Health, Safety and Welfare Updates - August 2025

Concussion

Concussion is a risk in all sports and EA has resources and protocols in place to assist Athletes in best practice management of a concussion. Health and Safety Resources | Equestrian Australia and Risk Management | Equestrian Australia

Athletes, being the hardy folk that equestrians are, often want to shrug off or short cut the recovery process which can jeopardise their wellbeing.

Some quick (non-exhaustive) reminders below: -

Immediately after a diagnosed or suspected concussion, the Athlete must rest and should not be left alone, consume alcohol or drive a motor vehicle.

Athletes should follow the Graded return to Sport protocols outlined by the AIS and in particular are reminded that the suggested timelines are minimums and that they should only return to competition after the 21-day minimum stand-down period AND are at least 14 days symptom free AND have a clearance from a Medical Practitioner.

EA rules exclude athletes from competition until the 21-day minimum period has expired and they have received a medical clearance but ultimately it is the athlete's responsibility to follow the Graded return to Sport Protocol for their own wellbeing.

Improved Consistency in Warnings for Horse Abuse Incidents

Effective August 18th the EA General Regulations (applicable to all sports) were updated to include “excessive lunging “in the non-exhaustive list of actions constituting horse abuse.

Consistent with Dressage, Eventing and Jumping the Show Horse sport rules have been updated to require the issuing of a Yellow Warning card in substantiated instances of horse abuse and the list of officials authorised to give such a warning has been updated. Following a trial at Melbourne Royal last year some specifics around lunging have been added. 

Safety Reminders

Athletes, please remember that you must be checked by medical after having a fall at a competition - our enthusiastic officials will try to remind you but having this check completed is your responsibility.