2016 Hat Rules

HAT RULE CHANGES 2016

British Dressage

A ‘Riding Hat’, designed to provide protection, must be worn at all times when mounted by anyone, whether or not a Competitor, at a BD Competition, including exercising, warming up and competing. 

Hats and hat covers must be predominately black, navy blue or a conservative colour that matches the rider’s jacket.

Top hats or uniform caps are permitted as an exception to this rule only for Advanced to Grand Prix classes (including FEI Young Rider level) but only for the warm up directly prior to the competition (which may include riding from horse box park/stable to warm up arena) and competition test. If a hat comes off during a dressage test, it must be replaced immediately; the rider may dismount or the hat may be handed to them.  The test will be restarted at the beginning of the movement during which it came off.  There will be no penalty for error of course, but if the hat is not replaced the Judge is to eliminate the competitor.

Organisers may require that Under 21 riders are to wear protective hats at all levels, if this is stipulated in the schedule.  Organisers may also prescribe venue-specific rules that are stricter than stated if clearly shown in their schedules.

Protective headwear must meet one of the following standards:

British – All PAS 015, VG1 - provided they are BSI Kitemarked  
European – VG1 - provided they are BSI Kitemarked 
American – SEI ASTM F1163 04a onwards and SNELL E2001
Australian & New Zealand – AS/NZS 3838 2003 onwards.

British/European - EN1384, BSEN1384 may be worn until 31st December 2016 but not thereafter.

Harnesses must be correctly fastened at all times whilst mounted. Competitors are strongly recommended to check their hats regularly and to replace them if damaged, or following a fall.

If a rider starts their test without wearing the correct headgear, the Judge is to ring the bell and instruct the rider to dismount and leave the arena.  At the discretion of the organiser and the Judge, the rider may restart the test once properly attired.  If a rider fails to comply with the instruction, the organiser is to eliminate the competitor from all classes on that day.  This will also apply if, as a result of a spot-check, a rider’s hat is found not to comply with the required standard.


BRITISH HORSE SOCIETY
G22.2: Protective Headwear
‘Protective Headwear’ must be worn at all times by anyone, whether or not a Competitor, riding anywhere at any BRC event. Harnesses must be correctly adjusted and fastened at all times. At all BRC Championships and Qualifiers ‘Protective Headwear’ must have been checked by an official to make sure that it is labelled with one of the accepted standards and then marked with a visible BRC ORANGE hat tag. Failure to do so will incur elimination.  Due to a change in the accepted standards for this year, BRC BLUE hat tags will no longer be accepted. ‘Protective Headwear’ constitutes a hat which meets one of the following standards:

British - PAS 015: 1998 or 2011 provided they are BSI Kitemarked
             VG1 01.040: 2014-12 provided they are BSI Kitemarked
European - VG1 01.040: 2014-12 provided they are BSI Kitemarked
American - ASTM F1163: 2004a or 04a onwards provided they are SEI marked
                 SNELL E2001
Australian and New Zealand - AS/NZS 3838: 2006 onwards provided they are SAI global marked

IMPORTANT CHANGE FOR THE CROSS COUNTRY PHASE: Only a “Jockey Skull” complying to the above standards may be worn for any XC phase. This must not have a peak, any peak type extensions or noticeable protuberances above the eyes or to the front and should have an even round or elliptical shape with a smooth or slightly abrasive surface. A removable hat cover with a light flexible peak may be used if required.

The use of head cams are strictly prohibited at any BRC affilited competition. This includes use on the head, chest, bridle or any other part of the horse or rider.

Please Note: Due to a change by the European Commission regarding EN1384 and BSEN1384 no longer being an accepted standard, all hats which only meet the standard EN1384 or BSEN1384, and do not comply with another standard from the above list, WILL NOT be accepted and therefore will not be permitted for any BRC competition. Hats which bear EN1384 or BSEN1384 along with another standard from the above list, will be tagged. For example, BSEN1384 & PAS015 (1998 or 2011) along with the Kitemark, would be acceptable, but not BSEN1384 on its own.

