Query: Bit for showing

[smolmaus]

Morning all. A friend not of the forum has just switched her mare into an Avacallo Sensitive straight bar rubber bit.

She knows it's not dressage legal but was wanting to go out for a bit of local showing just for a fun day. Looking at ridden horse or ladies hunter classes, low level local show, just doesn't want to be eliminated right off the bat and google isn't giving her the answer!

Thanks in advance!

 

[P.forpony]

If its only local level showing they shouldn't be too fussy about bitting, check the schedule and if they are fussy, it usually says something along the lines of which classes should be snaffle etc.

Or have a look at something with a mouthpiece similar to what she likes, but a more traditional look, like this

 

[UKa]

Following as have just introduced mine to a Beris Mullen mouth as pony too sensitive for anything else. Rides beautifully bitless but I know that bitless not allowed

 

[smolmaus]

If its only local level showing they shouldn't be too fussy about bitting, check the schedule and if they are fussy, it usually says something along the lines of which classes should be snaffle etc.

Or have a look at something with a mouthpiece similar to what she likes, but a more traditional look, like this

Nothing on the schedule! There are qualifiers on that day for the big NI show (NIF) but also can't find anything in their published rules about bits, other than no bitless and no running gags. Maybe that's enough to assume anything else goes?

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Showing is definitely more anything goes, though there are traditional bits most use. The only times I see specific requirements for bitting are generally in the novice classes and equitation classes, both are normally snaffle only (any mouthpiece normally ok), but it should be on the schedule if there are set requirements. Most showing people tend to use snaffles, pelhams or doubles. Though I have seen people use wilkies as 'snaffles' before, so it really can be anything goes!

 

[smolmaus]

Excellent! Thank you!

If it turns out they are fussy and she gets eliminated on Sunday I will update the thread for @UKa

 

[rara007]

Showing is fine. Snaffle bridle usually just means 1 rein…!

 

[follysienna]

Just as a heads up, ladies hunter is normally ridden side saddle

 

[I'm Dun]

Just as a heads up, ladies hunter is normally ridden side saddle

Not at loccal level.

 

[follysienna]

Not at loccal level.

My local shows are, however have just seen that the OP is in NI so probably different there to SW England.

 

[I'm Dun]

My local shows are, however have just seen that the OP is in NI so probably different there to SW England.

wow! how do they get entries? I'm thames valley, very horsey area, but entries arent great. There would be zero entries if side saddle was required!

 

[smolmaus]

My local shows are, however have just seen that the OP is in NI so probably different there to SW England.

We have both side saddle and astride in the same class as there never seem to be enough ss entries! Most smaller shows I've seen don't bother with a side saddle class at all tbh, it is usually only on bigger days. But I do love to see it! There was one woman last summer who was the only ss entry, and she was so generous with her time and experience, we came away with a lot of tips and tricks

She didn't go for ladies hunter in the end anyway, but the avacallo was fine for the ones she did do! Friends mare was so much happier in it, got lots of positive comments, and since its her birthday soon I might be on the winderen website to see if I can get her something similar so she can do some dressage!

 

[follysienna]

wow! how do they get entries? I'm thames valley, very horsey area, but entries arent great. There would be zero entries if side saddle was required!

They struggle sadly, but entries are so low across the board. Even in the m&m classes now.