I own 4 hemets- various weight and colors and i have them so I cannot have any excuses nor can those who wish to ride my fluffies and ride with me. Period.
vanity thy name is helmet head.
Gasp! it looks awful- and my head is sweaty and the helmet feels tight or the chin strap is  digging or my ears hurt or I can't hear the cell phone or my ear piece wont lay comfy...... or it doesn't look good.....whatever you think- being able to put a sentence together is incredible - and after a severe brain injury it is almost impossible,...........................
And for upper level riders they ( most ) believe in the soft hat- the  look of one who is dressed for the show........... top hats and tails. I believe helmets should be mandatory. in all levels and of course how I think about the changes for showing is  agreed  with many whom I know,   change the rules back to  double bridles for over 4th level- when one is doing PSG and higher- not for 3rd or 4th level- but hell if you can't handle the horse in his light  snaffle, get 2 bits and 4 reins to handle the horse.
tsk tsk Foolish.
 Carry a few helmets so you do not forget the only one that you left in the trailer - or in the truck or in the barn.
 You only get one head. ONE
 and it  will never recover from a horrendous incident.
 We do not want to look like we are the  prime ingredient on the salad bar- buffet- at  the restaurant.
 so it is time to stop worrying about how we look in our  clothes and be safe. No one is exempt- not one of us. Please do wear a helmet and for what it is worth- the best gift to give a rabid horsey girl or boy is a helmet as a gift.
 Courtney, good luck  in this the hardest test you will ever again  ride into.......and Speeding on to you are prayers from all strangers and friends.