BETA Safety Week, the annual awareness-raising initiative promoting the importance of safety gear that is correctly fitted, fastened and up to standard, has been postponed until June 27.

The decision to reschedule this campaign, planned to run from March 28 to April 5, was taken as organisers followed government guidelines and advice surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.

BETA executive director Claire Williams said: “We don’t feel it would be appropriate to run the campaign at the moment. BETA Safety Week was perfectly timed to tie in with the start of the competition season, but many events and competitions have sadly been cancelled.

“It is really important that everyone stays as safe as possible. Fitting safety garments is a close-contact process and some retailers will continue to operate this service with high levels of hygiene practices in place, such as staff wearing gloves and masks for all garment fits.

“We did, however, feel that encouraging large numbers of riders into stores for checking and fitting sessions might not be the most suitable behaviour under current circumstances. BETA retailers will be open to offer their usual high levels of service as far as they possibly can over the next weeks and months, so it would be great if customers continue to support them.”

The campaign, which is supported by many of the sport’s top riders and organisations, including British Eventing, the British Horse Society, the Point-to-Point Authority, British Riding Clubs, the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund and Air Ambulance UK, will now run from June 27 to July 5.

BETA Safety Week encourages riders to visit participating BETA retailers for free checks and reliable advice on all aspects of safety gear and equipment such as hi-viz, footwear and riding hats and body protectors. The campaign is international, with retailers across mainland Europe, including Germany and the Netherlands, and the United States taking part.