Team Oakfield Visits the Charles Owen Factory

Recently we were invited to visit the Charles Owen factory in Wrexham, and we had a great day! It was really interesting seeing the production of riding hats from start to finish, and we wanted to share the journey with you.

Charles Owen is the biggest name in equestrian safety, and they work tirelessly to develop riding hats and improve safety standards across the industry. The hats are thoroughly checked throughout the process, and they are rigorously tested to ensure they meet the safety standards.

The hats are made in their Wrexham factory and largely made by hand by skilled crafters. We saw the hats starting as tiny beads which form the inner protective layer, to the shells being moulded and covered with material that is cut and sewn across the factory. We also had a go at covering the hats, and it isn’t as easy as the experts make it look!

Later on, we learned more about the safety standards and the different tests hats must pass to be certified. We were given a demo of the testing machine where a fall onto different objects is simulated, and a large spike is also dropped onto the hat with force. It was useful to see the impact any fall has on the protective inner shell, as once the beads are compressed, they don’t reform, and it is clear to see why you need a replacement helmet after every fall!

Visit our superstore for a free, on the day of purchase, hat fitting and shop our new range of hats EQx Kylo by Charles Owen.

Thanks for having us, Charles Owen!

P.S. Can you spot Charlotte Dujardin’s signed AYR8?!