United States Eventing Association

After last year’s limited opportunities for most eventers to compete, it’s not surprising that many equestrians are paying extra attention to their competition schedules this year. With riders aiming for an opportunity to reach the championship level, and the 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds coming up at the end of the summer, we've developed a rule refresher regarding attire and equipment at the horse trial vs championship levels.

Text has been taken directly from the USEF Rules For Eventing.

EV114 Dress

1. PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR.

a. At all levels of eventing competition, from beginner novice through advanced, at Federation Endorsed competitions and recognized competitions, riders must wear headgear as follows, except as may otherwise be mandated by local law (see also GR801):

b. Upon arrival, anyone riding a horse must wear properly fitting protective headgear which passes or surpasses ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)/SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) standards for equestrian use and carries the SEI tag. Harness must be secured and properly fitted.

c. It is the responsibility of the rider, or the parent or guardian or trainer of the junior exhibitor to see to it that the headgear worn complies with appropriate safety standards for protective headgear intended for equestrian use, and is properly fitted and in good condition, and the Federation, Show Committee, and Licensed Officials are not responsible for checking headgear worn for such compliance.

d. The Federation makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, about any protective headgear, and cautions riders that death or serious injury may result despite wearing such headgear as all equestrian sports involve inherent dangerous risk and as no helmet can protect against all foreseeable injuries.

e. Violation of this rule at any time, at the discretion of the Ground Jury, shall be penalized and may result in elimination.

1. PROTECTIVE VESTS.

a. A body protecting vest must be worn warming-up for and in the cross-country test. Stable, team or club colors are permitted. The Federation recommends that the vest should pass or surpass the current ASTM standard F1937 or be certified by the Safety Equipment Institute. Inflatable vests are permitted only when worn over a body protecting vest.

b. Violation of this rule shall be penalized at the discretion of the Ground Jury, and may result in elimination.

1. WHIPS.

One whip no longer than 120 cm (47.2 in) including lash may be carried when riding on the flat at any time. One whip no longer than 120 cm (47.2 in) may be carried during the Dressage Test except in USEF/USEA Championships and USEA Championship divisions. As an exception, riders competing sidesaddle may carry a whip in the dressage test at all competitions, including championships. A standard lunge whip may be used when lunging a horse. If a whip is carried in the Cross-Country and/or Jumping Test, or while jumping any obstacle before these tests, it must not be weighted at the end or exceed 75cm (30”) in length. An adjustable-length whip may not be carried by a mounted rider.

1. SPURS.

a. Spurs are optional for all three tests. Spurs capable of wounding a horse are forbidden. Spurs must be of smooth metal. If there is a shank it must not be longer than 4 cm (1 9/16 inches, measured from the boot to the end of the spur) and must point only towards the rear. If the shank is curved, the spurs must be worn only with the shank directed downwards. Metal or plastic spurs with round hard plastic or metal knobs “Impulse spurs” and “Dummy spurs” with no shank are allowed.

b. Rowel spurs - Spurs with rowels are allowed in the three Tests and when practicing/warming up. If they are used, rowels must be free to rotate and the rowel must be round and smooth (no tines allowed).

1. DRESSAGE TEST.

a. Horse Trials (Beginner Novice through Preliminary)—protective headgear—any color helmet will be allowed; tasteful and discreet accents such as a different color or modest piping or crystal decorations, are acceptable, including National Flags; Coat—any single color jacket will be allowed, including tweeds and pinstripes, tasteful and discreet accents, such as a collar, cuff, lapel, piping, of any color, or crystal decorations, are acceptable. Tail coats are not permitted; Shirt— of any color and design, tasteful and discreet accents, such as a collar, cuff, piping, are acceptable with stock and pin, or choker, or tie; Gloves (if worn)—dark color, tan, beige or white; Jodhpurs, Breeches—light color or white; Boots— black, brown, or other dark hue, modest piping of a different color is permitted, field, jodhpur or a black or brown full grain smooth leather leg piece and matching leather boots. Chaps and/or half-chaps are not allowed. Members of armed and police forces, service dress, regulation headgear and spurs in accordance with EV114.

b. Competitors at Beginner Novice through Modified may compete without a jacket. In such cases, shirt - long or short sleeved with collar and without neckwear, any color and design; tasteful and discreet accents, such as a collar, cuff, piping, is acceptable, neatly tucked into riding breeches.

© USEF 2021 EV - 13

c. Horse Trials (Intermediate and Advanced). As above, with the exception gloves and coats required. Tail Coats permitted. Members of armed and police forces, service dress with gloves, regulation headgear and spurs in accordance with EV114. Members of armed and police forces, service dress with gloves, regulation headgear and spurs in accordance with EV114.

1. CROSS-COUNTRY TEST.

Light-weight clothing is appropriate for this Test, a shirt (any color) with sleeves must be worn. Protective Headgear in accordance with paragraph 1 above. This headgear may be any color. Breeches or jodhpurs may be any color; Gloves (if worn) may be any color; Boots—black, brown, or any dark hue, modest piping of a different color is permitted, field, jodhpur or a black or brown full grain smooth leather leg piece and matching leather boots. Chaps or half-chaps are not allowed.

1. JUMPING TEST.

Protective headgear, any color helmet will be allowed; tasteful and discreet accents, such as a different color or modest piping or crystal decorations, are acceptable, including National flags. Gloves (if worn)—dark color, tan, beige or white; Jodhpurs, Breeches—light color or white; Boots—black, brown, or other dark hues, modest piping of a different color is permitted, field, jodhpur or a black or brown full-grain smooth leather leg piece and matching leather boots. Chaps or half-chaps are not allowed. Member of armed and police forces, as in EV114.5.b. Coat (if worn) any single colored jacket will be allowed, including tweeds and pinstripes; tasteful and discreet accents, such as a collar, cuff, lapel, piping of any color or crystal decorations, are acceptable. Shirt— of any color and design; tasteful and discreet accents, such as a collar, cuff, piping, is acceptable, a stock with pin, choker, or tie. Eventing Tests, Beginner Novice through Modified at any horse trial format: Competitors may compete without a jacket. In such cases, a shirt – long or short-sleeved with collar and without neckwear, of any color and design; tasteful and discreet accents, such as a collar, cuff, piping, is acceptable, neatly tucked into riding breeches.

1. At the Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced levels when all three phases of a Horse Trials are contested over one day, competitors may compete without a jacket. Protective headgear, protective vests, and clothing as above.

EXTREME WEATHER. At temperatures above 85°F, a heat index above 85°, or at the discretion of the Ground Jury or the Organizer, competitors in preliminary, intermediate, and advanced levels will be permitted to compete without jackets, in the dressage and/or jumping tests. In such cases, competitors must wear either a long or short-sleeved shirt of any color and design; tasteful and discreet accents, such as a collar, cuff, piping is acceptable without neckwear; members of the armed forces and police units may ride in their summer uniforms. In inclement weather competitors may wear a windbreaker jacket or raincoat over their clothing; their number must be visible.