All pony club clothing can be purchased online through Ambition Sport Website
The dress code for each of the individual sports is given in the individual rule books. However, there are some items of dress that have safety implications. Members are expected to dress correctly and safely for all Pony Club activities.
- Clothing – When mounted at Pony Club activities, Members should wear a riding jacket or Branch / Linked Centre sweatshirt, plain-coloured jodhpurs, a suitable plain-coloured shirt with a collar and The Pony Club tie. As a minimum shoulders must be covered for all riding activities, except for Sports where long sleeves are compulsory.
- Footwear – Only standard riding or jodhpur boots with a fairly smooth, thin sole and a well defined square cut heel may be worn. Plain black or brown half chaps may be worn with jodhpur boots of the same colour. No other footwear will be permitted.
- Jewellery – The wearing of any sort of jewellery when handling or riding a horse/pony is not recommended and if done at any Pony Club activity, is done at the risk of the member/their parent/guardian. However, to stop any risk of injury, necklaces and bracelets (other than medical bracelets) must be removed, as must larger and more pendulous pieces of jewellery (including
those attached to piercings) which create a risk of injury to the body part through which they are secured. For the avoidance of doubt a wristwatch, wedding ring, stock pin worn horizontally and/or a tie clip are permitted. It is recommended that stock pins are removed for cross country. - Hair – Must be tied back securely, in a safe manner to limit the risk to hair being caught and prevent scalp injuries. Sports may have additional rules.
- Medical Armbands – Medical Armbands are advised if not accompanied by a responsible adult, including hacking on roads and are compulsory for Pony Racing and for Endurance rides.
- Hats and Body Protectors – These are to be in accordance with guidance and meet recommended Safety Standards as detailed in the Rulebooks
Body Protectors 2024
A body protector is compulsory for all Pony Club Cross Country riding (including Arena Eventing)
and Pony Racing activities whether it be training or competition. A body protector for these
activities must meet BETA 2018 Level 3 Standard (blue and black label).
For general use, the responsibility for choosing body protectors and the decision as to their use must
rest with Members and their parents. It is recommended that a rider’s body protector should not be
more than 2% of their body weight. When worn, body protectors must fit correctly, be comfortable
and must not restrict movement. BETA recommends body protectors are replaced at least every
three to five years, after which the impact absorption properties of the foam may have
started to decline.
Air Jackets
If a rider chooses to wear an air jacket in Cross country or Pony Racing, it must only be used in
addition with a normal body protector which meets BETA 2018 Level 3 standard (blue and black
label). Parents and Members must be aware that riders may be permitted to continue after a fall in
both competitions and training rides for Cross Country and / or Pony Racing if the First Aid provider
has no concerns about their welfare. In the event of a fall, an air jacket must be fully deflated or
removed before continuing, the conventional body protector must continue to be worn. Air jackets
must not be worn under a jacket. Number bibs should be fitted over the air jacket loosely or with
elasticised fastenings.
Hat Rule 2024
Members must always wear a protective hat when mounted. Only hats to the following specifications are
acceptable at any Pony Club activity. The Pony Club is consistent with fellow British Equestrian (BEF)
Member bodies in its Standards for Riding Hats. Individual sports may have additional requirements with
regard to colour and type. It is strongly recommended that second-hand hats are not purchased.
The hat standards accepted as of 1st January 2024 are detailed in the table below:
-Hat Standard Safety Mark
-Snell E2016 & 2021 with the official Snell label and number
-PAS 015: 2011 with BSI Kitemark or Inspec IC Mark
-(BS) EN 1384:2023 with BSI Kitemark or Inspec IC Mark
-VG1 with BSI Kitemark or Inspec IC Mark
-ASTM-F1163 2015 & 2023 with the SEI mark
-AS/NZS 3838, 2006 with SAI Global Mark
Note: Some hats are dual-badged with different standards. If a hat contains at least one compliant hat standard it is deemed suitable to competition, even if it is additionally labelled with an older standard.
• For cross-country riding (at all levels) including Eventing, Arena Eventing, Tetrathlon and Hunter Trials,
together with Pony Racing (whether it be tests, rallies, competition or training) and Mounted Games
competitions, a jockey skull cap must be worn with no fixed peak, peak type extensions or noticeable
protuberances above the eyes or to the front, and should have an even round or elliptical shape with a
smooth or slightly abrasive surface, having no peak or peak type extensions. Noticeable protuberances
above the eyes or to the front not greater than 5mm, smooth and rounded in nature are permitted. A
removable hat cover with a light flexible peak may be used if required.
• No recording device is permitted (e.g. hat cameras) as they may have a negative effect on the performance
of the hat in the event of a fall.
• The fit of the hat and the adjustment of the harness are as crucial as the quality. Members are advised to try
several makes to find the best fit. The hat should not move on the head when the head is tipped forward.
The Pony Club recommends you visit a qualified BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association) fitter.
The Pony Club, Safety & Welfare November 2023
• Hats must be replaced after a severe impact as subsequent protection will be significantly reduced. Hats
deteriorate with age and should be replaced after three to five years depending upon the amount of use.
• Hats must be worn at all times (including at prize-giving) when mounted with a chinstrap fastened and
adjusted so as to prevent movement of the hat in the event of a fall.
• For Show Jumping: hat covers, if applicable, shall be dark blue, black or brown only. Branch/Centre team
colours are permitted for team competitions.
• For Dressage: hats and hat covers must be predominately black, navy blue or a conservative dark colour
that matches the rider’s jacket for Area competitions or above. The Pony Club Hat silk is also acceptable.
• For Mounted Games: hat covers, if applicable, shall be dark blue, black or brown only.
• The Official Steward / Organiser may, at their discretion, eliminate a competitor riding in the area of the
competition without a hat or with the chinstrap unfastened or with a hat that does not comply with these
standards.
Hat Checks and Tagging
The Pony Club and its Branches and Centres will appoint Officials, who are familiar with The Pony Club hat
rule, to carry out hat checks and tag each hat that complies with the requirements set out in the hat rule with a Pony Club hat tag. Hats fitted with a Pony Club, British Eventing (BE) or British Riding Club (BRC) hat tag will
not need to be checked on subsequent occasions. However, the Pony Club reserves the right to randomly spot
check any hat regardless of whether it is already tagged.
Tagging is an external verification of the internal label and indicates that a hat meets the accepted
standards. The tag does NOT imply any check of the fit and condition of the hat has been undertaken.
It is considered to be the responsibility of the Member’s parent(s) / guardian(s) to ensure that their hat complies with the required standards and is tagged before they go to any Pony Club event. Also, they are responsible for ensuring that the manufacturer’s guidelines with regard to fit and replacement are followed.