Earlier this year, Equestrian Australia (EA) published a progressive update to the helmet standards accepted for EA competitions in Australia. (Note: implementation timelines for FEI competitions are earlier.) Full details are available at the EA National Helmet Standards page.
EA's published standards outline which helmets will be accepted at EA competitions during the periods indicated. While EA does not regulate helmet compliance outside of competition, we strongly encourage all athletes to transition to helmets that meet the post-1 January 2029 standards as soon as possible.
Wearing a compliant helmet in competition is the sole responsibility of the athlete. In line with other leading equestrian nations, EA uses a colour-tagging system to help officials identify compliant helmets.
We've received a number of questions about how the tagging system works:
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Q: What happens to helmets that already have a yellow tag but no longer meet EA’s accepted helmet standards from 1 January 2027? |
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A: It remains the rider’s responsibility to ensure that the helmet they wear in competition meets EA’s accepted standards at the time of competition. A yellow tag does not remove this responsibility. EA does not intend to undertake a systematic interim process to recheck, re-tag or remove tags from previously tagged helmets. Officials may, however, check a helmet for compliance at any reasonable time.
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Q: How will officials know whether a yellow-tagged helmet is still compliant after 1 January 2027? |
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A: Yellow tags will remain in circulation during the transition period, so the presence of a yellow tag alone should not be relied upon as confirmation that a helmet meets the standards currently in effect. Riders are responsible for checking that their helmet meets EA’s accepted standards. Officials may check a helmet for compliance at any reasonable time. |
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Q: Do I have to wait until 1 January 2029 to receive a green tag if my helmet already meets the standards that will apply from that date? |
| A: No. A helmet that already meets the standards that will apply from 1 January 2029 can be green-tagged now. |
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Q: Will yellow-tagged helmets be re-inspected and re-tagged during the 1 January 2027 to 1 January 2029 transition period? |
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A: No. EA does not intend to conduct an interim re-tagging program. Riders remain responsible for ensuring that the helmet they wear in competition meets the standards in effect at that time. Helmets that meet the standards applying from 1 January 2029 can be progressively green-tagged. |
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Q: Are there insurance implications if I use a helmet outside competition that does not meet EA’s accepted competition standards? |
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A: EA’s General Regulations require helmets meeting EA’s accepted standards to be worn at competitions. Those competition requirements do not extend to private riding settings, such as riding at home. Accordingly, using a helmet outside competition that does not meet EA’s competition standards would not ordinarily, by itself, affect access to EA insurance coverage. However, insurance coverage ultimately depends on the circumstances of a particular incident and the applicable policy terms. |
To view all current helmet standards, visit: equestrian.org.au/content/helmet-standards-and-tagging
For further questions, please contact your State Branch or email [email protected].
