Since 2011, Virginia Tech researchers have been providing unbiased helmet ratings that allow consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing helmets. The helmet ratings are the culmination of over 15 years of research on head impacts in sports and identify which helmets best reduce concussion risk. This work is 100% independent of any funding or influence from helmet manufacturers.
With sponsorship from eventing supporter Jacqueline Mars, USHJA, USEF, and USEA, a total of 40 equestrian helmets were rated using the STAR evaluation system, rating each equestrian helmet based on the results of 12 impact tests in the laboratory using a headform. Impact tests evaluate a helmet’s ability to reduce linear and rotational acceleration of the head correlated to concussion risk from a range of head impacts a rider might experience. Helmets with more stars provide a reduction in concussion risk for these impacts compared to helmets with fewer stars. All helmets in the study have passed American standards (ASTM F1163, SNELL E2016) and/or European standards (VG1 01.040, PAS 015).
Researchers test the helmet’s front, side, and back at two impact energies based on industry standards for equestrian helmet performance, advanced video analysis of equestrian events, and peer-reviewed equestrian research. The lower and higher severity test conditions represent the range of impacts that could result in concussions.