Hunter class -can I get away without a double bridle?

[pootleperkin]

Hi all,

I have ponio entered in the lightweight hunter class at Northumberland county show next bank holiday monday. Dilemma is this - he has only recently just started to be completely in front of the leg and accepting of the contact (changing his bit to a myler snaffle has helped enormously) and so I am loathe to put him in a double for the show, particularly as this week would be the only practice he would have in it.

He is going really well in the Myler and has no brake troubles. He is 5 rising 6, but is a year behind in his training due to his illness. I put in him in a couple of hunter classes last year in the snaffle and the judges didn't object, but they were at smaller shows.

Any thoughts?
PS - unfortunately there wasn't a novice hunter class, where I'm sure a snaffle wouldn't be looked at twice.

 

[Ezme]

At a county show I doubt it but how about a rugby pelham with a slip head riding him just off the snaffle rein?

 

[pootleperkin]

Might well do that - will have to try and find him a skinny one so that he doesn't feel like he has loads of bit in his tiny wee mouth again!

 

[Kallibear]

yeh, I'd try a rugby pelham. The low port (cambridge) one is well accepted by most horses. I've got a Korsteel one and it's fairly thin.