2025 imga rule changes

IMGA has made a few changes to their rule book for 2025, here is every rule that has been affected, new races were also added, but they are in a separate post. If you want to view the rest of the updated rule book, it is linked under the documents tab of our website.
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Rule GR5.3.
Properly fastened, correctly fitting and undamaged protective headgear must be worn when riding anywhere on the showground.
All Protective Headwear must meet one of the following standards: - PAS 015 (2011) (with BSI Kitemark or Inspec IC mark) - VG1 01.040 (2014-12) (with BSI Kitemark or Inspec IC mark) - ASTM F1163 (2004a or 04a onwards) (with SEI mark) - SNELL E2016 or E2021 (with SNELL label and number) - AS/NZS 3838 (2006 onwards) (with SAI Global mark) or any new standard approved by FEI that meets or exceeds those stated. Only a Jockey Skull Cap of an even round or elliptical shape with a smooth or slightly abrasive surface, having no peak or peak type extensions may be worn 10 for any Mounted Games related activity. Noticeable protuberances above the eyes or to the front, not greater than 5mm, smooth and rounded in nature are permitted. A removable hat cover with a light flexible peak may be used.
As an exception to this rule riders are allowed to remove their headgear while accepting prizes or during the playing of the National Anthem only; they must refasten their headgear prior to the lap of honour. Head Cams or any recording devices are not permitted for use during Mounted Games events. 

Rule CR6.1
Any required action to put an item of equipment on/in or take it off/out of any bin, container, holder or pole must be attempted mounted. If, during the attempt, the item drops to the ground the rider may dismount and complete the action from the ground, unless the game specifically modifies the rules. 

Rule CR6.2 
Regarding an “attempt”:
If a rider loses control of a piece of equipment and it falls to the ground before an attempt can be made then the rider has not made an attempt. As such they would need to pick up the equipment either mounted or dismounted and then remount to put/place or drop in mounted before continuing the race.
If a rider and/or horse collide with equipment they are about to use and need to rebuild (e.g. upright a bin) before they can attempt the action, they have not made an attempt and they must correct the error either mounted or dismounted and then complete the action mounted.

Rule CR11.2
Errors must be corrected such that the race is reset to the point where the error was made. 

Rule CR11.3
Where a mistake is not corrected by the rider who made the mistake and a subsequent rider has entered the field of play then the current rider must return any item in their hand to its original position and then return back behind the line where they started the race. The rider who made the mistake must then enter the field of play and return all equipment back to the point where the error occurred. Then they must re commence the race. 

Rule CR22.1
Each Team/Pair/Individual is attributed the right to make an appeal against a refereeing or judging decision at the start of each session. An appeal can only be made about an incident in which the Team/Pair/Individual or their Trainer were physically involved. To facilitate this, the referee manages the appeal with the trainer of the Team/Pair/Individual involved. In the case where there is no trainer present, the appeal is managed with (one of) the rider(s). 

Rule CR22.2
In order to make an appeal the trainer (or rider in the absence of a trainer) should stand on the penalty line in their lane and raise their hand. This can only be done after the referee has signaled the end of the relevant race and the official result has been given by the commentator. It must also be done before the flag has dropped to signal the start of the race following the official announcement of the result. If the appeal relates to the final race of a session, the appeal must be lodged before the Team/Pair/individual (or any part thereof, including the trainer) has left the arena. 

Rule CR22.3
Once an appeal has been made the referee approaches the person making the appeal who explains the decision against which they are appealing and the reasons for doing so. The referee verifies that they are making a formal appeal. The referee may consider the appeal by reviewing official video footage or consulting with assistant referees. If the referee overturns the decision, the scores are amended and the right to appeal in that session is retained. If the decision is upheld, the referee informs the trainer/Team/Pair/Individual and that Team/Pair/Individual can make no further appeals for the duration of that session. The outcome of the appeal is recorded on the scoresheet for that Team/Pair/Individual in that session. 

Rule CR24.6
The referee will declare a race to be over by blowing the whistle. In order to save time, a referee may, exceptionally and at their own discretion, blow the whistle to end a race before all participants have finished. In this case, the teams, pairs or individuals remaining are each awarded an equal share of the remaining points. 

Ball and Cone Rules - Applies to Both Teams and Pairs Races
If whilst placing the ball on the cone, the ball drops to the ground then the ball must have made contact with the cone whilst the ball was in the hand of the rider for the rider to complete the action dismounted. This also applies to Ball Swap and Moat and Castle.