Rodney Powell body protectors have been manufactured since 1989 by the family run business of the Coopers.
In the 1970’s and 1980’s Roger and Carol Cooper built up the world leading Hy Jumpers windsurfing brand. Market leaders through innovation and attention to quality. As wind surfing became ever more progressive (wash wave sailors flying 50 foot into the air) Hy Jumpers developed a range of impact flotation vest harnesses, which allowed sailors complete freedom of movement with total torso protection.
The Cooper family were then and still are, passionate horse riders and in 1989 when their daughter Katie showed a flair for Eventing they decided to use their skills experience in torso protection to provide Katie with more comfort and security than the shapeless garments being sold as equestrian body protectors at that time.
As no safety standards for body protectors existed in 1989 the Coopers soon found a gap in the market for a well-fitted garment, offering high protection which could be made in the riders’ own cross country colours and the first Powell Body Protector was born. Roger took to the road visiting shops while Carol stayed at home making up orders at her sewing machine. It was a chance meeting with Rodney Powell at the bar at Badminton that clinched the brand name. Rodney took a small stake in the company and A partnership evolved which has seen Rodney Powell Body Protectors used by most of the major names in world eventing. Rodney then went on to win Badminton on The Irishman II, helping to push the name even further onto the market.
At first the Rodney Powell Body Protector was seen to be an ‘elitist’ garment because it was so ahead of its time and different to anything ever seen before in the horse world. But by the introduction of the 1995 BETA Standard for Horse Riders’ Body Protectors, the success of Powell Body Protectors was well underway, it had pioneered the way forward for all body protectors as it was the first to be made available for sale in different lengths and width fittings. Through a special ‘made-to-measure’ service, which is available through all stockists and to this day, Roger and Carol promise they can make a body protector to fit anyone.
From the start, Roger has been heavily involved in Body Protector standards development. Working for BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association) to develop the first equestrian body protector standard in 1992 and then representing Britain as technical representative on the European Standards Committee which developed European body protector standard EN1315 2000 (and subsequently the 2009 revision). Roger is chairman of the BETA Safety Committee and has worked to ensure that the BETA standard still ensures the ultimate safety reassurance throughout the world.
The business started in Cornwall close the Wiegersma’s legendary ‘Tregembo’ estate but as Katie’s eventing skills progressed it was decided best to relocate to Somerset to reduce travelling with the horses and production was moved to a converted barn in the Blackdown Hills. Growth soon required another move to an industrial unit in Wellington, and then to a purpose built factory in 2003 which has allowed for dramatic streamlining of production and with the aid of computerised equipment it has now seen lead times in peak season fall from four weeks to less than four days, even considering the vast size range on offer.
Roger lectures for BETA on the BETA Body Protector and Hat fitting courses and works hard towards broadening the BETA mandate to educate riding instructors and riding school establishments on how body protectors should fit. It is the company mission to help make it clearer to everyone just how a body protector should fit correctly and safely. K C Sports will only supply retail outlets with staff that are happy to be trained on how to fit the product correctly. Three staff are employed to oversee initial training courses and refresher training courses in shops all over the UK. Katie and her husband Tarka have also joined the company with direct responsibility for marketing and product development.
‘Powell company policy still remains to achieve innovation, quality and comfort by design.’
