Plaiting

J

Jo C

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 July 2001
Messages
3,960
Location
Essex
Visit site
At the risk of causing more discussion over this I am asking for your opinions again. I have a Connemara currently competing at BD Elem, now currently I don't plait for competitions because he is a native however my instructor keeps suggesting that maybe I should plait him up. What are your thoughts over this? If you were judging would it make any difference to you? To give you an idea http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/sh...rue#Post2225796 this what he looks like. Edited to say sorry you'll have to scroll down a bit.
Thoughts please
grin.gif
 
I never plaited my part bred connemara and it was never commented on, although I know it probably made a few people mutter.

Your photo shows you both well turned out so I think you'd be fine surley?
 
I'm not trying to be confrontational at all here but out of interest why? If you go by native rules on trimming they are to be shown in their natural state.
I'm not against the idea at all of plaiting it just feels wrong to plait a native as you also then have to trim feathers etc also.
Edited to say - Sorry that post sounds really argumentative and I don't mean it like that at all
grin.gif
 
Oh he'd definitly look nice plaited but I was guessing she does some native showing and for that he needs his natural mane hence not being able to pull/plait it?
 
I really don't know Alibabe, I'd never considered plaiting but because my instructor keeps mentioning it I'm starting to feel as though I should. Mind you I'm really not sure how to get all that mane in plaits!
crazy.gif
grin.gif
 
So how busy will you be Sunday morning to help me try and get that mane into plaits then?!
tongue.gif

Edited cos I can't spell!
 
I do sidesaddle in the native style yes. But real problem I have is that I'd have to trim a native and being an ex showing person I think I'd have real trouble doing that
tongue.gif
 
If you don't want plaits the size of golf balls could you try a running/arab plait down his crest? Mind you, if it were me I probably wouldn't plait either - you are smartly turned out and there aren't actually any marks in dressage for plaiting (sadly, might help me if there were)....
 
I always get better marks platted and a friend who judges says it shows you have put the effort in getting ready however I have never had a native so neaver asked her opinion on that,
 
Your instructor sounds like a philistine!
mad.gif
grin.gif
grin.gif
grin.gif


You may remember my sentiments from last time: slightly worried that people would feel badly about me for not plaiting my native but quite strongly against doing it! In fact your last post was the one that compelled to post for the first time!!!

Having seen your photo I think your pony could pull-off being plaited (mine could not!) but I think the main reason to plait is for turn-out and to show respect to the judge/organisers but your pony looks clean and tidy anyway (Daz white!). Also if people think that way then that would imply that they think that properly turned-out natives never look good or show any effort - not the case! Besides I'd rather see a tidy, full mane than football plaits - yuk!
grin.gif


Just to add, I would always plait a non-native
smile.gif
 
I always get better marks platted and a friend who judges says it shows you have put the effort in getting ready however I have never had a native so never asked her opinion on that,
 
No not at all, I also didn't want to come across funny do you show him too? If so then I can totally understand but if not then (and I mean this nicely) you are doing dressage not showing so to look professional I think plaited up looks much better. Of course if you show too then it would be difficult as you would have to pull his mane etc.
 
I would try plaiting him, he's not so native that he couldn't get away with it. That's purely due to the fact that it looks smart and dressage like!! I know that's bad as he is a native, but he looks like a converted dressage pony if you ask me!
I think that it shows you've made an effort to turn out the pair of you to the highest standard.
But if you aren't happy to pull it then it's your decision at the end of the day, your current way is 'PC' but then who gives a damn about that anyway.....! (never been into showing - can you tell!)
 
If it is a native horse then no plaits but if non native then it should be plaited.

I think yours could get away with being plaited but if the mane is hard to put into little plaits then maybe a running plait.
 
I'm not really a big fan of the running/arab plait unless its on an arab, it just looks wrong to me but I guess thats my showing background talking again
laugh.gif
 
Hmm and I have a sidesaddle show in Sept so don't think it would grow back in time, perhaps I'll give it a go in the winter when he is all clipped and there is no showing. I'll keep you all informed and post pictures plaited and unplaited - you can all then decide for me. Deal?!
laugh.gif
 
You say that you do not get marks for plaiting and being well turned out but unfortunately you do. Why do you never see any ugly horses doing well at dressage? Its because they do not look the picture, they do not look as elegant. A good looking horse fills the eye and makes it look better. Why do you all wear well fitting coats and clean white breeches? Its because it looks smart and proffessional but also elegant. Plaiting has one extra advantage its an optical illusion. You can make the horses neck look longer and shorter.You can make the crest look bigger and the neck looked developed. Dressage is totally about image. Do you wear a beagler? Why it does nothing and has no protection what is wrong with a jockey skull? It looks better though and this is why people plait.
 
Now see, from a judges point of view, I think Jo looks fine unplaited and can apprieciate that he is not plaited, because he is a native.

She looks very smart and i don't think it will make any difference to her marks really. It would however, be an interesting experiment.

If the horse goes well, it doesn't matter if you dont fit in with the typical "dressage look"
 
I am definitely going to try as an experiment, however it does go against my principles slightly as feel the natives should be championed for what they are. If I had say a fell or highland I wouldn't either consider plaiting. But it is nice to read everyones views on this, they do seem to be widely differing.
 
Sorry to steal the post a little, but what would you all do with a horse that gets very very excited when he realises you're going to a show? I'm not going BD, it's only a Classical Riding Club test. The horse would definately look better plaited (he's Dutch-bred, see my recent post in the photo gallery) but he gets very anxious and spins in his stable, and I always get far too nervous and stress out before competitions! I am also rubbish at plaiting! Heaven knows I need all the marks I can get though...! Is it worth it in your opinions?
 
For a Dutch bred I would plait and probably go down the calmer route (for both you and the horse
grin.gif
) saying that though there are several that don't plait for Trailblazers round here, but I haven't ever done Classical. Sorry that's no help at all is it?
 
He's already on Nupafeed, and I'm not sure the owner would agree to me giving him any more
frown.gif
I, on the other hand, get an overdose of Bach remedies and Kalms!
I may have a practice tomorrow, and if he gets worked up I'll not bother on Sunday!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top