Rider Safety

Despite a reduction in rider injury rates over the past decade, equestrianism will always remain a high risk sport. As soon as you get on a horse, there is a risk. Ensuring rider safety products are fitted correctly and meet the required standards, reduces the risk significantly.

Endurance magazine catches up with the industry’s leading organisations and manufacturers to offer guidance on correctly fitted equipment and brings you the latest safety products reviewed by your fellow endurance riders.

BETA Safety Week, has been running for three years and is supported by many of the sport’s top riders and organisations. The annual awareness-raising campaign was postponed back in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had originally timed the campaign to tie in with the start of the competition season, but many events and competitions have, sadly, been cancelled. Now, we’re facing the start of the ‘new’, delayed competition season as the disciplines propose their starts in some way. A rescheduled BETA Safety Week will give riders returning to competition the chance to check that their equipment still meets the rules and is fit for purpose.” said BETA executive director Claire Williams.

BETA Safety Week encourages riders to visit participating BETA retailers for reliable advice on all aspects of safety gear and equipment such as body protectors, riding hats hi-viz and footwear. Ms Williams added: “Fitting safety garments such as riding hats and body protectors can be a closecontact process, so retailers have revised many of their procedures to cater for concerns around distancing and hygiene."

For more information or to find a list of participating BETA retail members, please visit www.beta-uk.org

Safety products for the

Endurance rider

Product Review

TIPPERARY SPORTAGE HELMET

Rachel Owen

When I started endurance, I wanted to find a riding hat that was lightweight and comfortable for the long hours I would be spending in the saddle. The hat I already had was quite heavy and my head would sweat even on cool days. After much research I came across the Tipperary Sportage.

It really is the comfiest hat I have ever ridden in, its super lightweight and is really well ventilated making it extremely breathable, even on the hottest of days my head stays cool. The inner pads are removeable so they can be washed and the chin strap is really comfortable too. The helmet itself is an amazing fit.

Fit Effectiveness Value for money

Product Review

ZILCO OSCAR VIBE HELMET (BRONZE)

Fit Effectiveness Value for money Lorna Hogg

I purchased my Zilco Oscar Vibe helmet from Riding & Harness Stuff back in 2019. It met the required standards for competing in endurance with SERC and Endurance GB (i.e. conform to current European [EN], British [PAS], North American [ASTM/SEI], or Australian [AS/NZS] standards) and came in a lovely bronze colour which I really liked. (It is manufactured to European VG1 and American ASTM standards)

I’d worn another of these hats when helping a friend with carriage driving and was impressed at the comfort and adjustability so when I decided it was time for me to have a new hat, I knew this would be the make and style I would go for. The hats provide good airflow, but I perspire on warm days when I am active without a hat, so with a hat I’ll always have some moisture. The lining on this hat is made of removeable mesh so it can be washed which I find to be a great feature, as well as the dial adjustment to help achieve great fit and comfort. I can find that throughout a long day depending on heat, that slight adjustment can be required.

Product Review

HIT AIR JACKET

Product Review

HELITE TURTLE AIR VEST

Gaynor Jones Fit Effectiveness Value for money

I am an Endurance GB rider who, for the past 20 years had always ridden in an Airowear level 3 body protector.

Over the years I have had several falls and always ended up with a touch of whiplash. On research I chose to purchase the Hit Air Jacket. This was because when the lanyard is triggered it Inflates outwardly as opposed to some of the other 'Air jackets' that tend to crush your ribs damaged my back. I knew I needed a body protector if I wanted

and you have trouble to breathe.

I had a few trials, one at the 'Vetgate' when I got off and forgot to unclip, it inflated with a bang! Several competitors now know what it sounds thought of them.

like! My horse looked on as if to say 'not again' and didn't move. The first time he heard it he immediately moved to the side but stood still.

I like the fact that the neck piece inflates and 'stops' the whiplash action, second to none. When the Helite Turtle Air Vest is inflated I have

and before I hit the ground was fully inflated, so it was a bounce as opposed to a thud!!

I find the jacket comfortable to wear and wear it on its own without a body protector underneath for endurance graded and competitive rides. You can purchase a foam panel which fits nicely in the back for

I will continue to ride in my Hit Air Jacket as it has saved me on several occasions and is very comfortable to ride in.

Fit

The vest sizes are on the generous side

Effectiveness Value for money

Carol Chapman

I had never considered back protection until I fell and severely to continue riding.

