As of 1st January 2020, British Showjumping will be introducing a new rule regarding the use of whips in the sport to reinforce the high priority of equine welfare. Read on to check your whip complies with the new regulations.
BS Whip Rule Change 2020As of 1st January 2020, British Showjumping will be introducing a new rule regarding the use of whips, with the primary objective being to ensure equine welfare stays paramount in the sport. Only one type of whip will now be allowed during BS competitions, with the new rule applying to all members.
The rule wording states:
“No rider may carry, use or permit to be used a whip other than as detailed below, in the arena, the collecting ring or anywhere, on, or in the immediate vicinity of the showground. Only one whip may be carried and no substitute for a whip may be carried. A whip, if carried, must be held in the hand by the handle with the handle at the top.”
Check your whip complies with the rules with our checklist below:
The maximum whip length is 70cm; it must be no less than 45cm. There must be no binding within 17cm of the end of the pad. The minimum diameter for the shaft of the whip is 1cm, and the shaft should run through the entirety of the whip. The whips overall weight must not exceed 160g; the weight should be evenly distributed throughout the whip. The “contact area” is considered to be two fifths of the overall length of the whip and should be covered with a pad. The pad must be smooth, with no protrusion or raised surface, and be made of shock absorbing material throughout its circumference such that it gives a compression factor of at least 6mm. The pad should have no wording, advertising or personalisation of any kind.