Hat tags made compulsory for team chasers next season

Team chasers will need to have their hats tagged – like eventers – before competing next season.

Last year, the rules were updated to state that riders must wear BETA level 3 body protectors and crash helmets that meet the most recent safety standards.

Then at the recent AGM (2 May), further amendments were made.

“There have been no rule changes, but we have upgraded them to state that riders must have tags on hats [to indicate they comply with current safety standards], as in British Eventing [BE],” said team chasing committee chairman James Buckle.

“A BE tag is sufficient, but if they don’t have one, they will have to go to the secretary at the event and get a tag.”

Mr Buckle added that a safety report to discuss possible changes to fence and course design in the sport was ongoing with results due back in the summer.

The safety review was prompted by the death of a competitor, Jo Rugman, at the VWH team chase last year.

Mrs Rugman, 37, joint-secretary of the Warwickshire Hunt, died in a rotational fall.

The coroner at her inquest ruled there had not been a safety failure, but added that the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) might like to review safety procedures.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (24 May 2012)

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