Suzie Lambert
Member
I was wondering why it is compulsory for a dressage horse to wear a double bridle whilst competing FEI PSG and higher? I know the rules for eventing are different and it is not compulsory.
British Dressage Rules
- Thread starter Suzie Lambert
- Start date
meardsall_millie
Well-Known Member
I sense some underlying mischief to this (rather interesting first post) however....
The view of the FEI is that acceptance of the double bridle demonstrates the full acceptance of the bit by the horse and shows complete harmony with the rider. It demonstrates the higher skill level of the rider and allows greater precision in the application of the aids.
Of course just to clarify, at national level, a horse may be ridden up to GP in a snaffle. There is no requirement for a double bridle in eventing as the highest level tests are equivalent to Advanced Medium level.
The view of the FEI is that acceptance of the double bridle demonstrates the full acceptance of the bit by the horse and shows complete harmony with the rider. It demonstrates the higher skill level of the rider and allows greater precision in the application of the aids.
Of course just to clarify, at national level, a horse may be ridden up to GP in a snaffle. There is no requirement for a double bridle in eventing as the highest level tests are equivalent to Advanced Medium level.
Suzie Lambert
Member
Well, I'm looking into a related topic for my dissertation and came across that it is essential to use it along with wearing spurs being compulsory too! Its the same with show jumpers using strong bits along with using spurs and whips. It seems like they are contradicting eachother?
meardsall_millie
Well-Known Member
Only in the wrong hands. You're assuming the rider will be yanking and kicking at the same time which, in the case of decent riders, is completely not the case!
only_me
Well-Known Member
Spurs are used to aid precision of the leg aids - not to kick. Strong bits in high level jumping seem to be used to also have precision control, no use hauling on a snaffle where you can get an instant response with a stronger bit and quick reactions are needed at top level jumping - mistakes can be very very costly and the risk/danger increases with the jump height! Plus, the top riders generally have excellent hands so contact is always appropriate to what the horse needs
Whips are rarely used in competition (if you actually watch!) but they generally carry them for a "just in case" moment - often carried just out of habit. I actually can't remember when I last saw a showjumper actually use their whip in the ring!
At lower levels it may or may not be contradictory; the horse itself may be dead to the leg and spurs help but the horse could also be unpredictable or excitable once in the ring so the rider needs extra means of control to ride the horse. Just because someone has spurs on doesn't mean they use them
Wishful
Well-Known Member
I thought that spurs were so that the location of the aid was more precise rather than to make the aid stronger. So to make changes/ half pass more precise. Some ridersbuse less curb rein than others with the double bridle as well.
kc100
Well-Known Member
As meardsall_millie said, really spurs and the double bridle are about achieving more precision with the aids. As has already been mentioned, at National Level (i.e. BD) this is not compulsory and up to GP you can ride in an ordinary snaffle bridle. So keep in mind that if a rider has got to FEI levels and is competing internationally, chances are (well I bloomin' hope so actually!) these riders are far more skilled than your average Joe, they have the best trainers in the world and the spurs and double bridle are used correctly, whereas perhaps in the hands of someone less experienced it may not be the same case.
There is a reason why BD dont allow double bridles at lower levels - so you can look at it both ways, yes the FEI make it compulsory from PSG but BD also prohibit the double bridle in Prelim and Novice classes. Elementary is when lateral work comes into dressage tests plus more difficult movements like rein back, walk to canter transitions and simple changes - all of which require more precise aids, and the double bridle can help with that in the right hands.
It sounds like you dont like these rules or at least dont agree with them - but for your dissertation you need to remember to try and be unbiased and give both sides. Yes spurs may be compulsory for FEI dressage competitions, but equally whips are forbidden - some people may use a whip or spurs for similar purposes (i.e. more impulsion), therefore the FEI are being 'balanced' in their rules by not allowing whips when all will be wearing spurs.
Again I'm not sure if you have actually read the FEI rules properly - here is the link to the dressage rules:
http://d2ig246cioy4di.cloudfront.ne...Rules_2014_black_GA-approved_update_20Dec.pdf
Re. spurs; this states that dummy spurs are allowed - that means they have no shank and are just for 'dress'/appearance only, and dont enhance your aids at all. So for horses that dont respond well to spurs or where the rider feels they dont need them, they can wear dummy spurs for dress purposes but they wont have any impact on their riding or their horse.
