Tack of the Day

Ovation

Ovation Riding Helmets and Accessories

Ovation makes light, well-vented riding helmets with a dial fit, from the everyday Deluxe Schooler to the Sphero ERT, Vantage ERT and M Class MIPS, plus the liners, visors and covers that keep them in use season after season.

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Updated October 2026 · By Tack of the Day product team

Ovation Deluxe Schooler riding helmet in black
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Buying tip Ovation helmets suit English riders who want a light, vented, dial-fit helmet for every day in the saddle. Choose the model first: a Schooler for daily riding, the Sphero ERT or Vantage ERT for Ovation's ERT liner and two standards, or the M Class for MIPS. Then measure your head about an inch above your eyebrows and pick the size from that model's chart, because Ovation's centimeter ranges differ by model.

What riders say about Ovation helmets

Riders tell us their Ovation helmets fit well from the first ride and stay cool in real heat, and one rider wears her Deluxe Schooler at A-rated shows. The dial at the back comes up again and again, and so does coming back to Ovation for the next helmet.

Deluxe Schooler

Fit is great, very comfy and straightforward helmet. Love the adjustable dial. Great for everyday riding/lessons.
Rider review · 2026

Schooling helmet

Ovation Schooling Helmet. I live in Phoenix and am very happy with how cool my head stays with the vent design.
Rider review · 2018

Deluxe Schooler

I have an Ovation Deluxe Schooler that I wore at quite a few shows last year (A rated). Got more compliments on that hat than my Samshield and it's super comfortable to boot!
Rider review · 2015

Ovation helmets

I always buy Ovation helmets. I know they will fit perfectly.
Rider review · 2026

In the Spotlight: Ovation helmets

Ovation's best sellers start with the Deluxe Schooler and Vantage ERT; the second shelf gathers the blue and navy finishes across the Schooler, Sphero and Vantage lines.

Best-selling Ovation helmets and accessories

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Ovation helmets in blue

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Ovation riding helmets: which model is right for you

Choose the Deluxe Schooler for everyday riding and lessons, the Sphero ERT or Vantage ERT if you want Ovation's ERT liner and certification to both an American and a European standard, and the M Class MIPS if MIPS is on your list. The Z-6 Glitz II is the dial-fit everyday build dressed for the show ring.

The Deluxe Schooler is Ovation's everyday helmet: a lightweight, low-profile shell in a rubberized finish, high-flow vents, an easy-adjust dial with extra strong adjustment teeth, a removable washable liner, a breakaway visor and a YKK adjuster clip and buckle set to stay off your face. The Metallic Schooler is the same build in a metallic finish. The Sync adds reflective piping and a mesh rubberized surface. Ovation lists all three as certified to ASTM standards.

The Z-6 Glitz II keeps the dial, washable liner and vents, then adds a leather brim, a leather harness and glitter accents across the top vents, for riders who want one helmet that reads as show-ready.

The Sphero pairs an ABS shell with an EPS liner, eight vents, a dial fit, a Nexus chin buckle and a sweat-wicking heat-sealed pad; the Sphero ERT adds Ovation's ERT foam liner, which Ovation describes as reducing the effects of rotational and linear impacts. The Vantage ERT has a wide brim, a hybrid shell over an EPS liner, ERT foam inserts, eight vents and a harness strap. The M Class MIPS has a matte finish, a front vent and a MIPS low-friction layer that, in Ovation's words, allows a sliding motion of 10–15 mm in all directions inside the helmet.

Deluxe Schooler

I have it as my every day/ schooling helmet because it is so easy to wear. The venting keeps my helmet hair to a minimum, which is also greatly appreciated.
Rider review · 2020

Sync and show helmet

I school in an Ovation (carbon fiber sync) which I LOVE, and show in the Ovation show helmet. I think dressage must attract a different crowd because I see a huge variety of helmets at shows.
Rider review · 2014

Ovation helmet sizing and fit for round and oval heads

Size an Ovation helmet by head circumference first: measure about an inch above your eyebrows, around the widest part of your head, then find that number on the chart for the model you want. Hat size is a guide only.

