The United States Equestrian Federation’s board of directors has voted unanimously to approve two new rules mandating the use of helmets for eventing and dressage, at the recent USEF Annual Convention.

Effective immediately in the U.S., everyone at nationally rated eventing competitions must wear protective headgear when mounted. Beginning March 1st, a similar rule will go into effect at national dressage competitions. Anyone who is on horseback on the showgrounds must wear a helmet, except those riders competing at the FEI level who are 18 or older. A competitor using the same horse for both FEI and national classes, however, must wear protective headgear at all times when riding that animal.