calling working hunter experts! (again:) )

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serena2005

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So I am almost kitted out for my first working hunter show!

Now decisions on bits....
I am going to get a double bridle, and am tempted to use a French link rugby Pelham as the horse has a large tongue and struggles with large bits. So I'm concerned putting 2 bits in his mouth might really frustrat him!
What are your thoughts? Will I get marked down for it, or should I go for the double bit and see how he goes in it?

I've just put a fuller snaffle with copper peanut on him and he's really taken to it.
 
Personally, I wouldn't go for the rugby Pelham, they don't look great. You'd be much better off in a normal Pelham or a double. If he goes well in a snaffle, just use that instead of putting him in something he's not comfortable, there's not point looking the part but not going clear or giving the judge a bad ride!
 
For working hunter you can use any bit within reason so go for what your horse goes best in.
Most showing people including judges hate rugby Pelhams. If you want a neat Pelham that looks like a double then look for a show Pelham.
 
For your first show stick with whatever he goes well in and you know he is happy jumping in, I would rather see a horse going well in a snaffle than fussing in a double/ pelham, you will not get marked down especially if it is a novice class.

I would borrow a double set and see how he goes, many horses are surprisingly good if they are confident in their way of going generally, plenty of workers are shown in snaffles and a variety of other bits it is not the same as a flat class where an open horse is expected to carry a double.
 
Don't take him anywhere in tack he does not go well in and has not been schooled in.

A double is not really necessary until you get to County level. Riding club, trailblazers etc will be fine in a nice chunky flat leather snaffle bridle, your fulmer would be fine.

When you do get to County shows a double will be the normal, ideally without the so common running martingale with both reins through the rings and fitted too short. Looks awful in my view.
 
be positive said:
For your first show stick with whatever he goes well in and you know he is happy jumping in, I would rather see a horse going well in a snaffle than fussing in a double/ pelham, you will not get marked down especially if it is a novice class.

I would borrow a double set and see how he goes, many horses are surprisingly good if they are confident in their way of going generally, plenty of workers are shown in snaffles and a variety of other bits it is not the same as a flat class where an open horse is expected to carry a double.
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Sorry what do you mean by a novice class?
I am showing at a low level local show.
I have been told by a working hunter judge a snaffle would be acceptable in a young hunter class.
I was under the assumption he had to be ridden in a double bridle in an working hunter class that was open to all...
 
What I meant was either a class for novices which many shows will offer or classes at lower level shows, often the judge will not even ride, only once you get to County level will a double be preferred but even then they will not all be in a double.
 
be positive said:
What I meant was either a class for novices which many shows will offer or classes at lower level shows, often the judge will not even ride, only once you get to County level will a double be preferred but even then they will not all be in a double.
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That's good to know, Thank you very much!

I will try schooling in a double and see how he goes. I'd prefer to go in what he likes, nice to know I can
 
Even at county shows and hoys qualifiers for working hunters any bit is acceptable and only a few will be in doubles. A martingale is acceptable if fitted correctly!

Show hunter classes is another matter entirely! Doubles or Pelhams are practically mandatory
 
conniegirl said:
Even at county shows and hoys qualifiers for working hunters any bit is acceptable and only a few will be in doubles. A martingale is acceptable if fitted correctly!

Show hunter classes is another matter entirely! Doubles or Pelhams are practically mandatory
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I guess it will also boil down to the judges preference too?
Only doing working hunter to start with, that's enough for me lol
 
Let me just check that when you say working with you are meaning the class with jumps.
If so the hoys working hunter championship at hoys in 2014 was in a beval snaffle, doubles are not that popular in the workers class.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Don't take him anywhere in tack he does not go well in and has not been schooled in.

A double is not really necessary until you get to County level. Riding club, trailblazers etc will be fine in a nice chunky flat leather snaffle bridle, your fulmer would be fine.

When you do get to County shows a double will be the normal, ideally without the so common running martingale with both reins through the rings and fitted too short. Looks awful in my view.
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Some judges think that a running martingale finishes off the WH turnout smartly.
 
Well I think a double is traditionally correct as it was for the hunting field. Sadly anything seems to go nowadays. Hate seeing gags etc. Also don't like this fad for wilkie snaffles as the bradoon on a double. But that's a whole different topic.

OP just use your current bit and keep everything simple. Good luck.
 
KautoStar1 said:
Well I think a double is traditionally correct as it was for the hunting field. Sadly anything seems to go nowadays. Hate seeing gags etc. Also don't like this fad for wilkie snaffles as the bradoon on a double. But that's a whole different topic.

OP just use your current bit and keep everything simple. Good luck.
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Thank you! Its so confusing. He goes fine in a fulmer snaffle I just wondered if there was a bridle/bit that was correct for the class.

He doesn't need a martingale so no issue with that
 
Take a look at this http://www.sbmphotographic.co.uk/ring-3-class-33-nov

This was the National Pony Society Area 7 show last weekend. This is a plaited class and you will see there is a good mixture of tack here but most seem to go for a snaffle and martingale combination over a double. Please note that you cannot change your tack in between the jumping and flat sections so whatever you choose for jumping you MUST keep on! Please also check out the rules for boots before you go in the ring as you may not be allowed to wear them! (horse boots not yours!). Just stick to whatever your horse goes best in for both jump and flat.
 
I think at local level anything goes. As long as your horse is happy and comfortable that is the best place to start :)

Regarding the double and martingale I have always put the martingale on the bradoon rein and then the weymouth is unaffected. Is that correct?!
 
LouisCat: The old-school thought is that, because both martingale and curb act to lower the head, running martingales should go on the curb rein, but one does very often see them on the bridoon rein instead. As long as it's only on one rein, about half the running-martingale-using community will agree with you, whichever rein you pick.

Personally, I was always taught that running martingales are not suitable for hunting (the pressure point created by the rings can cause the reins to snap), so I'd be very wary about using one in a WH class, but then there are some people who get very angry if you suggest using a standing martingale for jumping (it really shouldn't be an issue if it's fitted correctly); so it's all a bit swings and roundabouts. Luckily, H doesn't need a martingale, but we used to loan a cob who did, and I'm very glad we didn't show him given the amount of fuss that seems to be made over tack choices.
 
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