WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A NEW RIDING HELMET Helmet Safety

REVISED FALL ATTACHMENT A TO POLICY 0125 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR HELMETS CRITERIA AND DISCLAIMER: THE UNITED STATES PONY CLUBS, INC. RECOGNIZES THAT RIDING IS AN INHERENTLY DANGEROUS EQUESTRIAN SPORT AND CONSIDERATION OF SAFETY IS OF EXTREME IMPORTANCE. PARTICIPATING IN ANY EQUINE ACTIVITY CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH AND AS A RESULT INDIVIDUALS MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY. WEARING A PROPERLY FITTED EQUESTRIAN HELMET, SECURELY FASTENED, CONTAINING CERTIFICATION THAT IT MEETS THE CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY THE FOLLOWING INTERNATIONAL OR NATIONAL SAFETY BODIES IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY USPC ACTIVITIES: ASTM F1163 (NORTH AMERICA) (THIS IS REQUIRED FOR USEF COMPETITIONS) BS-EN 1384 (UNITED KINGDOM) AS/NZ 3838 (AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND) PAS 015 (UNITED KINGDOM) USPC REQUIRES HELMETS TO BE WORN BY MEMBERS DURING ANY MOUNTED ACTIVITY (EXCEPT VAULTING), AND IN SOME UN MOUNTED ACTIVITIES (LONGEING.) Why Helmets ?

SIZE THE HELMET TO THE RIDER—TRY IT ON!! FIT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN BRAND SNUG FIT -- NO GAPS NO PRESSURE POINTS PROPERLY FITTED HARNESS -- SNUG TO CHIN First, Consider the Fit – Sizing is Paramount

Second, Consider Your Sport … Hunt Seat vs Eventing Polocrosse vs Dressage Racing vs Vaulting

One prominent helmet maker states that percent of a helmet’s protective ability is compromised with each impact. At 25 percent disability—the helmet is not longer effective at protection…. So Why is This Important?

BRITISH HELMET TAGS – BRITISH RIDING HELMET STANDARDS ARE UNDER REVISION SIMILAR TO MEDICAL WRIST BANDS APPROVED BY USEA AND USPC – MAY - OR MAY NOT - CONTAIN PERSONAL MEDICAL DATA COLOR CODED IDENTIFICATION OF ACCEPTABLE HELMETS New Things Coming …

THE UNITED STATES PONY CLUBS, INC. REQUIRES THAT THE ABOVE CONDITIONS BE MET WHEN PARTICIPATING IN AN ACTIVITY SPONSORED BY THE USPC, ITS REGIONS, REGISTERED CLUBS OR RIDING CENTER PROGRAMS. THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE AN ENDORSEMENT, GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY OF THE PRODUCTS SPECIFIED. TO LEARN MORE, GO TO: Conclusion