Does the sound of an air jacket inflating spook other horses and ponies? This debate has reopened as the Pony Club has made a new recommendation, discouraging the use of air jackets in group rides on the grounds that it does.

But the move has been branded “irresponsible” by a leading manufacturer.

As part of the 2014 body protector rule, the Pony Club has said it does “not encourage” the use of air jackets for groups.

“When an air jacket inflates, the sudden noise startles horses in the immediate vicinity, thereby causing difficulties for the other members of a ride if used for a group ride in a confined area.”

However, leading manufacturer Point Two argues that this reasoning is flawed and that the Pony Club is wrong to “steer people away from more advanced safety”.

“5 years ago if someone fell off, it was normal that the other horses spooked. But now it is blamed on the noise of the air jacket,” said Lee Middleton from Point Two.

“They [the Pony Club] are making a decision on behalf of a child, but there is no science behind what they are saying. It is very, very irresponsible.”

Pony Club volunteers are now seeing children as young as 8 riding in air vests and are concerned that the recommendation will be difficult to enforce.

A district commissioner told H&H: “Even if it is for the sake of other children in the ride, it is very difficult to tell a parent not to put safety equipment on their child. I would also be worried that I would be liable if the child then fell off and was hurt.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (13 March 2014)

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Tailoring firm Alexander James has designed a hunting coat that can conceal a Point Two Hunter air jacket.

“It came to our attention that riders couldn’t fit air jackets underneath their hunting or competition jackets,” said Alan Little, who founded Alexander James 35 years ago.

“We have been working closely with both Point Two and our clients as we understand how popular air jackets have become.”

The hunting coats are all bespoke, so can be made in different hunt colours — and can expand if an air jacket worn underneath inflates.

“We’ve inserted a side panel made from stretch fabric underneath the arm and in the sleeve,” said Alan. “From the front and back it looks like a traditional hunting coat, although it is made in a slightly lighter weight cloth.”

Duke of Beaufort’s subscriber George Kershaw has had a stretch fabric panel inserted under the arm of a blue and buff coat for this season, having purchased a Point Two Hunter last year.

“I suffered very serious internal injuries after a bad fall in 2011,” said George, who hunts regularly.

“I believe it would have been less significant had I been wearing an air jacket.”

George’s hunter was unfazed when his air jacket went off last season.

“The noise was less than the crack of a twig — and certainly less than the crack of a hunting whip.”

“Hunting is our fastest growing market,” added Lee Middleton, managing director of Point Two. The firm has a special model of the air vest designed for hunt followers, with a flusher fit to the body, and no logo.

“Hunting folk tend to be quite conservative and new ideas catch on slowly, but my guess is that in 5 years time these will be as common as straps on hats, especially now they can be worn underneath your hunting coat,” concluded George.

Prices start from £605. For more information visit www.alexander-james.co.uk

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (24 October, 2013)

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The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint by air jacket distributor Hit-air against its rival Point Two.

Point Two placed an advert in Horse & Hound, 24 March 2011 that implied that Hit-air jackets did not comply with British safety standards.

Although the advert did not name Hit-air, it appeared in the same issue as a news story about the launch of the company’s jacket.

The ASA felt readers would assume the comments were about Hit-air.

The ASA ruled that the claims were “derogatory to Hit-air and discredited its business“.

Rachel Ricci of Hit-air said: “ASA rules are rarely so blatantly disregarded.

“As a new venture we were horrified about the impact this would have on our business and the public’s perception of air vests in general.

“We felt it brought the whole air vest industry into disrepute.

“We are still asked by customers and potential stockists if our vests are CE certified.

“We are relieved that this complaint against Point Two has been upheld by the ASA.”

At the time of placing the advert, Point Two was convinced Hit-air jackets were not CE certified and was acting in the public interest, said the company’s Lee Middleton.

“Our concern was that if there was an accident and their jacket was not legal, the person who sold it would be prosecuted and everyone would drop air jackets,” he said.

“I did not want all our work to be for nothing.”

He now agrees that Hit-air jackets are fully tested and safe.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (5 April 2012)

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Inflatable safety jacket manufacturers Point Two and Hit Air are warning customers not to be tempted to use cheaper air canisters in their jackets – because they don’t have the same effect.

Both companies have received reports that you can buy canisters over the internet for a fraction of the price they charge for replacements.

“It seems crazy when people have paid out for an air jacket then to use these unsafe canisters for the sake of a few pounds,” said Freya Norrie of Point Two.

The issue came to light when customer Michelle Stubbs returned her air jacket to Point Two to be serviced and they found a foreign air canister.

Director Lee Middleton tracked down the Hungarian makers of the canister on the internet and found it cost just £2.50, compared with £17.50 from Point Two.

When he tested the canister, he found it had a much thicker casing and the piston that pierces the canister to inflate the jacket was unable to do so.