British Eventing

7.2 Hats. A ‘Riding Hat’, designed to provide protection, must be worn at all times when mounted by anyone, whether or not a Competitor, at a BE Event. Top hats and uniform hats are permitted as an exception to this rule only for dressage and mounted prize-givings (where appropriate) in Intermediate Championships and Advanced classes and in certain FEI classes.
If a hat comes off during a dressage test, it must be replaced immediately; the Competitor may dismount or the hat may be handed to them. The test will be restarted at the beginning of the movement during which it came off. There will be no penalty for error of course but if the hat is not replaced the Competitor will be eliminated.

Protective Headwear, as listed below, must be worn by Competitors at all times when mounted in BE80(T), BE90, BE100 and BE100 Plus classes.

When jumping, including warming up, all Competitors must wear ‘Protective Headwear’ i.e. a hat which meets one of the following standards:

British – All PAS 015, VG1 - provided they are BSI Kitemarked   
European – VG1 - provided they are BSI Kitemarked  
American –All SEI ASTM F1163 04a onwards and SNELL E2001
Australian & New Zealand – AS/NZS 3838 2003 onwards.

‘Protective Headwear’ must have been checked by an official to make sure that it is labelled with one of the above standards and then marked with a visible current BE ‘hat tag’.

Harnesses must be correctly fastened at all times whilst mounted.

For the Cross Country phase, only a “Jockey Skull” may be worn, this must have no peak, peak type extensions or noticeable protuberances above the eyes or to the front and should have an even round or elliptical shape with a smooth or slightly abrasive surface. A removable hat cover with a light flexible peak may be used if required.

Competitors are strongly recommended to check their hats regularly and to replace them if damaged, or following a fall.


British Showjumping
To give British Showjumping members the best chance of preparing for the changes in British Showjumping hat standards in future, please note the below ruling which will come into effect on the 1st January 2016


101.3 Hats. A ‘Riding Hat’, designed to provide protection, must be worn, at all times when mounted by anyone, whether or not a Competitor, at a British Showjumping competition. Harnesses must but properly adjusted and fastened at all times when mounted.
When jumping, including warming up, all Competitors must wear ‘Protective Headwear’ i.e. a hat which meets one of the following standards:
 

British – All PAS 015, VG1 - provided they are BSI Kitemarked
European – VG1 - provided they are BSI Kitemarked
American –All SEI ASTM F1163 04a onwards and SNELL E2001
Australian & New Zealand – AS/NZS 3838 2003 onwards.


Competitors are strongly recommended to check their hats regularly and to replace them if damaged, or following a fall.
British Showjumping shall not suffer any liability (whether for death or personal injury or for any consequential or indirect loss suffered) in relation to protective helmets worn by riders and in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing any failure by riders to wear protective helmets to the above standards.

Showing Council

Hats with the BS/EN1384 standard will continue to be permitted for use in affiliated showing competitions throughout 2015 and 2016 for those bodies which are Members of The Showing Council. For full list of Member Bodies please see The Showing Council website www.theshowingcouncil.co.uk

The Showing Council Member Bodies will be removing the BS/EN1384 from the list of recommended standards from the 1st January 2017.

NB: The Showing Council Member Bodies are allowing the BS/EN1384 standard to be worn until at least January 2017, however this may be extended depending on the publication of the new harmonised European standard, the date for which has yet to be confirmed. Equally, should a new European standard be agreed prior to 1st January 2017, The Showing Council Member Bodies reserve the right to update their Rules accordingly.

The Showing Council does advise that all Competitors should update their hats regularly and, when doing so, they should meet one of the current standards.

For further information, please contact your relevant Association or Society.

 

BETA Member Directory

Find a BETA member near you.
Search by company name or postcode

Or search by map / A-Z

Become a BETA Member

BETA offers a wide range of benefits including training, discounted services and our support as the only specialist equestrian business organisation in Europe. Become a member

Shop with confidence

Shop with confidence whereever you see this sign