Thousands of equestrians across the world choose Charles Owen riding hats because of their reputation for being at the very forefront of safety technology.  Whether you are a novice horse rider or an experienced professional, Charles Owen helmets are designed to give you ultimate protection against injury in a fall.

Every Charles Owen riding hat is made to international safety standards, giving you peace of mind that you will be protected should the worst happen while out on your horse.  With helmets such as the Charles Owen Wellington Classic and the Charles Owen GR8 to choose from, you can be certain of the best possible safety combined with attractive styling.
Looking back over the years
The name "Charles Owen" has been associated with protective hats since 1911, when the company was founded to produce pith helmets for the war.  The company was based in East London and was run by Charles Owen himself. 

Although successful in supplying the army with hats, the firm soon diversified into producing motorcycle helmets as well.  It was not until 1957 that the first Charles Owen riding hat was made, prompted by a family member who had begun horse riding.  The sheer quality of the helmet was so impressive that it was clear that the company's future lay in making riding hats.

After this turning point, the company spent years designing and redesigning Charles Owen riding hats as safety technology progressed and improved.  Finally, its success meant that its London location was not large enough for the firm to expand any further. 

This was the basis for a move to Wrexham, North Wales, which became the new headquarters of Charles Owen riding hats in 1992.  It was not long before the factory in which the riding helmets were crafted was also relocated from London to a specially-designed building in Wales.  Charles Owen's workforce now numbered 80, although more people were taken on as the company moved into its new factory premises.

It was at the high-tech £1.5m factory that Charles Owen riding hats entered a new phase of success.  The company focused on producing hats intended for high performance and began to receive acclaim for its innovative safety designs.  Since this time, Charles Owen riding hats have won multiple awards, including Best Safety Product three times and Best Safety Range. 

The fine reputation of Charles Owen riding hats has now spread to horse riders right across the world and hats like the Charles Owen H2000 are now distributed throughout much of Europe, as well as America, Canada and Australia.     

The company is now run by Roy Bubek, the grandson of Charles Owen.  He has proved to be a very influential figure and has been presented the "Safety Good Guy Award", as well as an award of appreciation for the role he played in improving US safety standards.  As can be seen from his list of awards, he is committed to making horse riding as safe as possible for everyone, no matter what their age, experience or preferred discipline.

Charles Owen riding hats at Dogwood
Most horse riders agree that a good hat is essential for safe riding, which is why Charles Owen riding hats are so very popular in the equestrian community.  These helmets clearly draw on both the latest technology and aesthetic expertise to create a result with a fine combination of first class safety and undeniable style. 

At Dogwood we believe you cannot put a price on safety but our range of Charles Owen riding hats is as close as you can get.  You can choose from a wide selection of helmets, from the traditional velvet-covered Charles Owen H2000, which is ideal for hunting and showing, to the all-discipline Charles Owen John Wellington Classic.

If you would like further information about any of our Charles Owen riding hats or another item in the Dogwood collection, please telephone 0845 30 10 365.