Helmet Rules: In case you didn't know, the USEF passed the helmet rule change on Sunday morning that will require strapped certified helmets to be worn at all times when mounted in USEF divisions at events.

The date that the rule change will go into effect has not been official announced, but it probably will be announced this week in a press release from the USEF and USEA. From what I have heard, the eventing helmet rule will go into effect immediately.

Our friends in the pure dressage world also passed a helmet rule at the USEF board meeting on Sunday. All dressage riders are required to wear ASTM certified and strapped helmets when mounted. Riders in FEI level tests may switch to their top hats, but only for their test. For everyone else, it is all helmets all the time.

Well I'm all for that, nothing wrong with helmets. Now if they'd just come out with a elite line of western hat helmets.....

baha i can just picture stylish wetern helmets making their debut at the NFR and PCRA next year....

I think it's a great idea, elite but definitely as low profile as possible without losing any safety effects. Maybe make them with flesh-colored chin straps so they don't take away face appeal ROFL!!! Heck I'd even love to see them at AQHA's and even NRCHA's...

over here in Oz we have to wear approved helmets for all non western events.. though camp drafting and team penning are bringing in the rule that no helmet no ride

AQHA:: haha! as long as it dosn't interfere with any, ahem, rear-view apeal im fine with it!

Harharhar... I should hope not!

I know so horse rider does not like to wear helmet but using a helmet is so important.I think this rule is very important to safe riding....

The "fashion" of hard hats ...seems to have not followed our North American riders to the UK [Badminton]. So much for conviction.

Ditto... :0

Helmets are one of the most important of all equipment involved in horses. You don't want to fall off your horse without one or you'll suffer severe injuries and possibly death. I don't understand why anyone would consider riding without a helmet. A while ago my horse spooked and I was thrown off for the first time in my entire life (I'm a beginner rider) and I'm glad that I was wearing a helmet because the impact of the fall could've caused severe damage.

The rules of helmets is only for your safety. The use of helmets lead to protect your life from danger. By wearing helmets you can be protect your self from any kind of injury which lead to save your life.

The use of helmet is necessary as helmet protect a person from getting injured. Wearing helmets protect you from various accident and your life will be safe.

The rules of the helmets are only for your safety and for the protection. It is necessary for a person to wear the helmets as it protect you from danger.

This is really such a self absorbed topic. If you want a helmet to save your life, you'd wear a full face helmet with a neck brace and spine shield. Helmets are meant to take some of the impact and help to prevent serious brain injury, and that is about it. There is a whole hell of a lot more body to protect from injury that can kill you.

[strong sarcasm]Because smashing your face into your skull, breaking your spine, crushing your chest, piercing your lungs or a myriad of other organs with a rib is totally not at all a possibility when dealing with unpredictable prey animals. No, not at all. Hm. But I guess I'll only wear a helmet because someone said so and totally ignore the other possibilities of what could possibly not happen to me for dealing with an animal that I like to pretend I can totally control just because I control its food supply. And then I will laugh and laugh and laugh every time someone says I should wear a helmet and only helmet.[/end strong sarcasm]

Had to, sorry. :3 This really is just such a touchy topic. I think the federations are doing it because of insurance liability at facilities more than anything else. Equine accidents are called freak accidents for a reason.