New England Dressage Association

Policy Regarding Protective Headgear

The New England Dressage Association (“NEDA”) is concerned about rider safety, and recognizes that riders must be correctly attired for the equestrian activity in question, that attendants be neatly dressed and that horses be properly presented.  In accordance with these principles, NEDA has adopted the following helmet policy, effective January 1, 2011.  This policy complies with USEF Rule DR120.5, which was amended effective March 1, 2011, and is in some respects more comprehensive than Rule DR120.5.    

Any NEDA Events Other Than Horse Shows Recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation

At any NEDA event other than at a horse show recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation (including, but not limited to, schooling shows, clinics and symposiums):

• ~ It is compulsory for all riders (and, beginning in 2012, clinicians) to wear properly fastened protective headgear which meets or exceeds American Society for Testing and Materials / Safety Equipment Institute (“SEI”) standards for equestrian use and carries the SEI tag (“Protective Headgear”) while riding anywhere on the event grounds at any time during the NEDA event. 
• ~ All Protective Headgear must be properly fitted with harness secured. 
• ~ Any rider without Protective Headgear will immediately be prohibited from further participation in the NEDA event until such headgear is properly in place and/or, at NEDA’s sole discretion, may be prohibited from participating further in the NEDA event. 

 NEDA Horse Shows Recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation

At any NEDA horse show recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation, except as may otherwise be mandated by local law:

• ~ It is compulsory for (a) all riders under age 18, (b) all riders while on horses competing in national level tests, (c) all riders competing in para-equestrian tests, and (d) all riders while on non-competing horses to wear Protective Headgear while riding anywhere on the show grounds at any time during the horse show.  When a horse is competing in both national and FEI levels or tests (e.g. Fourth Level and Prix St. Georges), the rider must wear protective headgear at all times when mounted on that horse on the competition grounds and during all tests.
• ~ It is compulsory for all riders over age 18 competing in FEI tests to wear Protective Headgear while riding anywhere on the show grounds at any time during the horse show, except:  (a) after their warm-up, when the rider is about to enter, or is in, the competition ring, or (b) when the rider is about to enter, or is in, an awards ceremony (at which point, in either situation, the rider may wear any attire the FEI has approved for the competition ring). 
• ~ Once the rider has left the competition ring or awards ceremony, the rider must promptly return to wearing Protective Headgear if the rider remains mounted. 
• ~ Any rider may wear Protective Headgear in any division or test at any NEDA horse show without penalty.  NEDA strongly encourages all riders to wear Protective Headgear at all times when mounted.  
• ~ All Protective Headgear must be properly fitted with harness secured. 
• ~ Any rider without Protective Headgear will immediately be prohibited from further riding until such headgear is properly in place. 

NEDA Publications and Website

Beginning in 2012, it will be NEDA’s policy that all photos of mounted riders that appear in any NEDA publication or on NEDA’s website comply with the principles of this policy. 

It is the responsibility of the rider, or the parent or guardian or trainer of the junior exhibitor to see to it that the Protective Headgear worn complies with appropriate safety standards for protective headgear intended for equestrian use, is properly fitted and is in good condition, and NEDA and its affiliates and associates are not responsible for checking Protective Headgear for such compliance.

NEDA makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, about any Protective Headgear, and cautions riders that death or serious injury may result despite wearing such headgear as all equestrian sports involve inherent dangerous risk and no Protective Headgear can protect against all foreseeable injuries.

Printable Version (PDF)