Horse Illustrated Magazine

Exhibitors competing in United States Equestrian Federation licensed events may need to double check their helmets. According to USEF, the GPA brand of helmets purchased in Europe, from online stores in Europe or possibly from eBay (if the helmets originally came from Europe), may not meet the ASTM/SEI standard that USEF requires.

ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) is a volunteer organization comprised of doctors, engineers and physicists who set standards for safety equipment. SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) is an independent laboratory that tests helmets to make sure they meet ASTM standards. 

USEF requires that helmets be ASTM/SEI certified for all riders competing in any class where jumping is required and when jumping anywhere on the competition grounds.

Further, USEF regulations state, “It is the responsibility of the rider, or the parent or guardian or trainer of the junior exhibitor, to see to it that the headgear worn complies with appropriate safety standards for protective headgear intended for equestrian use and is properly fitted and in good condition, and the Federation, the Show Committee and Licensed Officials are not responsible for checking headgear worn for such compliance.”

To see if your GPA brand helmet is ASTM/SEI certified, check the buckle for an SEI logo, as well as the inside of the helmet, which should have the SEI certification tag.