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Eventing Ireland

2023 Hat Rule Reminder

Rules General News

Find about about the new headgear rules of 2023

Will athletes please be aware that from 1 January 2023, the following headgear PAS 015 1998 and SNELL 2001 will no longer be accepted or tagged at any Eventing Ireland competitions or training events.  As a result, ALL hats must now be re-checked and a new hat tag will be issued before you can compete either at training or national competition.  If you are seen riding in an untagged hat or hat with an old hat tag, you will be sent to the secretary’s office to have your hat checked.

Testimonial

Eventing Helmets

Please read and remind yourself of the hat rules, as follows:

  •  Protective headgear is mandatory at all times for all phases.  Protective Headgear is defined as “Appropriate Helmet or Headgear that is in compliance with the applicable international testing standards.  It must be properly fastened with a three point retention harness at all times when mounted”.
  • Any Athlete (as well as any other person) violating this provision must immediately be prohibited from further riding until the Protective Headgear is properly in place.
  • Protective headgear must meet one of the following standards:

European Standard Riding Helmets

  • All PAS 015 (2011) *
  • VG1 01.040 2014-12 *

* with BSI Kitemark or Inspec IC Mark

Protective headgear carrying a CE Mark including products referencing the VG1 performance specification but excluding products referring exclusively to the EN1384:2012 unless it is shown in conjunction with another accepted standard from the present list

American Standard Riding Helmets

  • American ASTM F1163: 2004a and subsequent updates
  • American Snell 2016 (Snell combines a standard with subsequent quality testing, therefore no additional quality testing mark is required)
European
  • All PAS 015 (2011) *
  • VG1 01.040 2014-12 *

* with BSI Kitemark or Inspec IC Mark

Protective headgear carrying a CE Mark including products referencing the VG1 performance specification but excluding products referring exclusively to the EN1384:2012 unless it is shown in conjunction with another accepted standard from the present list

American
  • American ASTM F1163: 2004a and subsequent updates
  • American Snell 2016 (Snell combines a standard with subsequent quality testing, therefore no additional quality testing mark is required)
Australian & New Zealand
  • All AS/NZS 3838 (2006 and any subsequent updates)
The CE mark on its own IS NOT ACCEPTABLE
  • Fixed peak hats used for dressage and show jumping are NOT acceptable when worn cross country.
  •  Skull/jockey hats are acceptable for dressage, show jumping and cross country phases.

Hat Type

Accepted Phase

New Approved Hat Tag

Skull Cap (no peak)

DR, SJ, XC

Red 

Fixed Peak

DR & SJ ONLY

Red and White Stripe

  •  All Protective headgear worn in all EI Competitions (both training and competition) must show a visible current EI hat tag (see above).
  • Untagged hats must be checked and tagged before being used in either a training or competition class.
  • Wearing an untagged or incorrect headgear for a phase could result in a penalty at the discretion of the Eventing Ireland Steward
  • Athletes are strongly recommended to check their headgear regularly and to replace if damaged, ie: following a fall.

If you have any questions, please contact Alison Packman in the first instance.

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