Dressage rules

Jennyharvey

Jennyharvey

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Im trying to figure out if i can ride a dressage test bitless and wanted to ask some advise about the rules. If i were to use a normal snaffle bridle, with reins from the bit to my hands, but a set of reins from the noseband to my hands to control the horse, would this be allowed? I have no problem having a bit in my horses mouth, just not using it. On principle really. Thanks
 
The BD rule book states bridles should be used in a conventional manner and flash, drop or cavesson nose bands only. I'm guessing at BD at least it would be a no.
 
I don't think you would be allowed to ride in a snaffle bridle with 2 reins, sorry.

You could always ask The organisers if they would let you ride Bittless, but it may be H/C.
 
No you cannot (as ossy says). You would not be allowed 2x reins unless at elementary and above and then only with a conventional double bridle. As another poster says you probably could HC if you asked in advance.
 
In addition to the points already posted re:double reins and use of the bridle, BD are very strict on nosebands, so sidepull/crossunder/hackamore would be illegal anyway. Most unaffiliateds run under BD rules, and I've certainly never been to s show where it would have been allowed.
 
Unaffiliated almost always run BD rules, and BD rules state you must have a bit, with the reins attached to the bit in the conventional manner if you are to compete. If you want 2 sets of reins, you must be using a double bridle (in the conventional manner) and be competing at Elementary or above.

Nosebands must be conventional so none would be allowed that reins can attach to.

It is an interesting debate the whole bitless dressage thing, and I'm sure not that long ago at a demo there was a GP rider showing off GP movements on her horse in a bitless bridle (note this was a demo and not a competition) - so it can be done, but equally her horse is ridden with a bit to compete so you could argue the majority of its training is done with a bit so is it true 'bitless' riding when the horse is used to a bit?

If you want to compete at dressage you have to use the bit to form the contact - those are the rules, the rules have existed for a very long time and dont look like they are about to change any time soon. Everyone will have their own opinion but to me, if you are willing to put a bit in your horses mouth and 'hold' the reins then I dont see why you object to having a contact on that set of reins? By 'holding' this second set of reins you will unavoidably put some pressure on the horses mouth, even if you dont know you're doing it. You might think you are controlling the horse via the noseband but you wont ever know that for sure if there is a bit in the mouth and reins attached to that bit.
 
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