'Baffling' US dressage ban on some headpieces

The US federation has introduced a rule banning a certain type of headpiece - only in pure dressage

- BECKY MURRAY

HEADPIECES that do not have continuous padding across the poll will no longer be allowed in some US dressage, in a decision described as “baffling” by one manufacturer.

Under the US Equestrian (USEF) rule, from 1 September the crownpiece (headpiece) may be padded and have elastic inserts, but “must be smooth and continuous across the poll, and rectangular or in the same shape as the crownpiece”.

The rule applies to USEF and US Dressage Federationlicensed dressage competitions. A USEF spokesperson said athletes competing in CDIs must follow FEI rules on saddlery. An FEI spokesperson confirmed to H&H that there are “no specifications in the FEI regulations regarding the shape and size of the padding of the crownpiece”.

A USEF spokesperson told H&H members were able to comment before the rule was approved. It was proposed in “reference to studies being conducted around the application of pressure of the crownpieces to the poll”.