Safety Rules The thrill of cross-country, more often than not, is what draws riders to eventing. Naturally, it is also the most dangerous phase. Because of that, there are many extra safety equipment requirements in place for riders. So, if you plan on hitting the cross-country course anytime soon, here’s what you’ll need: ASTM/SEI approved helmet: While properly fitted and approved helmets are required in all phases (with few exceptions in dressage), it is recommended that a skull cap with a helmet cover and flexible visor be used for cross-country. “A fixed peak that doesn’t absorb energy is going to be less protective and you could potentially incur other injury such as a broken nose,” says Charles Owen and Co. Director of Marketing, Danielle Santos. “In the U.S., at this time, you can ride de cross-crountry in [any] ASTM/SEI certified helmet. However, there is a certain amount of visibility that is made greater when you don’t have a visor over your eyes. S So your vision is expanded in a skull cap and I believe there is a potential for improved aerodynamics as well.” Body protector: Eventing vest, cross-country vest, crash vest, body protector—no matter what you call it, one is required on cross-country. They are designed to protect your vital organs and spinal cord without interfering with your riding, if they fit properly. “It should
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CHARLES OWEN AND CO.
suspect that you have a head injury, I can’t make you go to the hospital, but you are done. I can get together with the [technical delegate and safety coordinator] and make sure you don’t compete again,” says Walton. “And now, they have it to where, through the organization, they can make sure this person—depending on how severe my medical findings—can’t compete for seven days, 14 days, or they can’t compete again until they have a doctor’s note.”
Protect Yourself All of these actions by the USEF, United States Eventing Association, and event organizers are for your protection, but it’s up to you as a
protect the rib cage, because underneath the rib cage is all your vital organs, so the panels should at least meet, if no ot overlap at the sidee underneath your arm,” explains Roy Burek, Managing Director of Charles Owen and Co. “The front of the body protector should come down about an inch below the ribs, but it shouldn't come down as low as your belly button, because your belly button is where you tend to crease when you bend. And it’s very important that a body protector doesn’t restrict your ability to tuck and roll, because that’s your natural defense. “And then the back should come down to your tail bone. But, you should always ssit in a saddle [when trying one on],” he adds, “and when you’re sitting up, you should have about a 2-3"-inch gap between the body prrotector and the saddle.” Polo or o long-sleeved shirt: Sleeves are a m must in the cross-country phase, and that is to help prevent surface damage wherever possible in the case of a fall or a run-in with a tree or other immobile object. Medical armband or bracelet: In the event of an emergency, your most important medical information needs to be readily available to paramedics, which is why they require it to literally be on your person in both jumping phases.
rider and competitor to try to prevent serious damage, recognize when you do have symptoms of a concussion, and pull yourself from activity until you’re fully healed. Again, it may be impossible to avoid head injuries altogether while riding, but there are a few precautionary measures you can take. First of all, it is crucial that you not only always wear and secure your helmet while mounted, but also make sure it is properly fitted, which should be determined by someone who has been trained to do so, according to Danielle Santos, Director of Marketing at Charles Owen and Co. To get the correct sizing, “[The fitter] should take a tape measure and measure [the costumer’s] head—without the hair involved—around the temple, June 2013
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