Champion riding hats outperform British safety standards tests day after day. Why daily? Because at Champion, we believe that hats should not only be safety tested at the design stage, but continually tested throughout manufacture. This investment in safety means that every Champion hat achieves the highly credited British Standard Kitemark and is a guarantee that every hat will comfortably outperform the four main areas of testing; penetration, shock absorption, harness strength and stability.
Each Champion riding hat conforms to the following specification;
1. Lightweight high performance shell.
2. Compatible Shock absorbing polystyrene liner for improved safety.
3. Easily adjustable harness with quick release buckle.
4. Bottom edge protection.
This test involves a 3kg, toughened steel pointed spike being dropped directly onto the hat or helmet – a test which serves to prove that penetration by sharp pointed objects, such as fence posts, studded horse shoes etc. is reduced.
A weighted hat is dropped vertically onto a steel anvil – a test which serves to prove the shock absorption qualities required in a potential fall.
In two forms of test, straps are tested to ensure that hats will be stable and keep in place even under the most extreme riding activity.
Designed to absorb impact and help to protect the vulnerable back and rib cage, a body protector can help to reduce the risk of injury in the event of a fall or kick from a horse. Over the years body protectors have developed from hard foam protectors with limited flexibility to softer, more comfortable designs offering much greater freedom of movement, while still providing the high levels of protection required to achieve the rigorous safety standards imposed upon them. The safety standard for body protector testing and certification in Europe is EN 13158, with many companies also complying with the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) standard. This standard is a UK certification scheme operated by BETA, with testing based on EN 13158, but with the addition of annual re-tests by a BETA approved laboratory. 2009 saw the introduction of a revised EN13158:2009 as well as a revised BETA safety standard - BETA:2009. These revised standards have superseded EN 13158:2000 and BETA:2000 and include several important changes to offer additional security to the wearer while riding. Our Champion FlexAir and Champion ZipAir body protectors are both certified to these latest 2009 safety standards, giving you the confidence that the latest equestrian safety research and testing regimes offer.
Injuries cannot be entirely prevented by a Body Protector but should be reduced in severity. Body Protectors will offer some protection against impacts from falls onto the ground or objects such as posts, trees, vehicles and rails etc. and some protection against kicks or being trodden on. Body Protector do not provide spinal protection. Injuries will not be prevented in accidents involving severe torsion, flexion, extension or crushing of the body.