Parent's Guide to Pony Club Australia National Gear Rules All ages 2026

A rider is not permitted to ride with non-compliant gear. If your child does not pass gear check and does not re-present with compliant gear (borrowed, mended or from their own spare equipment), they risk elimination from a competition and/or being unable to ride at a rally or muster.

• Allow time: the rules ask riders to allow time for re-presenting if something is not correct.
• No changes afterwards: gear cannot be changed after a gear check unless the rider re-presents.
• Who is responsible: the final responsibility, especially for rider attire and saddlery, rests with the rider or their parent/guardian. Gear check is a compliance check as well as a safety check, but it is up to riders, parents and guardians to also make sure gear is safe.
• Breaches: the PCA Conduct and Disciplinary Policy applies to any alleged breach of the National Gear Rules.

Source: Pony Club Australia National Gear Rules, effective 1 January 2026.

The 2026 National Gear Rules (1.14) list these helmet standards:

• Australia/New Zealand: AS/NZS 3838, marked SAI Global.
• Australia/New Zealand racing helmets: ARB HS 2012, marked SAI Global.
• American: ASTM F1163, marked SEI or SNELL E2001.
• British: PAS 015 (1998, 2011 or 2015), BSI Kitemarked.
• European (new, interim): VG01.040 (2014-12), which may be abbreviated "VG1" on the label. New helmets may carry both the EN1384 and VG01.040 marks.

The rules note that the FEI has updated its helmet standards from 1 January 2027, and that the PCA safety committee will review these and update any changes in the first quarter of 2026.

Source: Pony Club Australia National Gear Rules, effective 1 January 2026.

Appendix 1 of the National Gear Rules says:

• Fit: the helmet should fit snugly but comfortably and sit low at the front to protect the forehead. With a correctly adjusted harness, you cannot remove the helmet, or roll it backward or forward to expose the forehead, obscure vision or hit the nose. If the skin on the forehead moves with the helmet, the fit is correct; if not, the helmet is too loose. Tie hair up so it does not get in the face.
• Gear check: stewards may ask the rider to demonstrate fit by placing one hand on top of the helmet and moving it side to side and back and forwards.
• Replacement: helmets should be replaced every five years. After a hard-blow impact accident it is recommended to replace the helmet immediately, regardless of age, because there may be damage not visible to the naked eye.
• Tags: helmet tags on the harness showing the helmet is within date are permitted, but they do not replace a physical inspection by a gear checker.
• Stickers: helmets must not have aftermarket decals, as they can affect the safety construction.
• Covers and peaks: helmet covers should be in registered Club or Zone colours (pom poms permitted). Peaks can be fixed or detachable, and detachable sunshades and brims must be in neutral colours.

Source: Pony Club Australia National Gear Rules, effective 1 January 2026 (1.14, 1.15 and Appendix 1).

• When: body protectors are mandatory when jumping fixed obstacles (Group B disciplines such as cross country, hunter trials, Hickstead Derby, supercross and the tetrathlon riding phase) for all ages and grades. They are also mandatory for Ride to Time and Speed to Safety.
• Training too: approved or mandatory gear for a discipline applies at both training (rally, muster, clinic) and competition level.
• Standard: the body protector must be equestrian make and of standard BETA:2009 or BETA:2018 Level 3, or EN13158:2009 or EN13158:2018 Level 3.
• Older models: 2009 Level 3 models (produced until 2018) are permitted until 1 January 2027 if in good condition.
• Open riders: non-members competing at a Pony Club run event need an approved body protector where it is mandatory for the discipline.

Source: Pony Club Australia National Gear Rules, effective 1 January 2026 (1.04).

The National Gear Rules (Appendix 9.1) say a body protector should cover the whole circumference of the torso, with lacing at the sides for minor adjustment and an arm inlet as small as possible without causing discomfort.

• Front, bottom edge: covers a minimum of 25mm below the ribcage (1 to 2 fingers width).
• Front, top edge: the centre should reach the top of the sternum.
• Back, top: fits up to the prominent bone at the base of the neck (C7).
• Back, bottom edge: at least 7cm (4 to 6 fingers width) gap between the bottom edge and the saddle.
• Replacement: it is recommended that body protectors be replaced every five years, and checked regularly for wear and tear.
• After a fall: inspect it for damage. If the foam is dented, it should return to its natural shape within 30 minutes. If it does not, replacing it is recommended because the impact absorption may have decreased.
• Air vests: if worn, they must be worn over a body protector. They do not provide skeletal protection in the same way.

Source: Pony Club Australia National Gear Rules, effective 1 January 2026 (1.01, 1.04 and Appendix 9.1).

