do people still event the old fashioned way?

I agree that there are some people out there with more money than sense, and buy the latest 'craze' because they think it will make them look the business!

But the majority of eventers i know use equipment because it's required, rather than for fashion.
 
I love the piccies if WFP. He uses no fussy equipment. Just a neck strap and a full cheek snaffle on most of his horses.

If I was doing a decent track I would use an overgirth but I come from the Poncy club era where it was compulsory to have one.

I use a martingale because horse has a rather long, gangly neck. It also gives me something to grab hold of in an emergency.

No breastplate, my saddle fits properly. Although If I had a horse with huge sloping shoulders and withers I may think differently.

I think most people wear what they feel safe in and what they feel they need. There are so many products that you can buy now, and theres much more emphasis on saftey so you have all the new fangled BP's and Point 2's ect. I guess they have a place but i'd rather R&D be spent on assessing the cause of accidents rather than just treating the symptoms... There were never that many 'nasty' accidents over the old style courses and I dont think people rode as well then or had as decent horses..

anyway each to their own what they use or dont use but it is lovely seeing horses who can go round with no gadgets or a million straps wrapped round them.
 
<FigJam wanders off to check bank account and wonder where all her cash has disappeared to... why is this "bdwp" person stealing all my pennies that I should be spending on airjackets and fluff?!> :p[/QUOTE]

:D:D:D:DCheeky monkey!:p;):)
 
I compete in a really old Ideal GP; I decided not to buy a dressage saddle and register with BE and pay entries instead!
 
yea i quite liturally have been using an overgirth everytime i have gone xc since i have been riding ........7years! for a kid thats a long time!!!
 
I'm a 15 yo as well, and XC event in a loose-ring snaffle with a lozenge, cavesson, GP, hunting breatsplate, XC boots, Body Protector with no shoulders. I personally don't use a lot on Tam, but I don't need a lot - I did on ym old pony, as she was so strong, so had more gear then, but I guess it's none of your business what people do!!

SOme pretty naive comments on here regarding money, and fashion IMO!!
 
can i just add that im really not "RICH" !! all i wanted to know was if people do event without all the gear! maybe i shouldnt of posted its getting a little critical!! :c
 
Moo is in a loose ring snaffle, cavesson noseband. we use a Martingale but only for jumping. We have an very old second hand Albion GP which I use for everything, I'd love a dressage saddle.. not going to happen though... That BDWP person stealing all the funds again! oh and very old scabby Woof boots. Although my money for working at badminton might go on some new ones!

We have a 5 point BP but only as we arrived at moreton morrel this year to find we have no BP/martingale with us.. can't xc without one, combination of gangly 6yo neck and slightly to big shoulder! Turned out the own brand 5 point was cheaper than the Hunting BP they had.

My safety stuff is a different thing.. my parents have a thing about safety, and it's their choice on what to buy so I've got a racesafe with shoulders and a Point two. But It keeps them happier so fine with me!

I think If you've got/earnt the money then get whatever you want.. If that means following the trends.. then fair enough!
 
I think you also need to look at how times have 'moved' on as in equipment, tack and safety

Everything now days is very sophisticated and developed to offer maximum comfort and protection to both horse and rider.

Things like 5 PBP offer more comfort to the horse than a breast girth plus a hunter breast plate/ martingale, the 5 PBP doesn't restrict the shoulders and offers alot more security to the saddle, it is also less to carry around than 2 different breast plates.

Stud girths are there again for safety, offering protection from the front legs and studs and maybe even saves their stomach if they give a jump a near miss and slide over it

And you are answering you own question about 'fluff' or pro lights ect, not may people can afford a saddle for each horse and there for use the wonder of the poly pad, or half pads to allow the saddle to fit correctly, and they have been proven to absorb pressure from the saddle bouncing around, hence why i use a poly pad jumping as my horse is EXTREMELY sensitive with saddles bouncing around.

And the range of boots and protection on offer for a horse these days I think is wonderful, why risk injury in being 'different' and not using boots. It isn't natural for a horse to be jumping huge great things and galloping for a long period of times, and I think it's our job and right to protect them in every way we can, and make them as comfortable as they can

And again for us, there is a HUGE variety of protection out there, okay some people think it's over the top, but you can't put a price on your life, and at TOP eventing I believe they are a great idea, although I still cannot afford a P2 now and personally wouldn't invest in one unless I got to a top level, but people want to look after them selves and their horses the best they can, I have shoulder pads and look as though I am going to war hahah but if I were to have a fall it may save a bit of me from breaking and there for allowing me to continue riding where as if I wasn't then I may be laid up in bed for a few weeks, my friend had a very nasty fall over a tiny jump and if she wasn't wearing shoulder pads she would have most defiantly broken her collar bone

new products are coming out all the time to provide comfort and safety, and I would never look down my nose at these products, but i am a design student so :P hahah
 
yes i know but i wasnt asking about any of this really in the first place just if people event without all of it!

its quite amazing at how good people are manipulating certian words and completely changing a question!!
 
tigerwithspots said:
yes i know but i wasnt asking about any of this really in the first place just if people event without all of it!

its quite amazing at how good people are manipulating certian words and completely changing a question!!
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There's been very little manipulation :confused:

However, when you post a question on a forum you are surely expecting answers? And that's what you got. One of the advantages/disadvantages of forums is the development of a thread.