Ovation's sizes differ by model. A 57 cm head is an M/L in the Schooler (57–61 cm), the Vantage ERT (57–59 cm) and the Sphero (57–58 cm), and a Large in the M Class MIPS (57–58 cm). Where two ranges overlap, the dial at the back takes up the difference; try the helmet with your hair the way you ride.

Riders tell us the dial lets one helmet work with hair up, down, braided or in a ponytail, and riders with oval heads say Ovation sits lower than most. A well-fitted helmet sits level about an inch above the eyebrows and stays put when you nod with the harness done up.

ModelSizeHead (cm)Hat size
Deluxe Schooler, Metallic SchoolerXXS/XS46–505 3/4–6 1/4
Deluxe Schooler, Metallic SchoolerXS/S48–526–6 1/2
Deluxe Schooler, Metallic SchoolerS/M52–566 1/2–7
Deluxe Schooler, Metallic SchoolerM/L57–617 1/8–7 5/8
Deluxe Schooler, Metallic SchoolerL/XL58–627 1/4–7 3/4
Vantage ERTXS/S48–526–6 1/2
Vantage ERTS/M52–566 1/2–7
Vantage ERTM/L57–597 1/8–7 3/8
Vantage ERTL/XL58–627 1/4–7 3/4
Sphero, Sphero ERTXS/S51–546 3/8–6 3/4
Sphero, Sphero ERTS/M54–576 3/4–7 1/8
Sphero, Sphero ERTM/L57–587 1/8–7 1/4
Sphero, Sphero ERTL/XL58–617 1/4–7 5/8
M Class MIPSXS / S / M51–52 / 53–54 / 55–56—
M Class MIPSL / XL / XXL57–58 / 59–60 / 61—
M Class MIPS JrXS / S / M45–46 / 47–48 / 49–50—

For young riders, measure again before each season and buy the size that fits today, not one to grow into.

Deluxe Schooler

Very pretty and elegant for training. I bought a Large and it fit perfect! I use a size 7 3/4 and I was happy the helmet had a tightening dial to make it fit snug and comfortable. I love the adjustment option because I can wear my hair up, down or in braids and I can adjust to size. Definitely buying this item again in the future.
Rider review · 2024

Schooling helmet

I have an ovation schooling helmet that fits me well (trust me, I have tried on every schooling helmet under the sun). I school with my ponytail out the back and all is well.
Rider review · 2015

Ovation helmets

To be honest, my cheap Ovation helmet is the least mushroom-y I’ve found. My head is oval.
Rider review · 2026

Ovation sizes

Ovation makes an XS helmet in most of their models, added bonus of having the adjust-dial
Rider review · 2016

Ovation helmet safety standards by model

Ovation lists the Deluxe Schooler, Metallic Schooler, Sync and Z-6 Glitz II as certified to ASTM standards. The Sphero and Sphero ERT carry CE Norm VG-1 and ASTM F1163-23, SEI certified, and the Vantage ERT carries EN1384-23 and ASTM F1163-23, certified by SEI.

The table gives each model's standards in Ovation's own wording, with the rotational-impact feature Ovation builds in. Check the current helmet rule for your discipline, show or Pony Club before you buy.

ModelStandards Ovation reportsRotational-impact feature
Deluxe SchoolerCertified to ASTM standards—
Metallic SchoolerSEI certified to ASTM standards—
SyncCertified to ASTM standards—
ExtremeCertified to ASTM standards—
Z-6 Glitz IICertified to ASTM standards—
SpheroCE Norm VG-1 and ASTM F1163-23, SEI certified—
Sphero ERTCE Norm VG-1 and ASTM F1163-23, SEI certifiedERT foam liner
Vantage ERTEN1384-23 and ASTM F1163-23, certified by SEIERT foam inserts

Ovation helmet liners, visors and covers

Ovation's liners, visors and covers keep a helmet fresh and fitted: the Coolmax Helmet Liner and Replacement Helmet Stitch Foam Insert swap in for a worn pad, the M Class MIPS Refit Liner refits the M Class, and the Helmet Visor replaces a breakaway visor.

