Going nosebandless for competition - anyone know the rules?!

[_MizElz_]

Hi guys,
I've been experimenting recently, and my girl seems to be much happier being ridden without a noseband. That's not to say that she goes badly with one on, but she just seems more free and less fussy without.
Does anyone know what the rules are regarding riding without a noseband? We only showjump/event unaffiliated now, but obviously a lot of comps are run under BE/BS/BD rules.
Many thanks! (and here's a gratuitous Ellie pic from this morning, just coz I think she's as beautiful without a noseband as she is with )

 

[meandmyself]

I think your best bet would be to email the people running the comps and ask if it's okay.

 

[be positive]

There is nothing to say you have to wear a noseband under BE rules which are much the same as BD and for BS almost anything goes so you will be fine. It states in the rule book that they are permitted not compulsory.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Cavesson nosebands dont have much purpose anyway so wouldnt have thought it would be an issue but best to get it confirmed so you dont get afflicted by a jobsworth....

 

[oldvic]

You have to wear a noseband for dressage - or the dressage phase of an ODE. Fine to jump without one.

 

[Booboos]

Nosebands are obligatory for BD, sorry!

 

[perfect11s]

You have to wear a noseband for dressage - or the dressage phase of an ODE. Fine to jump without one.

A bit strange !! surely it should get you a higher score if your horse was realy acepting the bit, and going nicely without opening his mouth ??? I show western and nose bands are not allowed and the judge will mark you down if the horse isnt acepting/avading the bit by opening there mouthes!!!

 

[_MizElz_]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far!

Typical, isn't it - the one area we struggle with is flatwork; the one area having no NB has been really influential is....you've guessed it, flatwork Ah well! Dressage stewards hate me; I had a stand up row with someone last year who was telling me I couldn't use my grackle in a dressage test, even though it was being run under BE rules

 

[Amaranta]

Nosebands are obligatory for BD, sorry!

Yup - you beat me to it

 

[Beausmate]

Could you find a really lightweight cavesson and do it up fairly loosely?

 

[Lolo]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far!

Typical, isn't it - the one area we struggle with is flatwork; the one area having no NB has been really influential is....you've guessed it, flatwork Ah well! Dressage stewards hate me; I had a stand up row with someone last year who was telling me I couldn't use my grackle in a dressage test, even though it was being run under BE rules

Someone tried to make Al remove her neck strap before a dressage test... Luckily, they seemed to realise that arguing with a stubborn teenager who'd probably rather remove her jods than her neck strap they backed down!

Could you have a very loose cavesson?

 

[_MizElz_]

Yup I think a loose cavesson is the main way to go to be honest - when I do use a noseband, that tends to be what I go for! It just seems crazy to have extra leatherwork that actually isn't doing anything...just hacking and schooling recently, I've realised how easy and less fussy it must be for a horse not to have a noseband on - providing they dont need it! Again, thank you everyone for your replies

 

[pintoarabian]

You don't need one for BS. We always jump our mare without one and she has a great set of results. She was 2nd today in a large Discovery class, beaten only by our gelding.