UNDER the latest FEI show jumping rules, blinkers and fly masks that cover the horse’s eyes are forbidden in the competition arena. Leather, sheepskin or similar material may be used on each cheek piece of the bridle providing the material does not exceed three centimetres in diameter measured from the horse’s cheek.

Cian O’Connor’s mount Callisto has been photographed wearing blinkers in the warm-up arena and during prize-giving ceremonies, when asked about the use of blinkers on Callisto, O’Connor told Horse Sport Ireland that: “The previous rider had difficulty warming him up if a horse came towards him, so I spent a lot of time working with him, and trying to get him relaxed. We started using blinkers in his training and that has really helped him a lot. He does not wear them in the competition, but just during the warm-up, so he stays relaxed and focused.

“Horses are herd animals, so I do not know why he is like that. Maybe he just got a fright at some stage. Gradually I am going to take the blinkers back and I would say eventually he will be able to go without them. He has not been as afraid, so it is interesting how they have worked.

“As he has started to settle, I can train him and jump him bigger, and I think he is going to be a really exciting horse for the future.”

FORBIDDEN IN EVENTING

The latest FEI eventing rules state that: “Any form of blinkers are forbidden under penalty of elimination.”

For the dressage phase, martingales, bit guards, any kind of gadgets (such as bearing, side, running or balancing reins, etc.), any form of blinkers, earplugs, nose covers and saddle covers, are under penalty of elimination, strictly forbidden.

During the show jumping and cross country phases any form of blinkers, side, running or balancing reins; tongue straps and/or tying down the horse’s tongue; any other restrictions, any bit or other item of saddlery likely to wound a horse are forbidden.

Sheepskin (or other material) may not be used as addition on cheek pieces of the bridle.