“I tried five and only one set off, and then it took a full second to inflate the jacket – ours takes 0.1 second,” he said.

“They are designed to be used in airguns, and although they look almost identical to ours, they have a different specification.”

Rachael Faulkner of Hit Air added: “I don’t believe they fit our jackets, but customers have asked why they need to pay £15 for one of our canisters when these are so cheap.

“The issue we and Point Two have is that we require a special licence to bring our canisters into the UK, as they are classed as hazardous goods, which is very expensive.

“We recommend that our customers only use our canisters in our jackets.”

Michelle Stubbs of Cuddington, Cheshire, told H&H she received the canister from a fellow eventer after she lent her spare one out.

She said she was aware of the safety issues but the difference in price was a big issue.

“Some of the girls on my yard would not consider wearing their jacket for breaking young horses, jumping lessons or cross-country schooling because, if they fell off, the session would cost an extra £17.50,” she said.

“Some of them said they would consider using foreign canisters [when eventing] as a way to save money.”

Lee Middleton urged riders to put safety first: “If you are still tempted to use these canisters, buy a few and test them first,” he said.

But he added using other canisters would invalidate the jacket’s warranty.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (23 February 2012)

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Point Two has launched the world’s first combination body protector and air jacket that is approved for use in UK competition.

Prices start at £600.

The new P2-RS hybrid is an RS2010 Racesafe body protector, approved to BETA 2009 Level 3, with a Point Two air vest incorporated.

The entire 907g garment carries the European Standard EN 13158:2009 Level 3.

It is available from XS to XL. A child’s version will be available later in the summer.

Visit: www.point-two.co.uk

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (28 July, 2011)

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Point Two has been reprimanded by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for producing “misleading” adverts.

The ASA received complaints from the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), Charles Owen and Design Headwear regarding adverts by the company, which produces airbag jackets for riders.

The photo accompanying the advert shows a child wearing only a Point Two jacket. Although you can wear a Point Two without a body protector underneath this is not permitted in British Eventing, Pony Club and Riding Club cross-country competitons.

One advert claimed “the child’s Point Two Air Jacket offers six times more protection than a BETA level 3 body protector”.

The other said: “Indications for TRL tests are that the air jacket reduces levels of chest deflection by more than 50% of those seen during an unprotected fall. The ultimate protection for you and now your children.”

Objectors said this implied that a level 3 body protector offered the same level of protection as using no protection at all. It was also misleading because air jackets only offered protection when inflated — which was not guaranteed in every incident — whereas body protectors offered protection at all times.

The ASA said it had not seen “suitably robust evidence to support the claim” that the jacket was six times more effective. It ruled that the adverts must not appear again in their current forms.

After reviewing, Point Two agreed that the claims made in the adverts were inaccurate and in breach of the code. It said it had now withdrawn the claim and would not use it in future and had strengthened its internal processes for checking its ads.

H&H is happy to confirm that the facts in our news story in the 24 March issue regarding Hit Air jackets having CE safety certification and thus being legally for sale are accurate.

The Point Two advert in the same issue contradicting these claims has also been referred to the Advertising Standards Authority.

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The Point Two Air Jacket that Piggy French wore at the European Championships in Fontainebleau last year is up for grabs in a raffle for Spinal Research.

The unique Great Britain team kit inflatable jacket, which has been signed by Piggy and fellow top eventers, William Fox-Pitt, Oli Townend, Mary King, Nicola Wilson, Lucy Wiegersma and Tina Cook, is being raffled as part of the Saddle Up for Spinal Research campaign, aimed specifically at riders.

“By buying a raffle ticket you can help us fund our groundbreaking research into spinal cord repair, so we can get people who are paralysed walking and riding again,” said Isabel Robinson, specialist fundraiser at Spinal Research.

It is hoped the raffle will raise £5,000 for the charity and organisers say they are already halfway towards their target.

Point Two Air Jackets are also donating a voucher for each raffle ticket bought, that entitles you to two free air canisters – worth £35 – when you buy a new Air Jacket.

The draw will take place on 29 October.

Tickets cost £2 each or £10 for a book and can be ordered from Isabel Robinson of Spinal Research, on 01483 898786.

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Katie Price has sworn to wear an air jacket each time she hacks out after a friend’s riding accident on Tuesday.

Ms Price and her friend Melodie Pope were riding near the model’s home in Woldingham, Surrey when her friend was thrown from her horse.

Ms Pope had to be airlifted to hospital.

Speaking to H&H, Ms Price said: “After a horrific riding accident my friend had this week when we were out together I will definitely be wearing a Point Two air jacket to hack out in the future.

“Melodie has fractured the lumbar part of her back and had she been wearing a Point Two then she may not have sustained such a bad injury.

“The horse she was riding was not a fit competition horse and it just shows you that riding any type of horse can result in a bad fall.”

