Dressage riders in Canada will be rushing to buy approved headgear following the national rule change as of Jan. 1, 2012, requiring all riders at Equine Canada sanctioned dressage competitions to wear helmets.

“I am very proud of our dressage committee for taking this step,” said Equine Canada president Michael Gallagher. “I believe we are the first national federation to introduce this rule across all levels, and I can guarantee we will not be the last.”