I am curious about the rules (written or unwritten) about top hats, double bridles, shadbellies and the like in Dressage.
Not curious for me so much, as I will probably be in my helmet and Hunter clothes forever, but just for interest’s sake.
Also, spurs and a Dressage whip…if your horse doesn’t need them to keep forward, is it wise to just forget both at lower levels?
Those are a lot of questions in one…
Read the USEF rulebook in dressage, it will cover all you need to know. Its online.
I don’t carry a whip at the lower levels or spurs. Horse doesn’t really need it and so why do it?? We score mid 60’s to 70’s so I don’t think it hurts you so much if you don’t carry it.
Heh, I am asking that one because on my last horse, it wasn’t an option. Spurs, whip, iron seat…not too forward that one. Oh, unless she was near the out gate and you weren’t paying attention :lol:
This horse, I’m not sure I would go so far as to say I am scared to wear spurs on him, or carry a whip…but I am scared to wear spurs on him or carry a whip. I already have to close up considerably on him to get the circle happening, you only really have to THINK “forward” and he’s going. I may pack those up for this season…
Whips and spurs (or proper length) are permitted at 4th and below. Spurs are mandatory at FEI. Whips can’t be carried in championship classes or at FEI.
Whip length is 47.2" in total length max.
As for hats, hunt caps and simple dressage coats (without tails) until you get up to 4th/PSG and “earn the right for tails” as has been said by others…
What else?
[QUOTE=STF;3791601]
Whips and spurs (or proper length) are permitted at 4th and below. Spurs are mandatory at FEI. Whips can’t be carried in championship classes or at FEI.
Whip length is 47.2" in total length max.
As for hats, hunt caps and simple dressage coats (without tails) until you get up to 4th/PSG and “earn the right for tails” as has been said by others…
What else?[/QUOTE]
You can wear a derby at the lower levels, too. Carry over from hunt seat, actually, I believe: “Ladies over eighteen should/may wear derbies.” And I did too - despite feeling that I looked like Malcolm McDowell in Clockwork Orange (or Oliver Hardy?), but that was on my old reliable next to whom you could set off a bomb and he’d never notice. On bebe - hard hat and eventer’s vest - even at dressage shows (though he’s been so good lately, that if he seems calm at his next show, I’ll probably forego the vest - at least for the length of the test. LOL)
I do carry a whip, but a gentle tap is all I’ve ever needed with him and at this stage in his training, spurs are definitely not necessary (Intro/Training).
[QUOTE=rugbygirl;3791563]
This horse, I’m not sure I would go so far as to say I am scared to wear spurs on him, or carry a whip…but I am scared to wear spurs on him or carry a whip. I already have to close up considerably on him to get the circle happening, you only really have to THINK “forward” and he’s going. I may pack those up for this season…[/QUOTE]
Are you talking about Beamer?
The one in my pasture is OK with a whip as long as it’s used judiciously. He has a very finely tuned sense of fairness and protests if he thinks you’re overdoing it. And he’s doubly sensitive to it in the ring, so I’m careful. You don’t get points for crow hops or cow kicks, even if he stays in a nice rhythm.
As far as spurs, don’t even go there. A cowboy dude started him and said Beamer got pissed off if he even HEARD the jingle of his spurs, much less if he touched him with them. Besides, if the horse doesn’t need 'em, why use 'em?
I rarely carry a whip (carry over from when whips were not permitted in eventing dressage).
I wear spur if the horse goes better with than without them. Somewhat surprisingly, my hottest horse goes better with spurs.
I prefer not to carry a whip as my pinto has a deep aversion to them, but now that he’s past thinking he’s going to get beat everytime I carry one I do more often. I notice a definite change with the whip, his attention is more on my whip and he’s much more forward, but it’s nervous energy, not relaxed energy, so I don’t like it.
Are you talking about Beamer?
Hee, not quite yet. As you noticed, he’s still a bit growthy. I don’t think I’ll get him going under saddle until next year.
This is the new one, the former chuckwagon TB.
So what’s the permitted dress code for evening dressage? Gown and high heels? 
“evening dressage”?
I am curious about the rules (written or unwritten) about top hats, double bridles, shadbellies and the like in Dressage.
–Tophat and long coats are not the same as in hunt seat, where they are part of a formal uniform for specific classes. The tophat and long coat is associated with the upper levels of dressage, and is simply not allowed by the rules, at the lower levels. Most people will never show above first or second level, so most dressage riders will never need a long coat or a tophat.
–Regular top hats and shadbellies (long coat) are traditional for the upper levels (Prix St Georges and above). A person is allowed by the rules to wear a short coat at those levels, but I believe that still affects what kind of hat he can wear at those levels. It is very unusual to see anyone use a short coat for the upper levels.
–The double bridle and spurs are required for upper level classes. In some of the upper level classes, whips are allowed. The rules for lower levels changed recently and a rider can now choose between a double and snaffle bridle at third level. I believe a person riding the upper levels can opt to wear a helmet if he wants to.
–At the lower levels, the short coat is worn. There is a short coat that looks like a shadbelly a little in front, but the tails are very short. The style came out a few years ago and I think is officially regarded as a short coat. I don’t think it’s really caught on hugely.
–A few years ago the rules about hats were made much less restrictive. In the USA, crash helmets or black velvet hunt caps are what most people seem to prefer, I think you still see more professionals wearing a bowler at the lower levels. Some people wear the shorter top hat.
Not curious for me so much, as I will probably be in my helmet and Hunter clothes forever, but just for interest’s sake.
Also, spurs and a Dressage whip…if your horse doesn’t need them to keep forward, is it wise to just forget both at lower levels?
–It depends. Many people are reluctant to try to teach an unwilling, upset horse to learn to tolerate a whip or if the horse seems to be upset or frightened by it. I know a great many amateur riders who feel whip and spur are unnecessary, I don’t know a lot of professionals who bring youngsters along up thru all the levels, and have more experience, who would say the same.
–Most of the more experienced trainers will tell you that if you want to really move your horse up and get a really good performance out of him in dressage, he needs to learn to accept and respond to both the whip and the spur properly…not because the rider wants to beat his horse more effectively, but because these tools allow for more complete and communicative training process. Most experienced trainers will tell you these tools are just too indispensable to do without.
–Myself, I can’t imagine ever doing without whip for the youngster, not to beat him, but to teach him to respond to lighter aids, or spur (but the spur is only good after the basic forward has been completely established, I don’t feel spurs in dressage should EVER be used 'to make the horse go forward when he does not want to. I believe it’s for refining the aids, not as a punishment or to do very, very basic schooling as to what ‘leg’ means).
Sticky “t” key.
Probably form spilling something in response to something posted here.
what?
Why my post originally said “evening dressage” instead of “eventing dressage”
At this point, even the most senile among us (me) is finally figuring out this line:
“Sticky “t” key.”
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