Safety helmets are to be mandatory for all British Dressage (BD) riders, except for advanced and above, effective December 1, 2011.
The head gear rules for dressage were changed in response to a groundswell of concern about safety that was brought to prominence after Olympian Courtney King-Dye was seriously injured in a horse accident early in 2010 and is undergoing extensive rehabilitation
Earlier this year riders were asked to give their opinion on possible BD rule changes — which included safety helmets, allowing horses to be downgraded when they have reached the upper points limits for each level and a cap on the number of tests ridden in one day (news 28, April).
The new rules are similar to those enforced by the United States Equestrian Federation and draft rules for 2012 for international competition which will be discussed at the FEI general assembly in November.
In the USA, all riders under the age of 18 years must wear protective head gear at all levels, including FEI, as well as riders in FEI Dressage Tests for 4, 5 and 6 year-old horses as well as USEF test for 4-year-old horses.
The rule states: “At any time while mounted on the competition grounds, all riders under age 18, and all riders while on horses competing in national level tests, all riders competing in Para-Equestrian tests, and all riders while on non-competing horses, must wear protective headgear as defined by this rule…”
Protective headgear is defined as a riding helmet which meets or exceeds ASTM/SEI (American Society for Testing and
Materials/Safety Equipment Institute) standards for equestrian use and carries the SEI tag.