PrintThe Fédération Equestre Interationale Eventing Committee recommended that riders and national federations stay informed of the latest technology of air vests and how they relate to rider safety in the cross-country phase.
Currently there isn’t an international industry standard, but the committee is working to gather and analyze enough information to make a further decision advocating the use of these jackets, which inflate upon rider ejection and help protect from impact.
“There is no doubt that air vests represent an important development in rider protection, but protective clothing is not the magic solution to rider safety. It needs to be considered in combination with active measures such as correct training, responsible riding, course design and fence construction,” said Committee chairman Giuseppe Della Chiesa.
The jackets, which were introduced in 2009, were made more popular by Oliver Townend’s statement that the Point Two Air Jacket saved his life after a crash at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in April.
