There are many ways to show your national pride at the Olympic Games, but until recently, equestrians were a bit more limited in how they could display their country’s swagger in a sport steeped with conservative fashion traditions. It used to be a flag on your saddle pad and maybe a bit of collar piping if you so dared.
But today, the world’s equestrians are choosing bolder fabrics (Can’t get enough of Qatar’s deep burgundy coats!), sassier ear bonnets, and most important, patriotic brain buckets. Here’s a selection of some our favorite national helmeteers:
- Rene Lopez, Colombia:
Rene Lopez COL Con Dios III. PC: Arndt Bronkhorst/FEI
- Christian Ahlmann, Germany
JUMPING INDIVIDUAL GER AHLMANN Christian
Photo Richard Juilliart - Alvaro Doda de Miranda, Brazil
JUMPING INDIVIDUAL
2nd Qualifier. BRA dE MIRANDA Alvaro Doda. Photo Richard Juilliart - Eric Lamaze, Canada
Lamaze Eric, CAN, Fine Lady 5. Olympic Games Rio 2016
Photo © Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans - Tiffany Foster, Canada
Amy Millar and Heros. Photo by Cealy Tetley/Equestrian Canada
- Lucy Davis, USA
Whether sporting a flag, your barn colors, or your most recent Friday night bedazzling work, remember that sporting a helmet of any variety is always in style. #Mindyourmelon, and Go Jumping!