Plaiting

Silmarillion what's he like when you arrive at the show ground? Still hyper or does he settle?

My connie mare used to get terrible nerves if you did any prep work at home but once on the show ground she'd settled so I could do it all there. Did mean we were often the first one on the show ground though.

Also competed her BD unplaited and won so I really do believe judges take into account the fact that they're natives and shouldn't be plaited.
 
You can get the calmer that comes in a syringe which you give them 1 hour before, I can't think what it is called but I have a friend who uses it. I'll ask her and let you know.
At the end of the day it is supposed to be fun so if plaiting stresses him out I'd probably leave it and keep practising at home in the meantime so he gets used to it.
 
Ive competed on Star, plaited and unplaited and personally didnt think it made much difference, we still won most of them
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haha. Agree it does make them look that much more elegant and shows you've made the effort, but there is no rule on it, so you shouldnt be penelised if you dont/cant plait???
 
I IMO lec has got it spot on, in dressage and showing you have create an image that judge keeps in their eye.
If judges has two horses move same way but one has created a better image they'll score better marks, maybe not on movements, but defo in collective. If you plait you horse so it looks like the crest big so creates better over all feeling and as dressage is a subjective sport, i would defo plait up and see if does improve marks
 
I plait both my natives I personally think it looks smarter & shows off the neck. Only making this post as I havent seen anyone suggest doing checkerboard style plaits? I think that gives a tidier image and makes it look like you've put in more effort (which is a ridculous idea seen as with a snow white untrimmed conne, you prob have to put in 4x more work than anypne else!)
 
Lol I should have shares in Quiksilver shampoo!!
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I have decided to give it a go over the winter when he is fully clipped anyway and see if it makes any difference. Most of the judges round here recognise him anyway so will probably wonder what I am up too.
 
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I really disagree. Whether a horse is plaited or unplaited makes no difference to marks for paces, submission, impulsion or the riders position!

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agree 100% - a judge shouldnt mark lower just because a horse insn't plaited.

However, i do think horses look nicer plaited whether they are naitive or not - thats just my personal view tho - it also shows off the neck and in my eyes it makes it look like youve made an effort aswell.
 
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Silmarillion what's he like when you arrive at the show ground? Still hyper or does he settle?

My connie mare used to get terrible nerves if you did any prep work at home but once on the show ground she'd settled so I could do it all there. Did mean we were often the first one on the show ground though.

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He's always far worse at the show. He's always bad really, especially if I start fussing with him - he prefers it if I just tack up and get on with it! It's a shame I only get him two days a week as it means less practice. I will have a go though.
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I really disagree. Whether a horse is plaited or unplaited makes no difference to marks for paces, submission, impulsion or the riders position!



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May be not, but a plaited and tidy mane always give a impression of neatness and and can therefore make the whole picture just look that bit more filled to the eye than a mane blowing about all over the place. Of course if your a lucky one whose horses mane sits perfectly to one side in all weather conditions then it makes no difference either way!
 
Definitely don't plait. I think its great to see non warmbloods out competing at BD and I'd much rather see them as nature intended rather than tarted up like these overpriced cart horse crossbreds ;-) I love seeing full flowing manes and it makes a real statement that you're proud to be riding something a bit different.
 
I think he looks lovely unplaited, he's well presented and his mane lies nicely, not in a punk rocker style like the one Flash is sporting
 
Jo C,only just seen this post or else I would have replied earlier.

Any dressage judge that marks a plaited horse higher than an unplaited one needs to be struck off!! It is NOT in any way something that the judge should concern themselves with.

In all my years judging I can honestly say that if someone asked me at the end of the class whether any of the horses had been unplaited I wouldn't be able to answer because I don't even notice!! I am only concerned with how the horses do the test.
 
Of course if your a lucky one whose horses mane sits perfectly to one side in all weather conditions then it makes no difference either way!

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Ahem that would be me then!
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His mane just doesn't really ever move.
 
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I think he looks lovely unplaited, he's well presented and his mane lies nicely, not in a punk rocker style like the one Flash is sporting

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Aww thank you!
 
Ive only ever plaited my connie once for dressage and he looked a mess plaited (realy realy doesnt suit it). Ive done lots of unaffiliated dressage as i mainly show him and cant afford membership to the showing societies (about 6 at last count) and BD. But weve always done well. I know fells who do well at affiliated and they have manes to thier knees (well not litteraly but nearly) oh and coloured traditionals with long flowing manes, i know a few of them that have done well at the lower levels.

Leave your connie as a native and go do your dressage as a native! And if the judge drops you marks because your not plaited then they realy shouldnt be judging at all and a strongly worded letter of complaint to BD is in order.
 
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