Now I'm no expert on showjumping, and cant seem to find a current rule book online (have glanced at the 2011 BSJA book) - there is nothing in there that says a strong bit, whips or spurs are 'compulsory' - a short whip is allowed but must not be used more than 3 times, spurs must be of a certain type and have restrictions on type/length, and the rider can choose the bit to suit their horse really within reason. So yes riders have additional kit to help back up their aids, but it is personal choice for the rider based on their own horse - with SJ the bit is often stronger than DR because the turns are sharper at higher speeds, they need a bit more control due to the speed they are going and the height of the jumps they are going over.
I'm not exactly sure what question you are asking when you say they are contradicting each other - FEI dressage cannot really be compared to British Showjumping? They are called different disciplines because they are entirely that - DIFFERENT. You wouldnt say the rules for humans hurdling or doing the high jump contradict rules for gymnastics or dancing would you? That is because they are different sports where the judges are looking for different things, therefore there is no use in comparing the 2. And to compare FEI rules to national rules (i.e. BD and BS) doesnt work either, FEI is the highest level of competition on an international level where riders are representing their countries, of course rules for riders of this standard should be a little different to the rules for your average amateur doing a prelim on a weekend.
When you write your dissertation just make sure you have read all the rule books thoroughly and have both sides of the argument, rather than bringing personal opinion/views into it.
There is a reason why BD dont allow double bridles at lower levels - so you can look at it both ways, yes the FEI make it compulsory from PSG but BD also prohibit the double bridle in Prelim and Novice classes. Elementary is when lateral work comes into dressage tests plus more difficult movements like rein back, walk to canter transitions and simple changes - all of which require more precise aids, and the double bridle can help with that in the right hands.
It sounds like you dont like these rules or at least dont agree with them - but for your dissertation you need to remember to try and be unbiased and give both sides. Yes spurs may be compulsory for FEI dressage competitions, but equally whips are forbidden - some people may use a whip or spurs for similar purposes (i.e. more impulsion), therefore the FEI are being 'balanced' in their rules by not allowing whips when all will be wearing spurs.
Again I'm not sure if you have actually read the FEI rules properly - here is the link to the dressage rules:
http://d2ig246cioy4di.cloudfront.ne...Rules_2014_black_GA-approved_update_20Dec.pdf
Re. spurs; this states that dummy spurs are allowed - that means they have no shank and are just for 'dress'/appearance only, and dont enhance your aids at all. So for horses that dont respond well to spurs or where the rider feels they dont need them, they can wear dummy spurs for dress purposes but they wont have any impact on their riding or their horse.
Now I'm no expert on showjumping, and cant seem to find a current rule book online (have glanced at the 2011 BSJA book) - there is nothing in there that says a strong bit, whips or spurs are 'compulsory' - a short whip is allowed but must not be used more than 3 times, spurs must be of a certain type and have restrictions on type/length, and the rider can choose the bit to suit their horse really within reason. So yes riders have additional kit to help back up their aids, but it is personal choice for the rider based on their own horse - with SJ the bit is often stronger than DR because the turns are sharper at higher speeds, they need a bit more control due to the speed they are going and the height of the jumps they are going over.
I'm not exactly sure what question you are asking when you say they are contradicting each other - FEI dressage cannot really be compared to British Showjumping? They are called different disciplines because they are entirely that - DIFFERENT. You wouldnt say the rules for humans hurdling or doing the high jump contradict rules for gymnastics or dancing would you? That is because they are different sports where the judges are looking for different things, therefore there is no use in comparing the 2. And to compare FEI rules to national rules (i.e. BD and BS) doesnt work either, FEI is the highest level of competition on an international level where riders are representing their countries, of course rules for riders of this standard should be a little different to the rules for your average amateur doing a prelim on a weekend.
When you write your dissertation just make sure you have read all the rule books thoroughly and have both sides of the argument, rather than bringing personal opinion/views into it.
Puffin
Well-Known Member
This.
I have a problem when people sometimes claim their horse is 'snaffle mouthed' when its strong and numb, and gets pulled about because of the lack of response. I'd much rather it was in a stronger bit which it respected and could be controlled harmoniously with a light touch.