Plait????

[han_mojo]

Hi

Im going to my 1st british event on the 14th. I want to know do i have to plait or not? As i have a cob with very thick frizzy mane and will never plait!!!! Or he will have golf balls!

thanx.

 

[Jul]

Hi,
I have been to a few BE events and didn't plait for any of them. My horse's mane is pulled neatly and I've never plaited for BSJA or BD so I didn't think it necessary. However, a few people have since expressed surprise at the fact that I didn't plait and said it was definitely the done thing. So the next time I went I made a point of looking to see what other people did. I have to say there was absolutely NOBODY else there unplaited!
So in a way I'm in the same position as you - unsure as to what to do for the next one! There is no actual rule that says you have to plait.........

 

[Mbronze]

I go to BE events alot and I'm afraid as far as I'm concerned you should really plait, even though they may look like golf balls at least you can show that you have made the effort and then for the SJ & XC you can take the plaits out..so you don't have to keep them in all day....

 

[han_mojo]

well as long as theres no rule! as i dont want to be disqualified! expessially spending all the money on it!! So im going unplaited, anyway i will be the odd one out and be a head turner, i dont care lol! Least i will stand out to judges haha!

 

[Mbronze]

By any chance if it's Malpas I 'll see you there, I'll look out for the 'unplaited' one!!!

 

[han_mojo]

yes its malpas! haha! its my 1st one! quite scared, as as you can see by my signiture pics he aint the typical cross country horse! haha!

 

[Mbronze]

If you've done at least one cross country,dressage and show jumping round then I'm sure you will be fine at Malpas, it's really one of the easiest ones in the area in my opinion, so will give you a nice start hopefully..
p.s He looks lovely, not typical xc horse, but what is these days!!

 

[han_mojo]

I have done One day events at warren farm. and also a few xc jumps at where i am. My friend went to malpas last year so i went to watch and also to look at the jumps for the next time round, and it looked like a nice course. The only thing was where they have like picture boards at the side of the cross country he will look at! lol.

I hope it doesnt get cancelled! Im ringing up my farrier tomorrow to see if he can put stud holes in his 2 back feet. And then i need to learn how to put studs in!

 

[Mbronze]

Best thing to do is not to look at the picture boards yourself, and with any luck he'll just think he's imagining things...
Studs most definetely needed given ground at the minute...if you get stuck with the studs I can help you put them on there.

 

[han_mojo]

oh yes please!!!!!!!!! you will be my life saver!!! what class are you doing?

 

[Mbronze]

Just the Intro, I'll let you know which section when i know nearer the time, failing that just look out for a silly big baby horse named Ardra and a frightened rider (me)

 

[han_mojo]

haha! we can look silly together!

I am going to plait now, people on a different site have said i should and sometimes the judge mark you down. So i will have to either do a running plait, or massive golf balls! oh the shame!

When the times come out give me a privite message and i will tell you when my times are aswel.

thanx for you help.

 

[Mbronze]

Not a problem, I'll pm you when I get them...fingers crossed the rain eases off!!!

 

[lizzie_liz]

A judge shouldn't mark you down for not plaiting. It is polite to plait. If a horse is native then a horse can go unplaited but if not a native then it should be plaited. If the plaits look like golf balls could you possibly do a running plait.

 

[han_mojo]

im just gona see how it looks! if not then it will be quite obvious its unable to plait, and he is a irish cob.

 

[wench]

Well i have a TB with a bog brush mane that is a nightmare to plait. I know you are supposed to show cobs hogged, but surely he'd class as a native type, and thus not have to plait him?

Obviously there is also the safety side of things, if his mane gets in the way on XC (i have ridden very hairy horses and got hands and reins tangled up in mane), then put it in a running plait. Otherwise I wouldnt bother.

 

[ColouredFan]

I wouldnt ever consider going to a BE event an not paliting, and I dont think I have ever in 2 seasons seen anyone else unplaited, so glsd you decided to plait, wouldnt create a good first impression for the judge!

 

[DollyPentreath]

Totally agree with AimeeC, I have never seen anyone un-plaited at a BE event. I used to have huge golfballs on my horse, till I discovered thinning scissors and the wonder that is quick braid spray!

 

[KatB]

SOrry turn out is very important IMO! WOuldnt ever go to a BE event unplaited...I used to have an Irish cob too and he was always either plaited or hogged.