Can I use a Dutch gag for showing?

Technically no.

But, depends on the type / level of the show. for example, I took my son to a very nice local show the other week. The emphasis was on the children having fun and just getting out and doing some showing.

On that occassion the show organisers wouldn't have minded a bit of 'incorrect' tack as long as it fitted correctly etc.

Most local shows however will be more strict in correct turnout and a dutch gag is not an approved bit for showing.

You will either have to use a pelham / double bridle or snaffle.

:)
 
A wilkie will do a similar job to the dutch gag and was designed for the purpose as a bit suitable for the show ring, it will still give you a level of control but looks so much better. They are not too expensive and you may find you prefer it to the gag.
 
We've never had a problem showing in a dutch gag. If it were affilliated or high level then the other posters are right - but at local level you should be fine.

You can call the show secretary to check if you want to be sure.
 
Well then its a shame turnout standards are slipping. Even at a local level I would expect correct turnout.

Ok not so much at the 'fun shows' but there is a difference between a fun show and an unaffiliated show. Do you mean you use dutch gags at fun shows or unaffiliated shows?
 
You will only see a dutch gag being used in a working hunter class at affiliated level.

You can wear what you like in a local show, but don't be dissapointed if a judge does not place you above a horse wearing the correct tack in a flat class. Even if your horse goes "better" in your eyes, many judges will feel that the bit is not suitable for showing your horse is well schooled.

Some judges may not mind - it really does depend at local level who turns up to jduge you.
 
At our RC shows, even the Annual Show which is quite big, but certainly not affiliated, we encourage riders to use the tack that they feel most comfortable with. We tell them that the judges may have a preference for a particular kind of tack and judge accordingly but we want every-one to get experience, have fun and stay safe.
 
I agree with FMM.

As someone who does judge 'local' shows, I do like to try to encourage correct turnout, what is the point of going up through the ranks to discover that the only bit your horse accepts is not correct?

From a judging perpective I would not mind seeing a variety of bits in a WH class but I have seen a 3 ring gag on a small child's pony in first ridden!

If the purpose of showing is to show the world that your horse is just the best anything which makes a judge question manners or training could lose you that rosette!
 
You can get away with stuff local level, especially fun shows. I'm not a showing person, excepting local ones with young daughter or doing wh for the jumps on mine, I don't do showing. However I have taken various projects along for experience. As a result, I haven't always had correct turnout. Always clean & tidy, but projects in snaffles, whatever colour tack I had on them, bridle type, wrong colour jacket etc. While I have won or been placed with incorrect tack, you have to accept when you enter, that if there is nothing to choose between yourself & a correctly turned out entrant, you'll be placed below them.
On a side note, show aside, if you are going to ride in a gag, you really ought to learn to use 2 reins. They aren't designed to be used with one rein or roundings. If your hands are still & light enough to use a gag, mastering two reins isn't difficult.
 
If it is a local show you need to check the rules. Some don't care what you use but will place you accordingly, others run under affiliated rules, some have their own weird and wonderful rules.

Normally for showing you should be in a snaffle, pelham or double.
 
You mentioned a hanging cheek OP - yes, go for that instead. Local show or affiliated it will just be wrong to wear the gag.
 
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