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Horse industry and safety experts have reacted with caution to impact testing done on the Point Two equine air jacket.

The tests by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) in Berkshire are the first formal impact research Point Two has done since its launch in the UK last year.

By dropping a dummy on to its chest and its back, TRL has produced encouraging initial observations about the Point Two — a product that has been the subject of intense debate over the past year.

The report states there is no evidence that the Point Two would exacerbate any neck injury in an accident.

It also suggests the air jacket offered improved protection when worn with a British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) Level 3 body protector than when the latter was worn alone.

TRL test team manager Vincent StClair told H&H : “There is more to do, but the aim of the project was to show there is no worse effect using the air jacket — something that was a concern to British Eventing [BE], for example.”

Point Two director Lee Middleton said: “We know it’s a good product, riders and doctors have said it’s a good product — this preliminary research backs it up.”

BE chief executive Mike Etherington-Smith described the TRL report as “very positive on the surface” and said it had been passed to BE’s safety committee for recommendations.

“We need to understand exactly what is being said here before commenting further,” he said, adding: “We still believe that a body protector must also be worn with one of these jackets.”

BETA executive director Claire Williams said she was “delighted” the jacket had been tested, but added: “This report does raise more questions than answers.”

Safety testing expert Dr Roderick Woods said the TRL tests are not enough to warrant a call for reviewed safety standards.

“The only way to test airbags is to replicate a genuine accident, record the data and compare it to an autopsy report,” he said.

“In cars, you drive a dummy into a wall — but with a horse it’s virtually impossible because there are so many variables.”

FEI eventing committee chairman Guiseppe della Chiesa told H&H : “We haven’t had the report yet, but it will be useful to understand the benefits.”

He said air jackets are one of many different parts of the “risk management puzzle”, together with education, training, safety fences and so on.

“What is encouraging is the evolution in this area of body protection,” he added.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (1 April, ’10)

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Owners of the fastest inflating Point Two jackets are being asked to send them back to the manufacturer for a safety check.

Point Two has voluntarily recalled all ProAir jackets with new, faster 0.10 trigger systems following a manufacturing fault.

A statement on the company’s website says: “Unfortunately, one batch of triggers has not been made to the required standard or strength. In some instances the trigger has started to crack.”

The very latest ProAir jackets contain the new trigger system — which inflates the jacket within 0.1 second — and some riders had opted to upgrade their older jacket, too.

Point Two says it cannot pinpoint which batch of triggers is faulty, so has chosen to recall all ProAir jackets fitted with the 0.10 trigger system “to ensure there are no faulty items left on the market”.

Owners are asked to send their entire jacket back — minus the CO2 canister. Point Two says it will cover all postage and packaging costs.

Point Two airbag jackets inflate when a rider falls, protecting the all important areas of the body, the collar of the neck, ribs and coccyx.

Any queries can be directed to Point Two’s customer service hotline: 0844 335 1899.

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A company that produces rapid-inflating safety air jackets for horse and motorcycle riders will today be testing them out on the racetrack.

Point Two are taking their motorbike air jackets to Goodwood where a motorbike stunt rider will try out the jacket and test how effective it is — for a Radio One news team feature.

The stunt rider, who has appeared in Bond films, will fall from the bike during the test this afternoon.

Lee Middleton from Point Two said: “The jacket offers neck, back and coccyx protection and inflates in 0.25seconds. The legal requirement to inflate is 0.4seconds and so far we are the only company to produce a jacket legal to wear on the road.”

The company also makes air jackets for equestrian disciplines — under the name Point Two Equine.

Point Two, who started off with the motorbike jackets, produced their first jacket for horse riders after the lead designer’s daughter had a riding accident.

At the moment they produce 2 air jackets for horse riding — and the third is being released for sale next month.

The new Pro-Air is a lightweight 900g jacket designed for event riders.

It provides the same protection as the motorbike jackets but must be worn over a British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) approved body protector.

Lee added: “The riding jackets have to be worn as additional protection and can be used with any approved body protector — except the body cage. It is top-up protection.”

The Pro-Air can also be used for jockeys on the gallops but is not suitable for use on a racecourse.

“We’ve had support in the eventing world from Lucinda Green, Piggy French and Oliver Townend. And in racing it has been championed by John Francome and presenter Nick Luck,” said Lee.

“We are going to watch it in the eventing world first and hopefully next year we will look to make an even lighter model with carbon fibre canisters for racing.”

The jacket is attached to the saddle by a cord. And when you fall from the horse the cord is pulled and the jacket inflates.

“The cord is nice and long, you can lie all the way back on the horse or fall forward and it will not inflate. It will only inflate when it has 6 stones of pressure on it, so if you fall off.

And even if you’re about 20cm off the ground it will still have time to inflate. It is very, very fast,” said Lee.

For more information visit: www.point-two.co.uk

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