British Horse Racing Authority Updates Body Protector Requirements

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that from 1st October 2018 the minimum safety standard acceptable for a body protector will be increased from “Level 1” to “Level 2” for jockeys of all disciplines.

This rule change, the first since 2015, is due to the fact that a Level 2 body protector can offer up to 50% more protection from direct blows than a Level 1 body protector. All body protectors must comply with EN 13158: 2009 or 2018.

Following the change, jockeys will be allowed an extra 1lb weight allowance for safety equipment.

#ChampionRider Ruby Walsh says, “there’s a huge improvement between Level 1 and 2 body protectors” and that “the Level 2 body protector provides way more protection”.