Dressage - What Tack Is Allowed

sasquatch

sasquatch

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Been convinced by another livery to try some intro level dressage.

Whilst I know the dress code for humans, I'm not too sure with tack.

Currently my horse is in a brass loose ring lozenge bit, Mexican grackle, no martingale and a GP saddle for jumping and general riding.

As it's only intro, and only a local show, I'm not going to buy myself a dressage saddle just yet, however was wondering if his bit and noseband are okay?

I would much rather ride him at home in what is allowed for dressage whilst I do my dressage preparations so on the day he doesn't turn up and have a shock when he's not in what he's used to, which is why I'm asking :D
 
Grackles aren't allowed but you can use a flash or drop noseband if you need one. A loose ring snaffle is fine although you're not allowed to use bit rubbers / guards so if you have these you'd need to remove them for the test. :)
 
A grackle is not allowed (unless it is part of eventing) - but a cavesson, flash or drop are acceptable. You'll be fine in a GP saddle - at intro level, most people will be in a GP I'd expect.

Good luck & have fun :)
 
Kylara said:
Hey,
Here is the BD rule book http://goo.gl/UjJzr4 You want section 4 (page 26 -> I believe page 30 has nosebands) as that covers clothing and tack :)
Click to expand...

I would be doing dressage as part of Dressage Ireland, as BD doesn't cover NI however I won't be doing affiliated (well, yet, anyway!) and just want to have a go at a very small, local level to have a bit of fun :)

Thank you everyone, he was in a flash before the grackle and although he seems to prefer where the grackle sits, I'm sure changing back to the flash for a dressage test and the preparation for it will not be a huge change for him.

I'm only entering for a bit of fun and to see how it goes, my horse is lovely through w/t but his canter is a very big work in progress as he has a trotters canter which is why I'm only aiming for intro.
I don't expect to get amazing scores, but it's something that I've never done before and I don't see why I shouldn't at least give it a try at intro level.
If we end up doing horrendously, I can at least say we tried :)
 
Instead of the Grackle, get yourself a drop as if correctly fitted the drop part comes around the side of the lower face in much the same place as the grackle.

Your bit and saddle are fine for the lower levels.

Have fun.
 
This is from the dressage anywhere site which runs under BD rules (exception being bandages as they're allowed with DA to show that your video isn't at a competition):

Riding hats must be worn. BSI Standard hats or other such protective headwear is strongly advised and compulsory for those under 18 years of age. Suitable footwear with a heel and gloves must be worn for safety reasons.

Gloves must be worn.

Bridles should be used as follows: For British Dressage Walk and Trot (Introductory) and Preliminary to Novice tests – ordinary snaffle; Elementary and above – ordinary snaffle or double bridle. Nosebands must be worn, a drop, cavesson or flash with a snaffle or a cavesson with a double bridle. Grackle nosebands may only be worn in British Eventing and Pony Club tests.

Other tack: martingales, side, running or elasticised reins may not be used in any competition class.

Neck straps or balancing straps (a loop on the front of the saddle) may be used at all levels in British Dressage tests. Cruppers are also allowed in British Dressage tests.

Hope that helps! DA is the only BD I do as people let me borrow their horses until mine is old enough! :)
 
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