Jockeys' Guild Panel Outlines Progress in Safety Vests

When Terry Smith, whose Dynamic Research helped establish ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards in safety vests, looked over the room of riders gathered for the 2017 Jockeys' Guild Assembly Dec. 12 in Las Vegas, he saw a great resource.

"Standards are always evolving, and it's a great resource to have a room full of riders who can provide their experiences," Smith said. "We want these vests to provide maximum safety, but they also have to allow you to do your job."

Smith noted that standards continue to evolve and it's important for engineers to receive first-hand accounts from riders on how vests are performing. He encouraged riders to communicate with the Guild's Jeff Johnston, who regularly attends meetings on the topic.

"Users help develop the standards," Smith said. "There's no point in me writing a standard that no one will ever use."

Smith, as well as David Anderson of vest manufacturer Phoenix Performance, noted there have been great strides in vest materials in recent years. Smith said multi-laminates that feature hard material on the outside and softer material inside have shown improved response, and he said there also are materials that adjust to the type of impact.

Like many of the safety initiatives that the Guild has been pushing, Anderson said more information is needed. He said he realizes funding of such research has been lacking, but that it's necessary. 

"Speaking as a manufacturer, it's just as important for me as (it is for) a medical professional to receive information about where injuries are occurring," Anderson said. "It's unfortunate that we don't have the funding, but we have to do this somehow. I need to know where you guys are getting hurt."

Anderson said sensors are being developed that can measure impacts and they could soon add to the available information. Anderson, who also is a Thoroughbred owner and breeder, said his company starts with the safety requirements then, working within those parameters, designs for fit and function.

"From a safety perspective, let's call that form. We take that standard and build our vest around it," Anderson said.

Jockey feedback also is of use to vest manufacturers, Anderson said.

"If we don't get feedback, we can't make changes," he stated.

Jockey Joe Bravo recalled first wearing a bulky vest that had been designed for recreational riders: "I felt like a big turtle out there," Bravo said. But he noted tremendous improvements have been made since then. He encouraged riders to wear the ASTM-approved vests.

"Knowing these vests have all that testing behind them, gives you peace of mind," Bravo said. "If you're wearing a non-approved vest and have an accident, the insurance company may frown on that. Insurance companies can't say anything if you're wearing the best possible equipment you can. If something is going to happen, it happens, but at least you know you're wearing the best equipment out there."