Canadian Eventing has New Protective Headgear Regulations

Source: CEC/EC News Release/Julie Cull

Canadian Eventing Committee Adopts new Protective Headgear Regulations

As a continuing initiative to improve the safety of the sport of eventing, the Canadian Eventing Committee has adopted new regulations regarding the use of protective headgear.

The intent of the rule modification is to require the use of protective headgear while warming up for all tests now—including dressage—and it applies to all competitors. The modification also mandates all competitors in the Preliminary division and below to wear protective headgear complying with EC Rules for Eventing Art D114.1.1 while performing the dressage test. Intermediate and Advanced level competitors have the option of wearing protective headgear while performing the dressage test.

Effective May 1, 2011—Modification to Equine Canada Rules for Eventing Art D 114. DRESS will read as follows:

ARTICLE D114 DRESS

1. Protective headgear.

1.1 Approved protective headgear complying with European (EN), British (PAS), North American (ASTM), and Australian/New Zealand tested standards is compulsory for anyone jumping an obstacle

1.2 The wearing of protective headgear described in Paragraph 1.1 is mandatory for all competitors and non-competitors at all times while riding anywhere on the grounds including in non-competition areas and warm up areas

1.3 Failure to wear appropriate headgear or riding with an incorrect or unfastened retention harness shall be penalized by elimination at the discretion of the Ground Jury.

4. Dress

4.1 Dress – Dressage test

4.1.1 Combined Tests and Horse Trials: (Entry through Preliminary) – Protective headgear in compliance with Art D 114.1.1 - black , or dark colour must be worn Protective Hat covers if worn must be solid black or dark colour. Coat- dark colour or tweed, tail coats are not permitted; Shirt –white or light colour with stock and pin or chocker or tie. Gloves dark colour, tan beige or white; Britches – light colour or white (brown britches permitted when worn with tweed jacket); Boots – black, dark brown, black with brown top, field. Boots must be long boots in one piece or a full grain smooth leather leg piece and matching leather boot. Jodhpur boots only permitted with appropriate britches. Spurs are not compulsory. Protective headgear may be worn without penalty.

4.1.2 Combined Tests and Horse Trials (Advanced and Intermediate) - Protective headgear in compliance with Art D114.1.1 or Hunt Cap or bowler. - black or dark colour must be worn. When tail coats are worn: top hat – black or dark blue permitted. Other dress requirements as above except no tweed coat is permitted Shirt-white or light colour stock with pin. Gloves (required) white or dark colour. Britches – as above. Boots –preferably black dress. Protective headgear may be worn without penalty.

Members of armed service and police forces: service dress with gloves.

Spurs in accordance with Art D114.3 are compulsory at intermediate and advanced divisions.

About Canadian Eventing
Canadian Eventing is the committee of Equine Canada responsible for the sport of eventing in Canada from the grassroots to the international level. The Canadian Eventing Committee is comprised of 12 members, including two rider representatives elected by the Elite Riders Association. Directed by the Strategic Plan for Eventing, all Eventing activities are administered by this committee via six sub-committees with the support of an eventing manager based at the Equine Canada office in Ottawa. For more information about Canadian Eventing, visit http://equinecanada.ca/eventing/en.