When do I have to wear a helmet, and what if the chin strap comes undone mid-round?

Everyone must wear properly fastened protective headgear at all times when mounted on a horse.

If you lose your helmet or your chin strap comes undone during your round, you must recover and replace it, or refasten the strap, immediately. You will not be penalised for halting to do so, but the clock is not stopped.

If you jump or attempt to jump an obstacle with the chin strap incorrectly fastened or not fastened, you are Eliminated, unless it was unsafe to stop immediately to refasten it (for example if the strap comes undone in the middle of a combination or one or two strides before the obstacle).

Senior athletes may remove their helmet while accepting prizes, during the national anthem and during other ceremonial protocol. Removing a helmet at any other time is entirely at the athlete's own risk. Handing a mounted athlete their helmet (or glasses) during a round is not unauthorised assistance.

Source: Equestrian Australia National Jumping Rules, effective 1 January 2026, Art 207.1, 249.2.1 and 263.4.