the history of charles owen - page 1 - page 2 - page 3

Helmet production is precision engineering and the more to commoditise the most important piece of life saving equipment is very worrying. It is so important that helmets are correctly fitted and not left to the wearer with just a few pads. The most common mechanism of injury is angular brain acceleration, yet in an effort to reduce costs, manufacturers reduce the number of shell sizes which increases its probability, it is not surprising that the buyer has plenty to beware.

Not only do our production team gain great pleasure in knowing just how much better the world is by them doing a good job, it drives them. Our production facility is one of the most audited in our industry. Regular visits by the British Standards Institute and the Safety Equipment Institute gives us ample opportunities to continually demonstrate our desire to be the best.

Our family of riders extends to more than half of British riders and is considered the safest choice in the US. In today's celebrity culture, the rider can be mislead by big sponsorship deals and marketing hype. Whilst wanting to support the riders of excellence, Charles Owen has never bought a rider's loyalty. Out top riders choose Charles Owen because they know it is the best. We would never knowingly compromise the safety of our family. It is the reason for our international following.

With the advent of Charles Owen's success has come the attention of the 'knock off merchant'. Unlike many brands who load the price of their products to pay for excessive marketing budgets, Charles Owen has no such excess. The question is therefore what has been knocked off in a knock off? The price may well be paid in human suffering. Make the product too weak and the brain suffers from excessive force. Make the product too strong and the brain is subjected to the total force of the blow.

Lets just take a moment to think about that last sentence. Making the best is not simply about using a superior material like carbon fibre or titanium. It is about following that thin line which allows the helmet to perform just as well on a concrete yard as in a sand school or falling from a 12.2 pony or jumping at Badminton horse trials. The car industry in the last decade has radically changed its design philosophy to build cars that save lives rather than avoid the car repair shop.

If it was just about saving lives then for most that would be enough. But the safety cause is more than that. Its all about sharing our passion of horse riding to the wider world around us. Many have lost contact with the real world and have been seduced by man made materialism. The horse is many people's salvation. A true and honest relationship that can reform the criminal, enable the disadvantaged and empower the meek. But each unfortunate accident widens the gulf between the enlightened and the wary. This is so important that Charles Owen works with a wide range of associations to promote riding and especially safer riding.

Choosing to become a member of our family gives you confidence, knowing that your fellow members are doing their best to support you and deliver the best there is. It was in 1984 that our best known member, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, chose Charles Owen to be awarded the Royal warrant as protective headgear supplier to the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace.

"My grandfather set the course. I am passionate about maintaining it. This is all about a journey to eliminate suffering and death in our sport and to sharer the ineffable joy of the horse, to all. I know I will not reach the destination but it is getting very much closer", proclaims the current head of the family.

Whilst the focus of Charles Owen is safety, we occasionally come across brands that share our belief in producing the ultimate. We are pleased to be able to work with two outstanding product ranges. Roeckl Sporthandschuhe have been german glove makers since 1869. They are definitely the most innovative glove makers in the world. Sergio Grasso has been an Italian boot maker for over fifty years. He is a true craftsman and makes boots closer to works of art than footwear. As members of the Charles Owen family, we know that you won't be disappointed.