Can anyone tell me why this bit is not FEI legal for eventing dressage?

[Mickyjoe]

I just saw recently that half moon link snaffles are illegal in eventing dressage under FEI rules... Does anyone know why? Surely it's just a more kindly version of a double jointed snaffle for a horse with a big tongue?

You can see it on page 4 of this link.. http://www.fei.org/sites/default/files/2013 Use of bits, tacks and others - Additional Info_0.pdf

 

[The wife]

It looks like a Waterford to me... That should explain why it's illegal

 

[FfionWinnie]

Its kind of like a port isn't it.

 

[zoon]

It counts as a port so is not dressage legal

 

[The wife]

It counts as a port so is not dressage legal

Am I looking at the wrong bit? Now I feel blooming stupid!

 

[FfionWinnie]

Am I looking at the wrong bit? Now I feel blooming stupid!

Yes you are looking at the Waterford and the op is talking about the first bit on the line of pics on the same page as the Waterford. My interpretation of what she said. But she isn't talking about the Waterford, clearly!

 

[The wife]

Yes you are looking at the Waterford and the op is talking about the first bit on the line of pics on the same page as the Waterford. My interpretation of what she said. But she isn't talking about the Waterford, clearly!

Perhaps a minor eyesight error, they do happen occasionally.

 

[Rowreach]

It's marketed as a "training snaffle" because it has a port and therefore isn't allowed in competition. Daft really the port rule, when today's ported bits are designed for comfort and the rule dates to when some bits had huge ports and could have hit the palate.

 

[Darremi]

Because the FEI says so...and the FEI is the LAW

 

[LEC]

I used to use a half moon very successfully for BE dressage. I had no idea it was not allowed.

 

[oldvic]

I used to use a half moon very successfully for BE dressage. I had no idea it was not allowed.

Very few BE events do a proper bit check so you can get away with quite a lot!! I have known someone try to get away with a copper roller snaffle and were upset when they were eliminated when the judge noticed!!
The half moon link isn't allowed in any dressage, not just FEI. When you start allowing a port it then becomes controversial as to how big and the bridle has to be taken off to measure it.

 

[TarrSteps]

It's marketed as a "training snaffle" because it has a port and therefore isn't allowed in competition. Daft really the port rule, when today's ported bits are designed for comfort and the rule dates to when some bits had huge ports and could have hit the palate.

As per discussion on another thread, the really daft thing is they don't differentiate between "ports", as in the acute middle rises you find in western bits etc and "shaped" mouthpieces like some of the Mylers, which are now allowed in the US dressage. They have completely different purposes.

 

[Mickyjoe]

Humm, seems a pity really that it's such a blanket ban. Surely that sort of "port" is a hell of a lot kinder than some of the allowed snaffles for a horse with a big tongue.

 

[Lolo]

Very few BE events do a proper bit check so you can get away with quite a lot!! I have known someone try to get away with a copper roller snaffle and were upset when they were eliminated when the judge noticed!!
The half moon link isn't allowed in any dressage, not just FEI. When you start allowing a port it then becomes controversial as to how big and the bridle has to be taken off to measure it.

I accidentally did that to someone in the dressage warm up when I was stewarding... I only knew because I rode my horse in one and so knew it was definitely not allowed no matter how much I wanted it to be The rider was very cross and pointed out they'd always previously been allowed to ride in one!