first Unaffiliated ODE - Do I need to plait?

[opinionuk]

I'm off on my first ODE at end of Feb will I need to plait her? Its unaffiliated and a minimus course, is it necessary to plait her do you think? Given the choice I'd rather not plait her but want to check.

I have done unaffiliated dressage on her and didn't plait as it was only an intro test but not sure if this applies to ODEs?

 

[be positive]

Most will be plaited for ODEs so I would, unless you are riding a M&M/ Arab or proper traditional cob type.

 

[rhino]

Do you 'have' to? No, nothing in the rules

Should you? Yes, it is common courtesy. I always plait even at unaff odes and can't remember ever seeing anything unplaited (even m&ms and trad's have arabian plaits.) It is a faff but does give a good impression

 

[Lolo]

I would... Looking the part and all that

 

[Boxers]

Yes, Definately plait up. It looks so smart and is a courtesy to the organisers and landowners.

 

[Carlosmum]

I always plait for the dressage with elastic bands rather than thread & take plaits out for jumping. Gotta have something to hold on to !!

 

[dafthoss]

I would but then I palit my native for dressage too. It looks smart and its polite to the judge.

 

[nikCscott]

I would plait for a ODE

I'm interested to hear if the majority would plait for a mid-week evener training competition?

I like to plait but not sure how I'm going to get it done on a Thursday evening when the girls have swimming lesson

 

[Cazzah]

I would plait for a ODE

I'm interested to hear if the majority would plait for a mid-week evener training competition?

I like to plait but not sure how I'm going to get it done on a Thursday evening when the girls have swimming lesson

I plait mine for every ODE - I agree with the other comments that it is a common courtesy to the judges and organisers and is expected. I also have to juggle child and horse and have found that a lycra head and neck cover is the answer - plait the night before and whip it off before the comp - never had any issues

 

[Leg_end]

Yep always plait. Looks far nicer and shows consideration to the judge.

 

[nikCscott]

I plait mine for every ODE - I agree with the other comments that it is a common courtesy to the judges and organisers and is expected. I also have to juggle child and horse and have found that a lycra head and neck cover is the answer - plait the night before and whip it off before the comp - never had any issues

Can't use the lycras he pulls them over his eyes- I have a few different makes but always the same and have heard some awful stories of when they do get over the eyes in the night- luckily he doesn't rub his plaits out I'll just have to plait and stitch super early and keep him in with his neck cover down.