In a unanimous vote on Nov. 19, delegates to the Fédération Equestre Internationale General Assembly in Moscow voted to require protective headgear while riding and during the marathon phase of combined driving events, beginning Jan. 1, 2021. That date was chosen to allow for education and so manufacturers could produce enough helmets to meet the demand.

According to Article 140, the only time athletes may remove their helmets would be if applicable sports rules allow for this while accepting prizes, during the playing of the national anthem and other ceremonial protocol. Failure to wear protective headgear when required will result in a yellow warning card unless exceptional circumstances apply.

This mandatory protective headgear rule would not apply to vaulting.

The U.S. Equestrian Federation requires ASTM/SEI-approved helmets at all times while mounted for hunter/jumper, eventing and dressage, but the FEI rules superseded the USEF rules, which meant athletes could don top hats for FEI dressage competition.