Plaiting for eventing

[Ample Prosecco]

Hurrah! I am not plaiting for dressage on Saturday or Stafford BE90 on Sunday. So liberating!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

The revolution has begun!! Well done all!!

 

[MagicMelon]

Loving this. If we could also push this non-plaiting into working hunter classes (that we occasionally delve a hoof into) that would be fab...! Plaiting is the only thing that puts me off entering!

 

[Jellymoon]

Right, I’m doing it too, no plaiting BD this week, and certainly none for BE at the weekend.
Oh hurrah! Feel a bit nervous/excited…

 

[Supercalifragilistic]

I’m going to chime in with a success story and a bit of a rant!!!
Success first - went out CT today, unplaited, inspired by this thread! Unaffiliated but a decent level at Elementary dressage. We were the only one there without plaits and my heart sank, but it clearly didn’t affect the judge’s marking (hooray!!!)
Now for the rant… I’m taking the kids to a PC ODE tomorrow and a turnout list was emailed around, it specifically says ponies to be plaited . We are taking a Section A and a Section B - boys will be in tweed, it’s not even correct to type to plait!! Plus we are leaving horribly early. I don’t think it’s optional though so I have just turned out two loosely plaited native ponies and hoping that they look vaguely presentable come 6am….

Pic of the Section A because he does look cute…

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Hurray for the no plaiting revolution! And no surprises if pony club is the last place to drop the expectation!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I’m going to chime in with a success story and a bit of a rant!!!
Success first - went out CT today, unplaited, inspired by this thread! Unaffiliated but a decent level at Elementary dressage. We were the only one there without plaits and my heart sank, but it clearly didn’t affect the judge’s marking (hooray!!!)
Now for the rant… I’m taking the kids to a PC ODE tomorrow and a turnout list was emailed around, it specifically says ponies to be plaited . We are taking a Section A and a Section B - boys will be in tweed, it’s not even correct to type to plait!! Plus we are leaving horribly early. I don’t think it’s optional though so I have just turned out two loosely plaited native ponies and hoping that they look vaguely presentable come 6am….

Pic of the Section A because he does look cute…

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Perhaps if the children were required to plait their own ponies ( after all aren't the kids supposed to learning how to do these things through pony club?) the pony club would soon change their minds!!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Didn’t plait at BE today. Lottie’s dressage score was awful. She was bouncing around the arena like Tigger going ‘when are we JUMPING’. So I don’t think I can blame her score on not plaiting!!

 

[Supercalifragilistic]

Perhaps if the children were required to plait their own ponies ( after all aren't the kids supposed to learning how to do these things through pony club?) the pony club would soon change their minds!!

Yes absolutely, it’s very much parent elbow grease rather than child powered plaiting, at least with the younger ones (and possibly all the boys…)

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

Didn’t plait at BE today. Lottie’s dressage score was awful. She was bouncing around the arena like Tigger going ‘when are we JUMPING’. So I don’t think I can blame her score on not plaiting!!

No you can't and so has to be a good example of how the plaiting makes no difference, unless she felt all wild and free with her flowing mane Hope the other phaes were ok?

 

[little_critter]

I’m afraid to say I plaited for the fun dressage comp on Sunday, but my plaiting is so bad it may actually add weight to the no plaiting argument!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

No you can't and so has to be a good example of how the plaiting makes no difference, unless she felt all wild and free with her flowing mane Hope the other phaes were ok?

Well she was pretty wild but not sure that was the plaiting... She was fab in the other phases so I'll forgive her. I think wild and free looks way better anyway!