• Rally and muster uniform (also training days, clinics and trail rides) is set by each Club, and for some Clubs is the same as formal uniform. It includes an approved helmet, riding boots, and jodhpurs, breeches, stockman-cut or moleskin trousers, or jeans. It also needs one of: a Pony Club jumper or vest with shirt and tie, shirt and tie only, or a polo top or windcheater in Pony Club colours.
• Formal (competition) uniform usually applies to high-level events (Club, Zone, State and National level) and to showjumping type, dressage type and show ring type events. It is the formal uniform defined by your Club, Zone or State and registered with State Office. It includes an approved helmet, riding boots, and jodhpurs, breeches, stockman-cut or moleskin trousers, plus what your Club, Zone or State specifies as formal (for example jumper or vest, shirt and tie; ratcatcher or stock; or a polo top or windcheater in Pony Club colours).
• Jumpers and vests: must be in Club or Zone colours and worn over a shirt. In hot weather, event organisers may announce that jumpers, vests or jackets can be removed, and riders or Clubs can ask organisers to do this.
• Wet or cold weather gear: permitted subject to the event organiser's permission, with no loose flapping parts such as hoods. Competitor numbers must stay clearly visible.
• Sun smart: Pony Club Australia's Sun Smart Policy encourages long sleeved polo tops.

Source: Pony Club Australia National Gear Rules, effective 1 January 2026.

• Boots: close fitting equestrian boots with firm sides, full smooth soles (any tread no more than 3mm deep) and a low, defined, square-cut heel at least 14mm high. Boots must be black or brown. Zips are permitted.
• Cowboy-style boots: Roper, Redwing or Thomas Cook styled boots in black or brown can be worn, but only with jeans or stockman-cut trousers, with the pants covering the top of the boots. Maximum height is 30cm (12 inches) and the heel must be flat, not Cuban.
• No tucking: loose-fitting pants (jodhpurs, stockman's cut, jeans and so on) cannot be tucked into boots.
• Gaiters and chapettes (half chaps): permitted (except in vaulting). Gaiters are leather or synthetic leather. Chapettes are suede, black or brown to match the boots, with a zip fastening and not Velcro.
• Gloves: permitted and must be equestrian style.
• Trousers: rallies and musters use jodhpurs, breeches, stockman-cut or moleskin trousers, or jeans. Formal uniform uses jodhpurs, breeches, stockman-cut or moleskin trousers. Brightly coloured pants are only permitted for rallies, musters, training days, fancy dress, musical rides and Group B (cross country type) disciplines; otherwise they should be neutral colours (white, beige, cream, black, navy and so on).
• Shirts: must be white or in registered Club colours and not sleeveless.

Source: Pony Club Australia National Gear Rules, effective 1 January 2026 (Section 1 and the attire definitions).

Whips

• General purpose or jumping whip: up to 75cm including the flapper, with a flapper at least 50mm long and at least 20mm wide. Permitted in all groups except Mounted Games, Campdrafting and Polocrosse, and Lungeing (only a lunge whip is permitted there).
• Whip loops must be cut off, and the flap cannot be altered.
• Length limit: the whip (without the lash or flap) also cannot be longer than the height from the wither to the ground of the mount.
• Dressage whips: for ponies under 14.2hh up to 1000mm long, for larger horses up to 1200mm. Permitted for pure dressage and for the dressage phase of combined training or horse trials (Group C).
• Hacking cane: up to 75cm, for show classes only (Group F).
• Racing whip: permitted wherever other whips are permitted, except Group F and Lungeing.
• All whips must have a flap or lash, except hacking canes.

Spurs

• Permitted spur shanks must not exceed 45mm including the heel band, the end of the shank must be blunt and the arms smooth.
• Shanks cannot turn upwards or jut from the side, and the shank must be at least 7mm wide at the end nearest the horse.
• Several spur types are listed as not permitted in specific disciplines, for example Mounted Games, Horse Archery, Vaulting, Lungeing and Fancy dress.

Source: Pony Club Australia National Gear Rules, effective 1 January 2026 (2.30 and Appendix 3).

The 2026 National Gear Rules say:

• Mobile phones: not permitted for riders. Exceptions: a supervising rider in a small group on a trail ride may carry one, and one may be carried on navigation rides for emergency use only (other uses result in elimination). Coaches may carry one for safety while coaching.
• Cameras (e.g. GoPro): not permitted on the helmet, rider, horse or saddlery.
• Music players, headphones and ear buds: not permitted. Hearing aids are permitted.
• Rings: must be removed, or worn under gloves (plain flat bands can be taped or covered by gloves).
• Necklaces and bracelets: non-medical ones must be removed. Medical necklaces and bracelets are permitted, with any medical disk visible.
• Earrings: stud earrings are permitted in all disciplines except Mounted Games, but must be taped over if larger than 5mm in diameter. No other types of earrings are permitted.
• Facial piercings: must be taped over.
• Hair: hair below shoulder level must be tied back neatly so it does not obscure competition numbers.
• Watches: normal wristwatches are permitted in all disciplines except Vaulting.

Source: Pony Club Australia National Gear Rules, effective 1 January 2026.

Not without approval. Gear that is not included in the National Gear Rules cannot be used. If your child wants gear listed as "not permitted", or gear that is too new to be in the rule book, you must submit a Gear Exemption Form (https://form.jotform.com/PonyClubAust/GearExemptionForm). Exemptions may be granted in exceptional circumstances and clear reasons are required.

• Waiting: your child cannot use the gear at any Pony Club event (rally, muster, training or competition) until you have permission in writing.
• Result: you get an email, and approved exemptions appear in JustGo under "Credentials" to print. Allow up to three weeks.
• Length and scope: an exemption can last up to three years, and applies only to that rider and the horse nominated.
• Gear checks: the written permission must be shown at all gear checks.

Source: Pony Club Australia National Gear Rules, effective 1 January 2026.