New bridle rules for dressage US and NZ

[Cloball]

USEF Updates Rule on Crownpiece Specifications for Dressage Bridles

US Equestrian encourages all dressage competitors, licensed officials, and competition managers to review a new memo regarding the rule update to DR121.3.a – Crownpieces.

www.eurodressage.com

Can't say I understand the rationale behind this particular one, I thought the gap was to reduce pressure but maybe I've missed some new research. Also seems like an odd thing to focus on in the current dressage climate

NZ appear to have made nosebands optional though which seems good I wonder if BD will follow suit. I'd like to take pony out to do some dressage eventually and it would be nice not to have to look for my noseband .

 

[ester]

The USEF thing is weird.

 

[Cloball]

Glad I'm not the only one thinking it's odd.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

It is weird, and USEF chooses the oddest hills to die on. Not like there are bigger fish to fry, or anything.

 

[SibeliusMB]

It is weird, and USEF chooses the oddest hills to die on. Not like there are bigger fish to fry, or anything.

Agreed. USEF is constantly bobbing around in the dark, grasping at the wrong things. I don't think an actual horse person wrote this rule, it's absolutely bizarre and pointless.

My horse has this split crown piece and he loves it. It's the pressure over the middle of the poll, especially with a trimmed bridlepath as he has, that seems to make him more sensitive. Based on how he goes, he's been very happy with this setup (the animal communicator even said so ). It's sad to think horses like him can't enjoy poll relief bridles because some desk jockey doesn't understand how they work.

 

[millitiger]

Bonkers.

What an odd thing to prioritise and spend 100s of hours across the association to propose, discuss, ratify etc.

 

[LEC]

Fairfax were first to do this because of their research into poll pressure? I appreciate their studies are not particularly great but it has led to a lot of work on pressure around the face.
Es like this are normally bought in because someone has either tried to do something really stupid or there is a committee member with intention (maybe have a bridle company)

 

[Cloball]

I agree @LEC there is definitely an ulterior motive. I just think it's a very simplistic view of pressure.

I mean, yes, more surface area = less pressure but where you don't want any pressure is also important. No surface over the spine would also = no pressure .
Ultra fat padded headpieces aren't going to be the best ever because there will be no space for the ears and it will alter the fit of everything below it surely.

 

[CrazyMare]

Agreed. USEF is constantly bobbing around in the dark, grasping at the wrong things. I don't think an actual horse person wrote this rule, it's absolutely bizarre and pointless.

My horse has this split crown piece and he loves it. It's the pressure over the middle of the poll, especially with a trimmed bridlepath as he has, that seems to make him more sensitive. Based on how he goes, he's been very happy with this setup (the animal communicator even said so ). It's sad to think horses like him can't enjoy poll relief bridles because some desk jockey doesn't understand how they work.

I have that bridle too. Mine has a super thick mane and forelock and that headpiece gives plenty of room for it. I don't trim a bridle path though.

It definitely has less pressure, the whole bridle seems loose when it's all adjusted to normal fittings