Last spring, Equine Canada, the national governing body of equestrian sport for Canada, implemented a rule requiring approved protective helmets for dressage riders competing at Fourth Level and below and in certain young horse and equitation tests.
As of Jan. 1, 2012, Canada has expanded this rule to include all riders at Equine Canada sanctioned shows. The rule now states:
The rule was decided after Dressage Canada solicited feedback on the topic from its membership. Most members were thoroughly in favor of helmet use during competition.
“I am very proud of our Dressage Committee for taking this step,” said Equine Canada president Michael Gallagher. “I believe we are the first national federation in the world to introduce this rule across all levels, and I can guarantee we will not be the last.”
Currently, the United States requires helmets for all dressage riders at United States Equestrian Federation competitions except for adult riders mounted on horses competing only at FEI levels.
Yuck, helmets stink!!!! I feel bad for all those people who have to wear helmets now! =(
All riders, regardless of their discipline, should wear helmets when they are on a horse. A lot of accidents occur on the flat. I’m hoping that dressage riders in the US will soon be required to wear helmets. Glad that was made a rule in Canada.
A helmet saved my life last spring when my horse was stung by a bee and threw me off. I’ve been wearing one EVERY SINGLE RIDE since I was a kid…thirty years ago.
That is such great news!
Now, I just wish you would offer a simple helmet which we could get from redeeming points.
That’s great news! I wish we could get this rule in western disciplines, too. I ride western and ALWAYS wear a helmet, but I feel so alone around other western riders. I want to start showing soon and I’m somewhat self-conscious about being one of the only western riders wearing a helmet.