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FEI Exploring Stronger Helmet Regulations


On December 7, 2023, the Federation Eques-


trian International’s (FEI) Helmet Working Group released information and a proposal for testing protocols. T e study and proposal are part of the FEI’s ongoing work to improve ath- lete safety. T e FEI Helmet Working Group was created in April 2023 and tasked with re- viewing current literature and testing standards to evaluate if additional testing recommenda- tions to helmet manufacturers are needed. T e FEI Helmet Working Group is a panel of international experts from engineering, standards, manufacturing, medicine and horse racing industries as well as representatives from elite level Eventing athletes. T e group is chaired by Dave Voss, PhD. T e group’s December 2023 report shared


data from the FEI Eventing Risk Manage- ment Group which showed that in 2022, FEI Eventing worldwide reported a rider fall rate of roughly one in 24 starts across all levels of competition. T e FEI recorded 21,470 starters in 2022 with 912 rider falls. T e rider concus- sion rate was reported as approximately one in 69 falls (one in 1263 starts). In addition, the data reported a concussion


rate of one in 16 falls associated with minor injury with one minor injury every nine falls. T ere was a reported concussion rate of one in three falls associated with serious injury with one serious injury in every 42 falls. A minor injury was defi ned as “sprains, bruises, and cuts judged not be severe, treated on site” while seri- ous injury was defi ned as “can be categorized as those that, in the opinion of the referring doctor, would require hospital admission for immediate treatment.” T e group’s report stated “a reasonable target likelihood of concussion per start should argu- ably be reduced from 1 in 1263 to 1 in 2500 starts, i.e., a roughly 50% reduction in concus- sion rate.” T is reduction rate would represent “signifi cant progress” in helmet performance, according to the report. T e report then went on to discuss what the group felt were the principal perspectives on a fall and the principal perspec- tive on allowable transmitted loads for helmets.


In conclusion, the group recommended these


additional requirements for equestrian helmets: 1. Meet at least two of latest versions of the helmet standards PAS, ASTM, EN, Snell; 2. Use latest test headform; 3. Meet combined translation/rotation 45 de- gree anvil test from 2.2m drop height, with no greater than 150g and 5500rad/s/s transmitted accelerations; 4. Include multiple test locations on the helmet; 5. Use a testline that represents the union of helmet head testline coverage defi ned in the various standards; 6. Incorporate compression (crush) load cases. T e report stated that several of the above


suggestions are already being incorporated by helmet testing labs and manufacturers. T e group’s desired outcome from producing the report “is to reduce risk of equestrian sport concussion injury by encouraging the develop- ment of higher performance products, through collaboration with the standards bodies to in- clude the above points in their qualifi cation tests for improved rider safety.”


1/ST Racing Announces 1-Year Schedule Extension


On December 29, 2023, the Maryland T or- oughbred Horsemen's Association, Maryland Horse Breeders Association and 1/ST Racing announced a one-year deal to continue live rac- ing in Maryland for 2024. T e deal also ensures that the Preakness Stakes will run at Pimlico in May as scheduled. During the 2023 legislative session, the General


Maryland Assembly created the


Maryland T oroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority. MTROA’s goal is to outline a plan for the future of Maryland racing. T e racing extension is to give MTROA more time to cre- ate this plan. An initial report was released on January 5. See a MHC Government Relations on page 28 for more details. To download the full report, see equiery.com and search for “MTROA Proposal.”


MHIB Awards $30,000 in Grants


T e Maryland Horse Industry Board award- ed $30,000 in grants to 35 organizations and


equestrian operations across the state. T e selec- tion committee chose the grant recipients from a pool of 60 applicants. Funding for these grants, and for MHIB itself, is provided by the Mary- land Feed Fund, which collects $6 on every ton of horse feed sold in the state. Since the fund was established in 2002, MHIB has awarded over $650,000 in grants to more than 400 projects. T is year’s recipients included funds for equine education,


leadership, history and


equine welfare projects, rodeo and Western riding programs, youth activities, therapeutic riding centers and other equestrian disciplines based in 15 of Maryland’s 23 counties. T e following MHC individual or association members received MHIB grants. Additional MHC Industry Professional members receiv- ing grants are listed on page 38 of this issue. • Page Etzler/Good Intentions Farm – to


support instructors taking a PTSD Equine T erapy certifi cation course • Regina Welsh/US Pony Racing – for re-


pairing and replacing saddle towels, website updates and promotional advertising • Tuckahoe Equestrian Center – to purchase a bush hog mower to maintain the facility


AQHA Releases Future Focus American Quarter Horse Association Chief


Executive Offi cer, Karl Stressman, released a list of the organization's focus points for the next few years on December 22, 2023. T e pri- mary focus of AQHA is to grow the organiza- tion through the following initiatives: • provide better tools for the staff to better


support members • acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of


AQHA membership and increase participa- tion in AQHA’s various programs, including but not limited to, Horseback Riding Program, Professional Horsemen, Ranching Heritage. • complete a comprehensive member survey


to determine the demographics and desires of the membership • develop a multidiscipline educational series


on animal welfare A complete list of updates and how AQHA plans to achieve these goals can be found on aqha.org.


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www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580 THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | FEBRUARY 2024 | 9


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