I think it was the 'BE riders have lots of money to spend on "stuff"' comment that people took umbrage with.
 
tigerwithspots said:
i give up!! it wasnt me who said the money thing in the first place!

people get side tracked very easily!
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As Megan2006 has said, no one is having any issue with your OP, there has been comments directed at natalia's comment that stated "most BE riders have quite a large budget for buying new equipment, so if something is in fashion they tend to all have it.", so there's no need for you to worry yourself!

And the thread has hardly veered off track... I still see people still discussing equipment used and their opinion on pros/cons of different things used/not used? :confused:
 
I used to use an over girth, but was told by a starter or someone at an B.E event, I can't really remember, that if you had an over girth on it stopped the stirrups coming of if you had a fall and got your foot stuck! I think this could quite possibly be true and have never used one since!
 
Just to brighten things up...
here's some eventing the old fashioned way: (no breast girth, no boots, no martingale, no BP, no hard hat - tbh no idea really!!)

JohnDanHoldenby.jpg


and even more embarassing - with fluff and bandages, and an overgirth - but on a jumping pony so no suprise really:

LancerHoldenby.jpg
 
ofcourse ive read the thread! have you? people arnt positve at all!! i thought it would be nice to post but the first comment i get dousnt even take it seriously, thinks im just moaning!

and thanks siennamum! there awesome!!
 
I'm guessing the money comment was possibly for the top 'named' riders out there competing at 4* etc perhaps? Not BE riders in general having £££ to splash. For the amount of horse value they risk taking round, plus their sole income from riding and sponsorship from most of these companies for which they become more a 'brand/endorser' for...why not have the top of the range equipment and clothing? I think the safety equipment has evolved to match eventing nowadays. Courses are a lot more technical etc than 20 or so years ago, which leads to a lot of speculation for the increased risk factor now. :)
 
natalia said:
Very few and far between I'm afraid and most BE riders have quite a large budget for buying new equipment, so if something is in fashion they tend to all have it.
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Oh dear I must be far to rich then, as I obviously just follow the fashion, rather than using what my horses need :o!!!!!!

I have a bp with shoulder pads, and a point 2. My horse also has a 5 point breastplate with a martingale attachment, Dalmar XC boots and over reach boots. He wears a pee wee bit, and a mexican grackle (with a bit of fluff on the middle bit!). I have never used an over girth.

Guess what?????????????????

I have a good reason for every single item of kit I use, non of it is a fashion accessory.

Shoulder pads - proven to prevent broken collarbones, I do not have time for a broken collarbone.

Point 2 - I have already broken my back once and I still have issues with it, anything that could (and IMO does) help in the event of a fall (my back is very weak where the break occured and I have damage to my spinal cord, hence I take alot of risk when riding) is worth the price tag.

5 point breastplate - easy and quick to use, especially as my ned can get a bit excited when tacking up at comps. Gives me peace of mind that my saddle will stay put, without restricting my horse's movement.

Martingale attachment - IMO is like a seatbelt, you don't wear it because you are going to have a car accident, but it is blooming useful if you do. So my horse may not always need a martingale, but if for some reason he does throw his head up and go, at least I always have it.

Dalmar XC boots - I jump solid fences, which don't move, at speed, hence I want to protect the legs.

Over reach boots - My horse does over reach, so I am going to protect him from injury.

Pee wee bit - Is amazing, my horse had been ridden by large men, before coming to me (5'2" petite lady). He doesn't like gags or pelhams. The pee wee is the only bit that gives me brakes.

Mexican grackle - He can cross his jaw to evade the bit.

Anything i've missed out?????
 
Both my horses now, event in:

plain bridle in snaffles (one in flash/crank and the other in a grackle)
plain polypad (one wears a prolite)
elasticated breatsplate with *no* martingale attatchment
set of XC boots

and i wear body protector (with stars on i stuck on myself!) and i do wear shoulder pads, cause feel safer in them, and also my medical armband is in them.

An no other fancy gadgets! Did used to use a 5point cause step dad with limited horsey knowlege brought me one as a bday pressy, but now i hate them.. so bulky and a slap down the shoulder means nothing as it doesnt even touch them!!

I think simple is the way forward. Snaffle with no martingale is my motto unless absoloutly necesary!
 
Fourlegsgood said:
I suppose I tend towards the minimalist approach to kit. Piccy shows my standard XC kit for me and horse but looking at this I now realise that I have ditched the gloves to get a better feel down the reins so now use even less kit.

I don't think I could use less kit without getting rid of the saddle and bridle. Perhaps we have the clutter free look?

xckit.jpg
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Somewhere in the archives there is a photo of a man going xc in the 1930's on a totally naked horse and for head gear the rider is wearing a trilby. Good for him.
I have just reevaluated my kit and only put boots on the horse for sj and xc but not if I am hacking off road and not for schooling.
Did two CT classes at the weekend (1st and 4th) and the time was so tight between dressage and jumping that he went in on grass without boots or studs. He jumped brilliantly.
 
