I feel the need to get one, but do I really need one?

[only_me]

I always wear a breastplate on my horse, regardless of what we are doing

He dosent go in behind his shoulders so no matter what saddle i use it is always going to slip back

I really like the look of the 5 point but then i like hunting types, I am about to order the amigo one as i think it looks smart

you should always use a breastplate xc, as it is there *just in case*

 

[Chloe_GHE]

[ QUOTE ]
Chloe, i really do think they're a necessity, a breastplate or breastgirth. you'll struggle to find a pic of an eventer competing without one...!

[/ QUOTE ]

Harumph *sulk* I really hate to say this but I think you might be right!

I just spent 10mins googling images and couldn't find a single one of a high level eventer not using some sort of breastplate. I find this so odd in 26 years of riding noone has EVER advised me to use a breastplate xc....I'm totally bewildered about that, how did I manage to slip through the net?..... surely I'm not the only one?.... *bamboozled*

 

[MegaBeast]

There was a recent pic posted by someone on here of Lucinda Green going cross country, can't remember where, but taking an absolute flyer on a brown horse, with no boots of breastplate if I remember correctly, but can't remember who took the photo, was in with a whole batch of others.

 

[Chloe_GHE]

That was me!!!! I took those pics at Barbury castle, do you mean this one?...

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss54/gifthorseeventing/DSC00570.jpg

also looking through my set I have also found Antoinette Mckeown in just a running martingale here

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss54/gifthorseeventing/DSC00430.jpg

 

[MillbrookSong]

Interesting post! i always used to use a breatplate but this season and maybe last i havnt only used one on the 4yo as his tack slips back terrible. Might have to go and dig out a bigger one for song or put it on the wish list!!

 

[Fiona]

mbronze - yes they look beautiful but are they practical. I have yet to see one (correct me if I'm wrong though) where the sheepskin bits are detachable. Think how yucky they are going to get after a while and how hard to clean, and how easy a plain leather breastgirth or a hunting breastplate are to polish up again after muddy hunting or an early season event.

One of mine doesn't need a martingale so she just wears a leather breastgirth, though I might buy a sheepskin cover for it this season perhaps. Other mare wears a hunting breastplate (with a tiny elastic insert) with clipped on martingale.

Someone on HHO had a horse who wouldn't jump in a 5 point breastplate - was it beauchamp (aka thistle)????

There is a v smart Mark Todd hunting style breastplate which is lovely and showy looking.

I do agree in general though - shopping for new tack is LOTS of fun, but would rather have a new bridle and breastplate for probably the cost of a 5 point breastplate - frugal Ulster Scot speaking here

Enjpy your spending spree anyway!

Fiona

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

For the dumb blonde, could some one please explain what they mean by a 'hunting breastplate' vs a normal breast plate?

 

[MegaBeast]

[ QUOTE ]
That was me!!!! I took those pics at Barbury castle, do you mean this one?...


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes! That's the one!!!!

 

[Fiona]

It looks a bit like a martingale with the addition of two little short bits of leather to attach it to the D rings on the front of the saddle just below the pommel.

As so...

http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/prodshow.asp?id=2179&a=srch

Probably you call it something completely different in Oz????

Fiona

 

[Equus Leather]

"but then my JRN co-ord told me i needed to get one for weston 1* because it would be frowned upon if i didnt use a breastplate when going XC :O"

My mouth dropped open at this!

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

Thanks for the explantion!

It turns out I'm the proud owner of 2 'hunting breastplates'