New scheme aims to improve rider safety
Old hats will be collected and used in research to improve riding hat standards.
A new initiative is aiming to improve rider safety, by providing a voucher that will help with the cost of buying a new helmet when riders have suffered concussion.
The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) and British Eventing (BE) have teamed up to deliver the Helmet Bounty Scheme.
"Improving rider safety is an integral part of our work and we are tremendously pleased that the scheme - effectively a hat amnesty - will help to drive home the message that hats should always been replaced when they have been involved in an incident," said BETA executive director Claire Williams.
The scheme is aimed at riders that have been diagnosed with concussion while competing at a BE-affiliated event. To be eligible, riders must be diagnosed by an event medical officer during the cross-country phase of the competition. They must also pass on the details of their injury and return their hat to BETA and BE.
In return, riders will receive a £100 voucher towards the cost of a replacement hat.
Commenting on the drive, BE's sports operations manager Chris Farr said: "We are delighted to be working with BETA on this extremely important initiative, which will not only help riders to replace their hats, but those collected will be used by the trade association to conduct further research into improving riding hat standards."
The scheme will be introduced in time for the start of the 2016 eventing season.
Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.
