Bridle numbers go by the wayside

[DiamondJubilee]

For CDE’s we have always needed our own number holders and we put them on our harness, and when driving pairs, always on the outside. When we enter a hazard on marathon day, I always yell out my number to the hazard judges just before we enter the gates so they can write it down on their sheets. For dressage, I have never yelled it out but we have gate people and they are aware on when to send us to the ring just before our test, so they know our number ahead of time We also have a number on the carriage but at speed, its hard to see (even with numbers on the outside ponies and one on the back of the carriage). But it has always been like this so I can see if some eventing shows have always offered numbers, and now they are not, its a change for sure!

We have purchased these number holders that would work on a bridle, halter or harness. Not sure if they would work for eventers? And here is a picture of it in use on our harness so you can see the size
https://www.drivingessentials.com/product_description.php?ID=51520");

When we show at Bromont CDE, they want a number displayed at all times, so even on a halter if you take them out of a stall. So they give us numbers that can easily be moved from halter, to bridle (for vet check) to harness. This way we are always identified. They also give a navigaor a pinny, but we have to wear vests over our farm shirts anyway, so I never mind wearing a pinny.

[leighbo009]

@NeedsAdvil

I think pinneys for warm up would be nice, but would also be great if you could still use a bridle number and opt to dump your pinney at the in gate!

That would be an awesome compromise! Wonder if they would consider it.

I’m not going to be one to complain about it out loud, but in the back of my head, I’m thinking I will be less likely to buy some show photos with a penny on - especially dressage photos. The penny (at least the one I have) isn’t very elegant. Maybe the photo vendors could push for this option for dressage? I don’t know

[fivestrideline]

As far as pics go, I agree that a pinney is U-G-L-Y, but works for XC with the dirt bike athletic style. I wouldn’t be thrilled to have to wear it all the time, especially if the PTB are going to require certain attire underneath. Unless they commit 100% to the athletic-wear vibe and use XC uniform rules for all phases .

I wonder if H/J style back numbers would be a compromise- they can go on the pad or on the back, and IMO are far less obtrusive. Maybe because I grew up in the hunters, but back numbers don’t ruin pictures for me like a pinney would.

[Larksmom]

as a jump judge, sometimes it is difficult to even see the Pinney, let alone the bridle number. I count a lot on the other jump judges, X is clear over X jump.

[enjoytheride]

If we have to wear Pinnys in dressage can we wear a T shirt and not braid?

[dmveventer]

Also a former hunter and would also much prefer this option instead of the pinny! Seems like everyone wins. The pinny is necessary for making numbers readable x-country so I accept it even though I kind of hate mine, but they’d be overkill for dressage.

I also agree with everyone else saying that ultimately it’s on the rider to make sure they’re in the right place at the right time and to make sure the judge and scribe have your number. The volunteers are there to help but a little self-awareness and initiative goes a long way.

[tagsalong]

I think the back numbers would be great, but one of the call outs from the facebook post was that the horse show not providing bridle numbers cuts down on $$ for organizers. If riders brought their own back number (similar to the reusable bridle numbers), maybe it would work?

[JenJ]

which side to put the bridle number … if the dressage test says track right at C, put the number on left side of bridle, if the test says track left, the number goes on the right side of bridle, so the judge has a clear view of the number as we track right or left.

I think that was ingrained into my brain 20 years ago

[enjoytheride]

I was never taught that. I was taught to ride up to the booth and tell the judge my number.

[Salty]

Beautiful pictures and such a cool sport! I watched a combined driving competition and was impressed by how everyone shouted out their numbers at each hazard.

[MsRidiculous]

You don’t have to braid… once the seasonals leave Ocala you see a lot of unbraided horses at the smaller recognized shows in the off season (mine included, because he is a $h!tH3ad to braid ).

[Janet]

@enjoytheride

If we have to wear Pinnys in dressage can we wear a T shirt and not braid?

You don’t have to braid.
You can’t wear a T shirt because it doesn’t have a collar, but you can wear a short sleeved shirt with a collar.

[Janet]

What is “FHP”?

[ghst13]

Florida Horse Park

[Janet]

Thank you.
I was thinking it was Fair Hill until people started mentioning Ocala.

[Pennywell_Bay]

@enjoytheride

If we have to wear Pinnys in dressage can we wear a T shirt and not braid?

You must have forgot to type in sarcasm font, people are taking you seriously…

[Equicentric]

I wonder if anyone knows whether it’s illegal to make one’s own bridle number and submit the horses microchip. I’m fully aware it isn’t required in eventing. Technology exists to put ear tags on cattle that can be scanned. The tags also create a tube of tissue and it’s sent off for genomics testing.

[Highflyer1]

I don’t understand what you’re asking. You can certainly make your own bridle number and you can certainly get your horse microchipped independently of any registry or national foundation.

[MsM]

I dont ride in this discipline, but reading this thread made me wonder about a compromise: Competitors should always have their number in a size a least (whatever) attached to the saddle pad on both sides. The size required can be substantially larger than a bridle number and a loose horse would still have a number attached if saddled. Easier to see but not obtrusive for the rider.

[Salty]

I got someone to catch ride my horse once because I had a conflict, and she was a better rider than I. She put on a stock tie over her T shirt for dressage and no one noticed!