Will a Tipperary be good enough?

Oh ok sorry, when I have heard the term "whiplash" it has always been in reference to a neck injury!

I am going to show my age here.

I can remember when vest were first brought out and law was coming in(1998 I think), in regards to wearing one on the racetrack. Didn't matter if you were riding the stable pony or a race horse, you had (and still do) wear one. I got mine before the law came in and was wearing it before the said date. I rode horses in the middle of summer, in Australia, in the middle of the day and the hottest part of the day. It did take a few weeks to get use to it and after that, not a problem.

To this day I still use a vest and I currently have a Intec. Does it restrict my movement, no. For my insurance, I'd rather have something that is rated over something that is not. I want my butt covered, I have seen insurance turn around and tell someone "you were not using approved safety equipment, there for we will not cover". This, I can not afford. So I make sure my equipment is rated.

I would honestly save up and get something better than a Tipperary. I say this because I broke my back wearing one when I got thrown from my horse onto a jump. My L4 & L5 vertebrae completely shattered and I had to do months of physical therapy. I now own an Airowear Outlyne and it's worth every penny. It takes about 2 minutes to conform to my body and then I don't feel as if I'm wearing anything. It's more expensive than a Tipperary, but the safety benefits are worth the wait to save up for it.

Truthfully I would never even consider a Tipperary. My Trainer has them banned for cross-country at our barn for a reason.
For now I use one of her certified vests but I am saving up to buy an Airowear vest.

I LOVE Airowear vests. So comfortable and easy to move in. I am planning to get an Airowear for next season and I am going to be getting an air vest for over top as I have neck problems and have broken my back in the past.

I have a few friends who use them(air vests) and have heard nothing but the best reviews. You do have to wear it over a regular vest but they protect your neck, hips and other areas that your regular vest just will not protect. They are even used by many Olympic teams.

Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Airbag Safety Systems

Eventing Inflatable Air Safety Vests : EVENTING NATION

They are costly but worth it IMO. I've seen them in action and they work great. And as long as you don't puncture the vest in a fall just need to replace the co2 cartridge when its been set off.

For as little cross-country as I do, I like my Tipperary. It was a Christmas gift and it's incredibly comfortable. However, I acknowledge the risks in using that. I hate how the rated vests feel and I'm quite an advocate for safety equipment and "comfort" being secondary. That being said, the more I event, the more I plan to invest in a rated vest.

Once you get used to the stiffer vests you don't even feel them. You just have to suck it up until you break it in, just like talls boots.

I LOVE my Tipperary. I hadn't heard of them being not certified before this forum, but I've evented up to training level (recongnized shows too) and no one has ever said anything to me about it... I tried the boxy vest for a long time (about a year wearing it almost everyday) I never got used to it and I couldn't use my body the way I normally would. I'm very interested in body mechanics and I find that my back can't have as much movement in the boxy vests. The boxy vests make me stiff and uncomfortable and it's harder for me to be an effective rider. My Tipperary is great and I literally ride better. I've never seen/heard of someone getting impaled on a stick or something through the seams in the vest. I'd say get the Tipperary because it's better than nothing.

Well, considering I evented at advanced for many years before anyone wore vests, much less were a required item, I will be just fine with my Tipp. I like it, it fits me, it is cooler when we get 100 degree days.....

Look down on them all you want. I have taken a few cracking falls and it did its job. A vest doesn't help you if it is so hot you leave it in the barn.

I remember eventing when it was a rare sight to see a vest. I got my first vest in 2000 and it was a Tipperary. I loved that vest and I still love them. When it became required for cross country it was all anyone had.

With some events requiring approved vests now the hunt is on for the closest thing to the Tipperary Eventer. Airoware seems to be the most comfortable but I did try on the Tipperary Ride Lite my last trip to the tack store. Came home to look them up and they are not designed for cross country.

Back to square one...