Understanding the key British Eventing rules – a beginner’s guide to tack and equipment

Jan 12
For anyone starting out in eventing, the rules and regulations can feel overwhelming, particularly when it comes to tack and equipment. Understanding what is allowed – and why – helps you prepare with confidence, avoid unnecessary penalties, and focus on riding your best while keeping your horse’s welfare at the centre of everything you do.

British Eventing rules are designed to create a fair, safe and consistent framework for competition. They cover everything from membership and entries to horse welfare, safety standards and the tack and equipment that can be used in each phase. 

Why the rules matter
Rules aren’t there to catch people out. They exist to:
• Protect horse and rider safety
• Promote fairness across competitions
• Support good training and welfare practices
• Ensure consistency across venues and levels

As a rider, it is your responsibility to make sure your tack and equipment comply with the rules for your level and for each phase of competition.

Tack and equipment: the key principles
While there are differences between dressage, showjumping and cross-country, some core principles apply across all phases:
• Tack must be safe, correctly fitted and used as intended
• Equipment must not cause discomfort, pain or restriction
• Only permitted items may be used, and they must not be modified
• Simplicity is encouraged – unnecessary gadgets are discouraged

If in doubt, always check before competing rather than assuming something will be allowed.

Bridles and nosebands
Bridles must be of a conventional design and correctly fitted.
Padding is allowed where it is discreet and designed to improve comfort, but excessive or non-standard padding is not permitted.
This change reflects a growing emphasis on simplicity, clarity and horse welfare.

Bits and reins
British Eventing allows a wide range of bits, recognising that different horses require different solutions. The key requirements are that:
• Bits must be used as intended and fitted correctly
• They must not be modified
• Any additional equipment, such as curb chains, must only be used where permitted

In showjumping and cross-country, curb chains are only allowed with specific types of bits and must be correctly fitted. Riders should ensure their choice of bit is appropriate for the phase, level and training of the horse.

Saddles, pads and stirrups
Saddles must be of a traditional English or continental style with a pommel, cantle and flaps. They should be secure, well-fitted and suitable for the phase being ridden.
Saddle cloths and pads should be neat and functional. Supportive pads or inserts are permitted provided they are unobtrusive and do not alter the saddle in a way that compromises fit or safety.

Stirrups and leathers must be conventionally attached to the saddle, and any safety features should be correctly fitted and functioning as designed.

Boots and leg protection
Leg protection is commonly used in showjumping and cross-country to protect the horse from knocks and strikes. Boots must:
• Be smooth on the inside
• Not contain hard or protruding elements
• Be fitted correctly and securely

Rider safety equipment
Safety equipment plays a vital role in eventing:
• An approved and tagged hat is compulsory in all phases with no fixed peak for XC
• Body protectors that meet the current standards are mandatory for cross-country
• Air jackets can be worn over body protectors for XC or on their own in dressage and SJ phases
• Additional safety equipment must meet current standards

Even where safety equipment is not compulsory, its use is strongly encouraged, particularly for less experienced riders.

Tack checks and responsibility
Officials may carry out tack checks before or during competition. These are routine and designed to support fairness and safety.
Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the rider. If something is not permitted, lack of awareness is not usually accepted as a reason.
If you are unsure:
• Ask your coach
• Speak to the organiser or an official before your phase
• Check the current rulebook before entering
Key takeaways for riders starting eventing
• Learn the basics of the rules early – it will save stress later
• Keep tack simple, well-fitted and appropriate
• Be aware of recent changes
• When in doubt, check before you compete
• Train and practice in the tack and equipment that you will use at a competition

Final thoughts
Understanding the rules around tack and equipment is an essential part of becoming a confident and responsible event rider. By taking the time to get it right, you protect your horse’s welfare, keep yourself safe, and give yourself the best chance to enjoy the sport and perform well.
The BE Prepared programme is designed to help you build this knowledge step by step, so you can focus on learning, progressing and enjoying your eventing journey.

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Phase-by-phase tack checklist for British Eventing
Knowing what tack and equipment is allowed in each phase is an essential part of event preparation. This simple checklist breaks things down phase by phase, helping you check that your horse is correctly and legally equipped before you compete.

Always remember: tack must be safe, correctly fitted, used as intended, and compliant with current British Eventing rules.

Dressage phase tack checklist
Dressage places an emphasis on correctness, simplicity and harmony. The rules are more restrictive in this phase.

Bridle and bit
• ✔ Conventional bridle
• ✔ Bit permitted for dressage at your level
• ✘ No bit modifications

Reins
• ✔ Plain reins
• ✔ Correctly attached and in good condition

Saddle and pads
• ✔ English or continental-style saddle
• ✔ Saddle fits correctly and is secure
• ✔ Neat saddle cloth or pad

Boots and leg protection
• ✘ Boots and bandages not permitted

Rider equipment
• ✔ Approved and tagged hat
• ✘No Whips permitted
• ✔ Spurs permitted if worn correctly and suitable

Showjumping phase tack checklist
Showjumping allows a little more flexibility, while still prioritising safety and welfare.

Bridle and bit
• ✔ Conventional bridle
• ✔ Wide range of permitted bits
• ✔ Curb chain allowed only with specific bits and correctly fitted

Reins
• ✔ Plain reins
• Saddle and pads
• ✔ Jumping or GP saddle
• ✔ Secure and correctly fitted
• ✔ Discreet pads or support inserts permitted

Boots and leg protection
• ✔ Front and hind boots permitted (see rules for full details)
• ✔ Boots must be smooth, well-fitted and secure
• ✘ No hard or protruding elements

Additional equipment
• ✔ Breastplate or martingale permitted if correctly fitted
• ✔ Balancing/hand-hold strap must be attached with buckles, not clips

Rider equipment
• ✔ Approved and tagged hat
• ✔ Body protector recommended
• ✔ Whip and spurs permitted if compliant
Cross-country phase tack checklist
Cross-country has the strongest focus on safety for both horse and rider.

Bridle and bit
• ✔ Conventional bridle
• ✔ Wide range of permitted bits
• ✔ Curb chain only where permitted and correctly fitted

Reins
• ✔ Plain reins in good condition
Saddle and pads
• ✔ Jumping or GP saddle
• ✔ Secure and correctly fitted

Boots and leg protection
• ✔ Front and hind boots permitted
• ✔ Boots must be smooth, flexible and correctly fitted

Additional equipment
• ✔ Martingale and/or Breastplate permitted
• ✔ Neck strap or hand-hold strap permitted

Rider safety equipment
• ✔ Approved and tagged hat with no fixed peak
• ✔ A current standard body protector is mandatory
• ✔ Air jacket permitted if worn correctly with a body protector

General tack checks for all phases
Before you leave the lorry:
• ✔ Tack clean, correctly fitted and in good repair
• ✔ Nothing modified or used incorrectly
• ✔ No unnecessary or decorative attachments
• If an item isn’t specifically allowed, assume it may not be permitted and check before competing.

Final tip
If you’re unsure, ask before your phase starts — your coach, event organiser or an official will always prefer to help you check than deal with an issue afterwards.
Understanding and preparing your tack correctly is part of becoming a confident, responsible event rider — and it allows you to focus on enjoying the competition and doing the best job for your horse.

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