Claire Williams | EQUITANA Auckland 2019

Claire has worked in the equestrian industry for nearly 20 years firstly as Chief Executive and then Executive Director of the British Equestrian Trade Association.

BETA is responsible for the development of certain safety standards for equestrian PPE, the training of retailers, equestrian coaches and riders in the fitting of equestrian Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and advising equestrian bodies on the setting of rules with regards the use of equestrian PPE in equestrian sport.

In addition Claire has been responsible for the BETA Body Protector standard since 2000, lectured riding bodies and trade on safety standards and fitting of garments. Been an expert member on the following committees and working groups: Expert member of PH/003/09 Motorcyclists Personal Protective Equipment. Expert member of PH/003/11 Protective Equipment For Sports Players. Expert member of PH/006/05 Helmets for equestrian activities. Chair of WG 11/PG6: Protective clothing – Protective jackets, body and shoulder protectors for equestrian use, for horse riders and those working with horses, and for horse drivers. Expert member on EU committee CEN/TC 162/WG 11 – Equestrian Body protection. Expert member on EU committee CEN/TC158/ WG 5 – helmets for horse riders. On the prohibited substances side working with representatives of the industry I set up the NOPS scheme to reduce the risk of contamination in feed, working with the British Horseracing Authority, FEI and British Equestrian Federation.

Education Sessions

Prohibited substances and your horse - How to reduce the risk of your horse testing positive

2.30pm - 3.15pm Saturday, 23rd November | Classroom 2

Many riders have a very low knowledge base of what they feed their horse and how some commonly fed items may accidentally cause their horse to test positive in a dope test. Here I outline some basic facts about prohibited substances, what the difference is between banned substances and controlled substances at an FEI level and how by following some simple guidelines you will reduce the risk of this occurring.

Are your hat and body protector fit for purpose?

11.45am - 12.30pm Sunday, 24th November | Classroom 1

This is a practical introduction and guide through the two most common items of safety equipment, how they are made, what they do and how to recognise when they are no longer fit for purpose. I will cover: The purpose of protective equipment, what they can and cannot do in terms of protection, what standards both are manufactured to, how they differ and what difference this will make to how they work and what they protect. I would then go on to detail how they should fit, how to check if they fit correctly for the reason that the best protective equipment will only work if it fits correctly. I then cover when equipment should be replaced, how you know when this is necessary and how to check that safety equipment is fit for purpose.