Rule 20 · HPA Blue Book 2026
Lost helmet or broken equipment
When a player loses their helmet or their tack breaks, the umpire stops the game: at the next neutral moment, or at once if the tack is an immediate danger.
If a player loses their helmet, the umpire shall stop play when neutral to enable the player to recover it.
If an umpire considers that damaged or broken tack might pose a risk to any player or pony, they shall stop the game when the play is neutral. However, the game shall be stopped immediately in the interest of safety for tack which presents an immediate danger to any player or pony such as: • Broken bit. • A broken rein if single or both if double. • Broken girth. • Trailing bandages. The umpires may allow the player to rectify the fault immediately on the ground if it can be done quickly. Otherwise, the player must leave the field of play and play will be restarted as soon as the player has done so.