My internet search began, what was available, I spoke to endurance friends, tried their protectors on for comfort and asked what they

Eventually I bought my back protector from Helite UK because they gave me confidence in their products and their customer service was added protection, I invested in one.

air protection from my head to the base of my spine but I also have the added protection of the additional hard shell to protect my spine (this model was originally designed to protect motorcycle riders).

I find this vest comfortable, and it is not restrictive. I simply clip the vest on to my saddle and away I go. The air bag deploys in less than a second.

Does your body protector fit correctly?

A

B

Founded in 1970, Racesafe has established itself as a globally recognised brand at the forefront of making the equestrian world safer and improving performance.

When choosing a body protector it is important to consider performance and comfort, combined with the protections from the European & BETA safety standards. However, this is reliant on riders having a correctly fitting body protector. Below, we run through some simple checks you can do to make sure you're properly protected. The correct fit and areas of coverage are universal, so you can follow these steps even if you don't have a Racesafe body protector.

Step 1: Chest & Waist Within the range of side adjustment, you should be able to achieve a snug, yet comfortable fit over a light layer of clothing.

If the body protector is still loose or moves when you're riding, it is probably too big. If on the maximum level of safe adjustment it's tight and restricts breathing or movement, then you need a larger size.

Step 2: Body Length Your ribs are an important area of protection and should be covered by the front of the body protector. Feeling for your bottom ribs, they should be covered by the foam panels. If they're exposed, then the fit is too short in the body. Likewise, the front should not come down too far and beyond your natural tipping point, or it's likely to become restrictive whilst riding.

The examples show A) fitting too short in the body and B) fitting correctly.

Step 3: Back Length For the correct back length, we are looking for lower back protection, but with enough clearance to stop the saddle interfering. The exact length is down to personal preference, your saddle type and its intended use.

Sitting in your saddle, use your normal range of movement whilst riding and check if there is the necessary clearance. The width of 3/4 fingers between the body protector and the seat of the saddle is also a good guide to use.

The regular back length in example C) is a good length, with the D) short and E) long back options shown being on the short and long side respectively.

Traditionally there was a tendency to fit body protectors too long in the back and some people thought they were designed to cover coccyx, but that isn't the case! Most of the issues we see from badly fitting body protectors come from them being fitted too long.

Our Promise We strongly believe that with current lightweight, breathable designs, body protectors no longer have to be uncomfortable or restrictive! If that's something you're living with, we'd encourage you firstly to check the fit and then to try one of our latest models at one of our stockists

You can find more information and size advice on our website and if you'd like any advice, please feel free to speak to one of our experts.

www.racesafe.co.uk

C

D

E

Reviews

Gill Campbell

I purchased my Racesafe Body Protector in 2015 after a nasty fall when I broke a couple of ribs. As my mare had previously reared over backwards with me, I thought this a prudent purchase!

I had it fitted in the shop but standard size not a perfect fit, so it went to Racesafe for slight alterations.

I needed it back for a specific ride and they rushed it through and back to me in less than the quoted time scale. Excellent service and now a perfect fit.

Camilla Mascall

Like many of us, I rode for years without thinking about wearing a body protector, first coming across them when children were at Pony Club. And I wasn’t going to take advice from my daughter saying if she had to wear one then so should I. (She has gone on to become a Health and Safety adviser to Chester Zoo where she can insist keepers take her advice). However, I did reconsider things when offered a friend’s horse to compete while she was side-lined due to injury and my horse was temporarily out of action. Somehow, I felt I was more likely to come

Fit Effectiveness Value for money

They are expensive but what price do you put on your safety?

Have worn it every time I’ve ridden since then. Many times over 100km and during very high temperatures.

I’m hardly aware of wearing it, moulds to your body and does not restrict in any way. Also does a great job as a sports bra!

I have had a few falls since wearing it and am certain it has protected me from injury.

If you are looking for a body protector, I recommend Racesafe. A proven product

and a great company to deal with.

Fit Effectiveness Value for money

off a horse I did not know as well as my own. I didn’t come off this lovely mare and my worst accident was when my 22-yearold horse I had owned from a foal, slipped and fell on me.

So, accidents can and do happen, fortunately then I was wearing my Racesafe! I chose the Racesafe as it felt cool, lightweight and comfortable to wear. Carefully fitted I found the child size fits me best. I have now come full circle and would not ride anywhere without one. Even in the hottest weather, I am hardly aware I am wearing it.