If you have a burning question related to keeping yourself safe in the saddle, or would like to learn more about the latest research that’s helping develop riding hats and body protectors, then don’t miss our exclusive live Q&A session with Roy Burek of Charles Owen. Plus one lucky participant in our web chat will win with a pair of tickets to the final day of the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead (31 July).
Roy is the grandson of Charles Owen, who founded the company in 1911 with a mission to make products for a safer world. Roy is an world expert in the research, development and manufacture of products designed to make riding safer, with more than 30 years of hands-on experience.
Our live chat will take place from 11.30am until 1.30pm on Friday 29 July, so register below for a reminder so you don’t miss a moment. If you have a burning question you’d like to have answered but can’t join us during the live chat, please email it to hheditor@timeinc.com with Safety Q&A in the subject line and we will aim to answer as many as possible within the time we have available.
The reader who poses Roy’s favourite question during the live chat will receive (via email) a pair of general admission passes including a car pass for the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead on Sunday 31 July. The winner of the tickets will be announced at the end of the live chat and will be required to contact us via email in order to claim their prize. Full competition terms and conditions below.
About Roy Burek, Charles Owen managing director
Roy has more than 30 years of personal experience in the safety industry.
His grandfather founded Charles Owen in 1911 for the purpose of manufacturing military helmets for the British Army. The company transitioned into the equestrian market in 1938 with racing helmets for jockeys and quickly established itself as the gold standard for safety.
Roy received a chemistry degree from the University of Oxford (UK) and pursued a career in the corporate world before realising that his true interest lay in making a difference in peoples’ lives. He returned to Charles Owen and has since done just that by continually making the world a safer place for equestrian athletes.
Since taking the reins, Roy has been dynamic in leading industry research and setting new standards for safety technology. Today, he is widely recognised as a world expert in leading safety design. He travels internationally to present talks on the company’s latest innovations and to share his wealth of knowledge with the riders who benefit directly from Charles Owen’s commitment to keeping them safe.
Roy has been recognised by ASTM and the British Horse Society for his contributions to safety research, and he has served on the European Standards Committee and co-chaired the task group that sets ASTM standards.
Roy’s passion for research has led to groundbreaking discoveries regarding the variables that determine the severity of a fall and in concussion reduction. He has led Charles Owen to think outside the box in order to construct new materials and more accurate standards for helmets and body protectors.
His dedication to research has been recognised with several international research grants that have allowed Charles Owen to further push the boundaries of innovation. Charles Owen was a first-round winner of the Head Challenge III Project, presented by the NFL, GE and Under Armour, in 2015.
Charles Owen is also involved in the HEADS project, a European network for Advanced Designs in Safety. The Innovation Training Network is funded under the European Commission’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Programme and aims to reach a new level of understanding of head injury and how head injury should be prevented.
Competition terms and conditions
Competition details form part of these terms and conditions.
Entry is open to residents of the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland except employees (and their families) of Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, its printers and agents, the suppliers of the prizes and any other companies associated with the competitions.
The entrant(s) must be aged 18 or over.
Proof of identity and age may be required.
Use of a false name or address will result in disqualification.
All entries must be made directly by the person entering the competition, who must submit a question either prior to or during the live chat, which is then answered and selected by our expert guest.
Entries made online using methods generated by a script, macro or the use of automated devices will be void.
No responsibility can be accepted for entries lost, delayed or corrupted, or due to computer error in transit.
The prizes are as stated, are not transferable to another individual and no cash or other alternatives will be offered.
The winner is responsible for expenses and arrangements not specifically included in the prizes, including any necessary travel documents, passports and visas. The prize does not include transport to and from the venue or any costs incurred while at the venue.
Prizes are subject to availability and the prize suppliers’ terms and conditions.
The promoters reserve the right to amend or alter the terms of competitions and reject entries from entrants not entering into the spirit of the competition.
In the event of a prize being unavailable, the promoter reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value.
The winner will be selected by Roy Burek at the end of the live chat and their details published at the time. The winner must email carol.phillips@timeinc.com by 5pm on Friday 29 July in order to claim their prize.
If the winner does not contact H&H via email, or is unable to comply with these terms and conditions, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to the runner-up selected by Roy Burek.
Confirmation of the prize will also be made in writing via email to the winner(s).
Failure to respond and/or provide an address for delivery, or failure to meet the eligibility requirements may result in forfeiture of the prize.
Where applicable, the decision of the judges is final based on the criteria set out in the promotion and no correspondence will be entered into over this decision.
Competitions may be modified or withdrawn at any time.
The provider of the prize is specified within the promotional material.
The Promoter is Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU.
In the event of a discrepancy between these standard terms and conditions and the details in the promotional material, the details of the promotional material shall prevail.
A list of winners will be available by writing into the publisher of the magazine or website at the Promoter’s address no earlier than six weeks (unless otherwise stated) after the close of the competition. Only the surname and county of the winners will be disclosed.