After first being announcement in September 2016, a further reminder to all competitors that from the 1st January 2018 British Eventing will no longer permit the use of BETA Level 3 body protectors with the 2000 label. No garments with the BETA 2000 standard have been produced since 2011 making any body protector with this label a minimum of five years old. Following discussions with the BE Risk Management Committee and advice from BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association), body protectors with this 2000 label will not be allowed for use at BE competitions from 1st January 2018.

Competitors will have until the 1st January 2018 to replace any 2000 label items with a BETA Level 3 body protector made to the 2009 standard or any later revision to the standard. Claire Williams (Executive Director of BETA) commented;

“I commend British Eventing on giving riders plenty of notice that the rules will be changing. BETA 2000 has served us well since its introduction in 2000 however now there are garments potentially being used that are up to 16 years old, so well past their “use-by” date. General wear and tear over long periods as well as falls can have a detrimental effect on the ability of a garment to offer the protection needed so the change to the BE rules is welcomed.” More information on BETA safety standards can be found here.

Further to this, after extensive discussions and the commissioning of an independent report, British Eventing is continuing the permitted use of the Exo BodyCage for those few riders that would like to wear them.

Any wearer of the BodyCage should be encouraged to inspect their garment for wear and tear particularly to the foam panels and to the side fastenings. Garments should not be worn if they have suffered any damage as this could seriously impair the protection offered. The competitor should also declare to the secretary that they will be wearing the Exo BodyCage so that officials can be alerted to this.