Question about Hunt Caps?

[Livetoride1286]

What are the rules for Hunt Caps in recog/unrecog. events? I thought you must have a certified helment on in all events but apparently not....been seeing lots of hunt caps used in dressage and even stadium......very confused.

thanks!:confused:

[Hilary]

Adults can wear a hunt cap if they are not jumping -so hacking around or dressage.

If you see a true hunt cap (no harness) in stadium that's a problem. But you can jump in your helmet and change to a hunt cap for your photos.....

[Janet]

"Unapproved" hunt caps ARE legal for dressage.

But they are NOT legal for show jumping, or any jumping.

From the rule book
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 in 1b through 1f, except as may otherwise be mandated by local
law (see also GR801):
b. Upon arrival, wearing a hard hat is compulsory for anyone riding a horse on the flat.
c. While jumping any obstacle all riders 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.
...
5. DRESSAGE TEST.
a. Horse Trials (Beginner Novice through Preliminary)—Hunt Cap—black or dark blue;
....
b. Horse Trials (Intermediate and Advanced)—Two Day & Three Day Events. As above
except no tweed coat. When tails are worn: Top Hat—black or dark blue;
...
Protective headgear
may be worn without penalty. (See General Rules, GR801)
...
7. JUMPING TEST. Hunting dress or uniform. Protective headgear, with chin harness,
designed expressly for equestrian use in accordance with paragraph 1 above.

[Madeline]

Smart people wear their approved helmets all the time.

[Mach Two]

Many Upper Level riders change into hunt caps for ribbons/photos/victory gallop after stadium.
That is where you are seeing the photos of them in jump attire wearing a hunt cap.

[tle]

All that said, unrecognized events USUALLY follow USEA rules... but don't have to (that's what makes them unrecognized). I attended one last year where the judge actually stopped me after my dressage test to correct my attire (I wasn't wearing a hunt coat but it was a 1 day - which as of last year is perfectly legal).