For cold rides, the Winter Helmet Cover and Helmet Ear Muffs go over the helmet you already ride in, and the Zocks Velvet Helmet Cover gives a schooling helmet a velvet look.

  1. Wipe the shell clean after riding; Ovation designs its rubberized finishes to be simple to clean.
  2. Take out the liner and machine wash it; Ovation's helmet liners are removable and washable.
  3. Replace a flattened pad or broken visor with Ovation's Coolmax liner, stitch foam insert or Helmet Visor.

Who Ovation riding helmets are for

Ovation riding helmets are for English riders who want a comfortable, well-vented helmet they will wear every day, and for families fitting more than one rider.

  • Everyday and lesson riders buy the Deluxe Schooler for its light, vented shell, dial fit and washable liner.
  • Families with young riders buy the Schooler line and the M Class MIPS Helmet Jr, sized from 45 cm, because the dial adjusts as a child's head and hairstyle change.
  • Riders in hot climates choose the Schooler and the Sphero ERT for high-flow and eight-point venting.
  • Riders who want rotational-impact technology choose the Vantage ERT for ERT or the M Class for MIPS.
  • Show riders choose the Z-6 Glitz II for its leather brim and harness, and many wear a Deluxe Schooler in the ring too.

Look elsewhere if your head measures more than 62 cm, the top of Ovation's adult charts.

Deluxe Schooler

I ride in this helmet and this is my daughter’s second only because she’s grown into a new size! Highly recommend. Great quality and last for years!
Rider review · 2026

Metallic Schooler

It fits!! We tried other brands of equestrian helmets and could not get them to fit our 7-year old granddaughter properly. And she loves the color too.
Rider review · 2025

Ovation riding helmet FAQ

Who are Ovation riding helmets for?

Ovation riding helmets are for English riders who want a light, vented helmet with a dial fit for everyday riding, lessons and schooling, and for families fitting several riders. Show riders choose the Z-6 Glitz II, and riders who want rotational-impact technology choose the Vantage ERT, Sphero ERT or M Class MIPS. Start with the Deluxe Schooler if you want one helmet for every day.

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Do Ovation helmets fit an oval head?

Riders with oval heads tell us Ovation helmets sit low and fit well, and the dial at the back fine-tunes the fit around the head. Measure your head, choose the size from the model's chart, and check that the helmet sits level with no pressure points before you ride.

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What size Ovation helmet do I need?

Measure around your head about an inch above your eyebrows and match the number in centimeters to the model's chart. A 55 cm head is an S/M in the Deluxe Schooler (52–56 cm), Vantage ERT (52–56 cm) and Sphero (54–57 cm), and a Medium in the M Class MIPS (55–56 cm). Use the dial to fine-tune, and check your model's chart on this page.

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What safety standards do Ovation helmets meet?

Ovation lists the Deluxe Schooler, Metallic Schooler, Sync and Z-6 Glitz II as certified to ASTM standards. The Sphero and Sphero ERT meet CE Norm VG-1 and ASTM F1163-23, SEI certified, and the Vantage ERT meets EN1384-23 and ASTM F1163-23, certified by SEI. Check your competition's current helmet rule before a show.

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Do Ovation helmets have MIPS?

Yes: the M Class MIPS and M Class MIPS Jr use MIPS, a low-friction layer that Ovation says allows 10–15 mm of sliding motion in all directions inside the helmet. The Sphero ERT and Vantage ERT use Ovation's ERT foam instead. Choose the M Class if MIPS is the feature you want, then size it from its centimeter chart.

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