New Helmet Rules Adopted by USEF

At the recent annual meeting of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the board of directors approved new helmet rules for riders in both eventing and dressage.

One rule change requires anyone on a horse to wear a ASTM/SEI-approved helmet at all times while mounted on competition grounds at nationally rated eventing competitions. The rule change is effective immediately. Another rule change, effective March 1, 2011, requires any dressage rider mounted on a horse, except those age 18 and over, to wear protective headgear while on horses that are competing in FEI levels and tests at the Prix St. Georges level and above (including FEI Young Rider Tests, the USEF Developing Prix St. Georges Test, and the USEF Brentina Cup Test). Additional details regarding rules for protective headgear for dressage and eventing will be posted here.