Are Standard martingales common in America for jumping?

[punxmafia]

I always thought jumping in a standard martingale was a fairly universal no no and to use a running one. But I was being nosey and stumbled across some comp pictures for an American show. I think it was an equitation class or something which involved jumping. From the pictures of the competitors around 80% were wearing standard martingales, the rest didn't have any martingales at all.

So I was just wondering if they were a pretty common and standard thing in the States?

 

[Rudey]

I know of people in my area that use elasticated ones especially for jumping purposes, although, alot of people do not agree with restricting horses whilst jumping. I imagine if they are fitted properly, using an elasticated one, at low level jumping (height wise), I think it's okay as long as it doesn't prevent the horse from stretching, or restricting the horse in anyway, or jarring the horses head, neck and back! xx

 

[PapaFrita]

What's a standard martingale?

 

[Rudey]

I read it as standing....

damn proof reading lol.... shows how much attention to detail I pay lmaoooooo! xx

 

[PapaFrita]

Ohh! That's probably it!

 

[Enfys]

This is what wikipedia has to say on the matter:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunt_seat#Required_tack

From what I have seen locally, in jumping classes standing martingales are pretty much par for the course.

Whether a standing martingale is a no-no for jumping is debatable and a personal decision, when I was a child and followed jumping slavishly (OK 35 years ago, times and opinions change I know) many, many horses wore snaffles, drop nosebands and a cavesson as well if they had a standing on, and plenty did.

 

[legaldancer]

They were used widely in the hunting field too.

 

[posie_honey]

in a word - yes - standard kit out hunting. (well was back in 99/00 when i did a season over there)
here's a few pics of me hunting and competing out there...:

 

[CrazyDog]

Generally, standing martingales are used in hunter classes as running martingales are considered unconventional tack and could be penalized by the judge.

In show jumping classes, standing martingales are allowed up to a certain height (I believe this is 3'6" in Canada) and only in classes which offer prize money below a certain threshold. Above that, it's running martingales only. However, most people who compete in show jumping classes choose to use a running martingale.

Equitation classes often use hunter-style tack, hence the standing. These classes are usually 3'6" or lower.

Fitted properly, a standing martingale shouldn't restrict a horse's jump, at least not over smallish fences, and does offer some safety if you are riding a horse with a tendency to throw its head up!