THE days of multiple hat tags are over for those riders competing in British Eventing, British Riding Clubs and Pony Club events.

The three organisations have announced that they have joined together to unify the hat standards across all three member bodies.

This has resulted in a single hat tag being accepted across British Eventing, the Pony Club and British Riding Club events in 2018.

The new “aqua” coloured hat tag will carry the logo of the body that checks the hat so that the source of the tagging can be tracked and will mean that riders no longer have to wear multiple tags on their hats.

The 2018 hat rules includes a small change to the AS/NZS 3838 standard for The Pony Club and British Eventing, both of which will now only be accepting from 2006 onwards.

All three bodies will use an aide memoire that will list the standards and quality assurance marks and will be used by officials.

British Eventing’s chief executive David Holmes said: “Safety in eventing, and all equestrian activity, is of the highest priority for us and an area that British Eventing has invested in extensively over many years.

“This universal hat tag system is a great step forward in improving rider safety across multiple member bodies, which is not only beneficial for risk management in the sport, but means a more clear and efficient process for both riders, officials and volunteers.”

Laura Sanger, head of British Riding Clubs, said: “We are delighted to be working with British Eventing and The Pony Club to promote the highest safety standards to all of our members.”

Mary Tuckett, the Pony Club chairman, added: “We are delighted to have come together with British Eventing and British Riding Clubs to introduce the universal hat tag system for 2018.

“Keeping our members safe is always of great importance to us and the new ‘aqua’ tag will aid officials and volunteers with a clear and streamlined process that will help promote hat safety among riders.”