Bling and Matchy matchy

[TheoryX1]

Well, here is the post I thought I would never, ever post, but I thought that the wise old and not so old sages on HHO would have the answer to this one.

Mini TX has qualified her self and and horsey for the PC National Champs next month for Open Dressage. Well, precisely our Open dressage team have, which is fantastic. Now having been there before, its very, err competitive in the old dressage stakes, with a hell of a lot of BYRDS riders and some very, very nice dressage horses and some superstar dressage ponies. Now, I know we also have a bit of a superstar with Bonnie, if I say so myself, and I have to admit I am bowing a bit to daughter pester power, and a desire to fit in, and have to buy some matchy matchy and bling for dressage only ......... My question is this then. For all of you PC people out there, how strict are they on the likes of plain black patent leather bridles at national level in dressage? She is in need of a new competition bridle and does like patent leather. I know the PC is quite strict with turnout rules and I wondered if they would allow a bridle in black with patent noseband and browband?

Oh, and have also managed to find a really lovely HKM matchy matchy in black, for just poncing around the showground the day before, plus some really understated, subtle bling (just tiny pearls) on the same website on a gorgeous browband - which will be just used for BD outings.

So, does anyone know if this is allowed at PC comps, as dont want her to get to the tack check and she is told no patent leather? Dressage organiser is not so sure about any ruling on this, so any help would be advised before I splurge big time.

 

[Lolo]

There aren't any rules as such on patent leather, in the same way there's nothing about bling either. Bridles just need to be brown or black and preferably made of leather. I've just scoured the rulebook and there's no mention of bling not being allowed- I think it's just not considered very 'pony club'!

So bling and twinkle away Good luck!

 

[TableDancer]

I find the PC incredibly intransigent!! So my advice would be, given how un-PC what you are thinking of (how COULD you??! ) to email the chief dressage steward for the Champs, whose name is on the PC website, and ask for clarification. That way at least you will know, and if you have it in writing you can flash it at the tack check steward at the Champs if necessary

Well done by the way

 

[EventingMum]

From the PC website Dress and Saddlery Rules:

SADDLERY AND EQUIPMENT
The Pony Club expects competitors to wear plain saddlery. Any extra detail will be marked down in a tack and
turnout competition. New equipment is not expected, but what is worn must be clean, neat and tidy.
a) Saddles - Brown or black saddles of plain English type with white, cream or dark coloured girths. Competitors
wishing to use a side-saddle must notify the organiser of the competition at the time of entry.
b) Bridles - Black or brown bridles must be used. For safety reasons, leather bridles are recommended.
c) Numnahs, saddle cloths, pads - Only white, cream, navy, brown or black are permitted. White saddle clothes
only, may carry a Branch logo no bigger than 200 sq. cms. Logos may only be black and/or blue in colour.

I would tend to err on the side of caution as there is enough stress on these occassions without having to deal with an irate official in the warm up!

 

[TableDancer]

I was just browsing the threads and it tickled my fancy that a thread entitled "Bling and Matchy matchy" should be dominated by three eventing MOBs like TheoryX1, eventingmum and me

Sorry lolo, you just don't fit the profile, you'll have to put up with us cackling round the gin bottle or find another thread

 

[Lolo]

I feel totally unloved now... Though I suppose as a teetotal 20yo I have no hope of ever reaching that status

 

[Nicnac]

I would check with PC HQ - they are strict
(a good thing IMO as am anti-bling/matchymatchy - don't shoot me).

Although quite liked the pink bridle for eventing until it was banned!

 

[siennamum]

I have memories of standing by the side of a dressage arena, with a dismantled bridle in my hands turning an old, dull brass clencher browband inside out, with child on horse standing next to me bridleless. I would never have described clencher browbands as bling, as a consequence we use our old plain bridle for PC. It's ridiculous.