What are the rules on whips and spurs?

Whips

• Riders of horses may carry a whip up to 1.20 m; riders of ponies up to 1.00 m. The tassel is included when measuring.
• One whip may be carried and used in the exercise and warm-up areas, and in all tests up to and including Advanced level.
• Whips are not to be carried in FEI-level tests at State and Australian Championships.
• Incorrect length or use of a whip entails elimination.
• You may not take the reins in one hand and a whip in the other and use it on the horse in the competition arena; that entails elimination.

Spurs

• Optional at all levels, and must be a matching pair.
• Metal or hard plastic, with the shank pointing directly back from the centre of the spur and the tip not pointing up or inwards. The arms must be smooth.
• Disc rowels must be blunt, smooth and free to rotate. Daisy rowels, tines, and notched or serrated edges are not permitted.
• Pony riders, regardless of age, may only wear spurs no longer than 4.0 cm, measured from the boot to the tip of the spur. There is no maximum length for riders of horses.
• Incorrect or non-compliant spurs entail elimination.

Source: EA National Dressage Rules 1 January 2026, rules 3.15.1, 5.5 and 5.6.