2018 Readers’ Choice Awards: World Equestrian Brands Helmet Cam of the Year

Where did you all want to ride this year? (A lot of cross-country, from the looks of it…) Look back at a year of Helmet Cams and vote for your favorite!

At the end of each December, we at Horse Nation like to look back on the year that was and highlight the articles, essays and videos that most inspired readers, triggered important conversations or had everyone rolling on the floor with laughter — and then let readers decide which one is deserving of the title of the Best of the Year.

Our helmet cams, featured every Wednesday presented by World Equestrian Brands, are always popular with readers — and these are the best of the best! Choose your favorite to decide which video deserves to be the Helmet Cam of the Year.

The nominees are…

Kangaroo in the Ring

Published on January 10, 2018: “Horse people are an unusual lot (yeah, I know, understatement of the year). We can stand in an open gateway with nothing but our arms, growly voice and a lead rope and attempt to turn the tide of a galloping herd; we’ve had one-sided shouting matches with horses who are a little too eager to dig into their daily grain; we climb on the backs of 1200-pound (or more, or less) animals for leisure and recreation. So this little guy is no problem. Turn the sound up and get ready to laugh at this exasperated horsewoman shooing her arena visitor back out into the shrubs where he belongs.”

Land Rover XC With Elisa Wallace & Simply Priceless

Published on May 2, 2018: “Between Elisa’s pep talking and the cheers of fans lining the course at the Kentucky Horse Park chanting his signature cheer ‘go Johnny go!’ this helmet cam should put a smile on your face. For the full magnitude of what it means to a partnership to finish the tough 4* cross-country at Land Rover safe and sound, watch all the way to the end to hear the emotion in Wallace’s voice as she pats Johnny at the finish line.”

Skyline

Published on May 30, 2018: “It’s not everywhere that you can gallop cross-country with legitimate snowcapped mountains off on the horizon — but that’s reality for Area IX eventers who frequent Skyline Eventing Park in Mt. Pleasant, Utah! Area IX includes Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and South Dakota, and while it may be many miles from the cradle of eventing on the East Coast, there’s no denying this region’s unique western charms. Looking as though you’re equally likely to see a cowboy loping off to gather some cattle, the scenery is certainly dramatic. Navigate the Training course from astride this plucky gray and take a peek at what Skyline has to offer!”

Hunter Trials

Published on June 13, 2018: “The key here, I think, is riding with friends — with that other scrappy element of riding a real homegrown course, with rugged water crossings, a twisty-turning trail through the woods (taken at a dead run — no one is ballsier than a teenage equestrian) and nice natural obstacles that are plenty meaty without being too pretentious. This is my kind of cross-country ride.”

The Most Adorable XC Helmet Cam Ever

Published on November 14, 2018: “Adulting is hard. Those of us who work day jobs far from our horses likely wish we could be in the saddle right now. Do you feel like you need a little extra encouragement, a cheer for your accomplishments (however small) and a little happy-go-lucky support to get you through the day? Well, do we ever have the video for you. Nope, this isn’t a four-star cross-country round from one of your favorite international riders, nor is it a green horse superstar in the making… this is little Rosie, cheering her beloved pony on as they make their way around this starter course.”