FEI Madness

ihatework

ihatework

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French links banned for Eventing dressage.

This trumps the daft neckstrap rule even.

And no, it’s not April Fools Day
 
They’ve not changed the rules? The mark up version 19-20 doesn’t have anything to do with French link vs now not?

https://inside.fei.org/sites/defaul... for 2020 - rules changes-mark up version.pdf

You can see from this:
https://inside.fei.org/sites/default/files/2020 Use of Tacks Equipment Dress - 17.02.2020.pdf
The rule book diagrams are not supposed to be exhaustive- and the not permitted DrBristols and cable bits are featured along with more ‘modern’ allowed ones. I doubt they covered ‘French link’ specifically as it falls comfortably into the wording which takes presidence to the pictures usually. The rule book only has Micklem and English grackles, this has the other comfort bridles and Mexican grackles in.
 
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rara007 said:
They’ve not changed the rules? The mark up version 19-20 doesn’t have anything to do with French link vs now not?

https://inside.fei.org/sites/default/files/Eventing Rules for 2020 - rules changes-mark up version.pdf

You can see from this:
https://inside.fei.org/sites/default/files/2020 Use of Tacks Equipment Dress - 17.02.2020.pdf
The rule book diagrams are not supposed to be exhaustive- and the not permitted DrBristols and cable bits are featured along with more ‘modern’ allowed ones. I doubt they covered ‘French link’ specifically as it falls comfortably into the wording which takes presidence to the pictures usually. The rule book only has Micklem and English grackles, this has the other comfort bridles and Mexican grackles in.
Click to expand...

Oh I can promise you they have.
It’s been debated for a little while behind the scenes, I didn’t think they would go through with it.
You can see for yourself the Annex A red-lines and in conjunction with page 12 on the bitting section linked it is quite clear that only those bits shown are permitted.
 
It was last updated mid december? Which removed the word ‘smooth’ so now they only have to be rounded and permitted wavy bits. I guess there’ll be another release of the rules soon?
Much simpler bit rules driving :p
 
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According to the rules rar007 posted, "Double jointed bits with barrel or ball joint as the centre link are allowed for all tests.Eventing rules: Annex A.1.5."
 
Caol Ila said:
According to the rules rar007 posted, "Double jointed bits with barrel or ball joint as the centre link are allowed for all tests.Eventing rules: Annex A.1.5."
Click to expand...

Yes, so lozenge/peanuts are fine.
French links aren’t.
The red lines show these changes.
 
ester said:
I thought it was a dr Bristol plate that was the issue.
Click to expand...

One would like to think that!

But over Olympia I was sat having dinner with 2 people who have been in consult with the rule developments and french link was the topic of conversation ...

One reason offered was that ‘tack check stewards had trouble telling the difference between FL and DB’. Suffice to say we all had similar thoughts on that ?
 
it's utterly crazy.
I have a horse that won't accept any lozenge as well as a french link. If it's filtered into FEI eventing dressage, I guess it's only a matter of time before the national bodies take the same rule? Ugh.
 
‘Pure’ FEI dressage hasn’t changed yet so we can hope! Seems quite politically bold from the eventers in the current climate of FEI and welfare.
 
Welfare and FEI are to me not one and the same thing. You only have to look at what they are doing in endurance regarding weight in the name of welfare to know that they don't do research into things. I should probably get off my soapbox now!
 
I read an article that showed x-rays of the horses mouth when the french link was engaged. The reason they've banned it is because the x-rays showed that when there is pressure on the reins the flat link twists. It presses on the tongue at an angle so it apparently it works like a Dr Bristol.
 
Horse Bit fit have something on their fb page about it and when I've had them in to recommend a bit for both Mr B and Rose they suggested a turtle top, which I have to admit both horses went well in. I've always thought the French link was kinder than the nutcracker action of a single jointed snaffle but if there is evidence to suggest otherwise I'm happy to accept that not that I will ever be doing FEI eventing!
 
As someone who currently has rather a large amount of money invested in my manufacturer producing titanium french link bits, among several others, this is rather a disappointment to put it mildly!

Here is hoping this questionable decision doesn't trickle down to too many of my customers who will decide if it isn't allowed for the FEI then it isn't good enough for them either :rolleyes:

I have to say when I first read about this the other day i did think they must surely be talking about the Dr. Bristol - I could not believe they had singled out the good old dependable french link. My money is on the fact most of them haven't a clue how to tell the difference between the two so just voted to get rid of the FL as well.
 
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