helmets Fallon is wearing. I just have to decide on what color. LOL
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Dancing in my Mind
Posts: 3062
Location: Eastern OH but my heart is in WV | NJJ - 2014-12-12 12:25 PM
cavyrunsbarrels - 2014-12-12 12:20 PM I find it funny that this is even a debate at all for western riders. No English rider (including myself) would give the slightest thought to wearing a helmet. That's just what you do! It's not "too ugly" for them! IMO, you will see it more and more as the younger riders grow up because so many "youth" organizations are making it mandatory for them to be worn....just like protective gear for the rough stock end of rodeos.
Totally aggree with this. I never wore a helmet growing up, as a matter-of-fact my mom fought against making helmets a requrement for 4-H. I was so proud of her then. That was the 80's. Fast forward to today and my kids understand it is just expected of them. From the first day they have sat on a horse/pony they have worn a helmet. This is true for many young riders today. | |
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I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
Location: North Dakota | I hope Fallon wins the world title! She is one beautiful girl, makes barrel racing look good!!! | |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | brlraceaddict - 2014-12-12 12:29 PM ThreeCorners - 2014-12-11 5:40 PM I have learned through the years that catastrophic brain injuries are not limited to youth. Oregonrieners is a prime example of that, that hits close to home for alot of us here. Our familiers deserve to have us around and kids deserve to have their mothers. Our husbands deserve to have their wives. I was talking to Tonya Hebert last winter in Az. She wears a helmet. We started talking about the helmets and she said "I make my living with my brain. I cant afford to have a bad brain injury and really when you think about it, it's stupid not to". She is an attorney. Is this Tonya Hebert from Washington?
Yes! I just love her. She started wearing her helmet after a bad horse accident.
Funny, for most of us,myself included, it takes a bad accident to wake us up. We suddenly become smarter when we are shown just how volnerable we really are and realize we are not invincable. We have just been lucky. | |
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I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | ThreeCorners - 2014-12-12 1:35 PM
Hey I'm about as old school as they come. I'm in my mid 50's and was barrel racing way before the advent of 3D's. Nobody wore helmets then and nobody really required our youth to. Heck, we didnt even have seat belt laws and you could still ride in the back of a pick up! Safety awareness just wasnt what it is today. When my daughter was young and I made her wear a helmet it was epic failure on my part not to be wearing one as well. Actions and example speak louder then words. I was still young then so yep, vanity and my own self confidance were at play. Plus back then the helmet design wasnt near what it is today. Now the helmets have come a long way and I do really like the looks of the helmets Fallon is rock'n.
I am just starting to ride again. Havent really ridden in years except at home on rare occasions. My husband is ever so supportive and thinks it would be good therapy for me after my accident. I now have a good horse here to ride, he bought me a new caldwell for our anniversary, and a heritage brand tack set and he wants us to go play. Mom and Pop style. lol. We have been talking about me wearing a helmet and yep, that is next on my list before I get back on my horse and I do like the looks of the helmets Fallon is wearing. I just have to decide on what color. LOL
Go bright and bold girl!  I have also in the past not worn helmets for vanity, better late than never! WTG! | |
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