Sorry, it's just all the eventers I know round here even at grassroots level have pots of cash and buy everything that's just come out. If you haven't got the latest bit of kit you just aren't cool enough! EVERYONE seems to have point 2, devocoux 5 point breast plate, posh saddle, HSI hat, dalmar boots, the list is endless! Us paupers can't afford to event so have to show jump (least there's a chance of winning some decent money or at least your entries back).
 
natalia said:
Sorry, it's just all the eventers I know round here even at grassroots level have pots of cash and buy everything that's just come out. If you haven't got the latest bit of kit you just aren't cool enough! EVERYONE seems to have point 2, devocoux 5 point breast plate, posh saddle, HSI hat, dalmar boots, the list is endless! Us paupers can't afford to event so have to show jump (least there's a chance of winning some decent money or at least your entries back).
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Holding myself back from writing a very long reply to this! No comment.
 
FigJam said:
Really?! You honestly believe that most BE riders are swimming in spare cash to buy unnecessary bits of expensive kit just because they look good? Must be all the prize money those BE lot are winning...! :rolleyes: ;)

<FigJam wanders off to check bank account and wonder where all her cash has disappeared to... why is this "bdwp" person stealing all my pennies that I should be spending on airjackets and fluff?!> :p
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FJ - I know there are exceptions (def both you and me in this category!!) but I'm constantly amazed by the amount of money in the lorry park. I posted on this about a year ago I think; I went to Brechin to spectate; no-one was competing above Novice, and 80% of the lorry park was stocked with £30k+ horseboxes. I noticed it again this weekend. It's not exclusive to eventing I'm sure, but those are the only ones I go to ;) So I reckon if you have that much spare cash to burn on your horsebox, why not buy all the gear too :p That said, despite being "old school" I now own a five point :o but I was told that my saddle was designed to be used with one :rolleyes:.

To the OP - I actually still see plenty of people going "old school"; far more so than in other disciplines I think. But each to their own, personally I love horsey shopping so I'm just jealous of their lovely stuff :p
 
I took your initial post as slightly tongue in cheek rather than very serious, and certainly not criticizing others for buying safety equipment. Someone put a pic of Lucinda Green up a while back and she had v simple saddle/bridle, no martingale or boots.

My OH events his horse in a snaffle/racing breastplate/GP saddle/standard BP with no shoulder pads but does use good protective boots, and recently (gasp) I have bought them each a fluffy numnah.

Note I say fluffy numnah (rather than fluffy half pad over a plain numnah) so the horses backs directly get the benefit of the fluff.

Fiona
 
tigerwithspots said:
went out BE the other day and was the only one wearing an overgirth?! a breast girth, no martingale! body protector,no shoulderpads! a NORMAL saddlecloth, no fluff!! etc etc.....

i was in the intermediate novice so around a decent sized track! but felt a little naked compared to the people with airjackets, 5point breastplates, horse wrapped in cottonwool!

do people event simply anymore??
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It's a bit like asking someone why they drive a 2009 car rather than a 1989car...because now you have the option of airbags for safety, better engines for increased speed and airconditioning for comfort!technology is constantly changing so there is equipment available that wasn't available previously which makes life easier/safer/faster.

All of the items that you've mentioned have they're uses and whilst I'm against over kitting a horse, used correctly this equipment can drastically improve life for both horse and rider!
 
event_rider said:
It's a bit like asking someone why they drive a 2009 car rather than a 1989car...because now you have the option of airbags for safety, better engines for increased speed and airconditioning for comfort!technology is constantly changing so there is equipment available that wasn't available previously which makes life easier/safer/faster.

All of the items that you've mentioned have they're uses and whilst I'm against over kitting a horse, used correctly this equipment can drastically improve life for both horse and rider!
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You really must post more!! I have read 2 of the 4 posts you have posted and they have both made complete and utter sense. Another very good post :D
 
now_loves_mares said:
FJ -; no-one was competing above Novice, and 80% of the lorry park was stocked with £30k+ horseboxes. :p
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Ah now don't get me started on why people are willing to spend oodles on a flash box but not willing to spend the money on a decent horse. My mother always used to say its not the horsebox that counts, it's the horse that comes out of it.
 
I think all the modern kit does have its place on some horse somewhere, but lets face it not every horse needs a 5point, fluffy halfpad, martingale, stud girth, huge expensive bit etc. If I were to put all of this on my little novice mare I think I would have more kit than horse! Whereas I do have a cheap version of the 5point for the Old man as he needs a breastplate and all the normal ones rub him. All of mine start eventing in: GP, snaffle bridle and brushing boots and and If I find they need something else then I will use it but otherwise not.

Not sure why overgirths aren't used anymore, maybe its to do with the quality of saddles/leather used now vs then? How much do they help if your girth breaks anyway? do they just stop you falling off? I shouldn't think you can carry on can you? Quite interested to know the answers to these as I have never been in that situation and realy don't want to be :)
 
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