BHA Safety Regulations

Have you seen the British Horseracing Authority safety regulations?

The BHA has introduced new minimum safety standards for rider safety equipment, including body protectors and riding helmets. All helmets or body protections worn riding a horse on a racecourse or under the care of a licensed trainer must be BHA-approved. These regulations come into effect on the 1st July 2025.

All body protectors need to meet the certified standard (BS) EN 13158:2018, have evidence of quality testing (e.g. the BETA approval mark) and be a Level 2 or Level 3 standard. Helmets need to comply with at least two different international testing standards, one of which must bear a quality mark such as the Kitemark, IC mark or SEI. One of the standards must be either PAS015:2011 or EN1384:2023. The other standard can be PAS015, EN1384:2024, Snell 20216 or late, ASTM 2015 or later.

Here is a list of types of hats that meet with the BHA and IHRB rules of racing. Additions to this list are made on a constant basis, to keep up to date head to the BETA website to see the most recent hats allowed.

Champion

RW Deluxe Jockey Helmet PAS015:201, BS EN 1384:2023, Kitemark to PAS015

X-Air Plus Jockey Helmet PAS015:2011, ASTM F1163:2015, Kitemark to PAS015

Revolve X-Air MIPS Jockey Helmet PAS015:2011, ASTM F1163:2015, Kitemark to PAS015

Revolve Vent-Air MIPS Jockey Helment PAS015:2011, ASTM F1163:2015, Kitemark to PAS015

Vent-Air Deluxe Skull PAS015:2011, ASTM F1163:2015, Kitemark to PAS01

Pro Ultimate Helmet PAS015:2011, Snell E2021, Kitemark to PAS01

Charles Owen

JS1 Pro ASTM F1163, PAS015:2011, Kitemark & SEI

Race II PAS015:2011 VG1 (valid until 30 June 25) Kitemark

MS1 SEI certification to ASTM F1163-15, Kitemarks to VG1 01-040 2014-12 and PAS015:2011, and a CE mark to VG1 01-040 2014-12

Pro II Plus Kitemarked to PAS015:2011 and certified by SEI to ASTM F1163.

Evoke

Orion Jockey Skull       PAS015:2011, EN1384:2023, Kitemark

KEP

Cromo 2.0 Jockey       ASTM F1163:2023, EN1384:2023, SEI

Carbon E-Light Jockey ASTM F1163:2023, EN1384:2023, SEI

Antares

Galaxy Race Riding Skull        VG1, ASTM F1163-15, SEI (only valid until 30 June)

Kask

Dogma Skull   VG1, ASTM F1163-15, SEI (only valid until 30 June)

Samshield

Shadow Race                VG1, ASTM F1163, SEI (only valid until 30 June)