Dressage tape or not? Forelock braid or not? Help!

[system]

I will be attending my first dressage show in ten years next weekend and need some advice in the braiding department. I will be showing a young stallion with a fabulous neck and I used to be a professional braider so I have no worries there.

I’ve heard people say white tape is “so yesterday” or only used for the “higher level” horses now. I’ve also heard that leaving the forelock unbraided is “so yesterday” too.

We used to always braid with tape way back when and leave the forelock unbraided, especially on a stallion. I do understand about personal preference, etc. but, in 2008, is white tape a thing of the past? Is an unbraided forelock a thing of the past? Since this stallion will be promoted, I want any photos, etc. to look current and “in style”. :yes:

[pintopiaffe]

Forelock unbraided is the traditional signal for “stallion” much the same way a yellow ribbon in the tail is in other venues. I never braid a stallion’s forelock. The tradition is not upheld consistently any more, but, it is [I]tradition.

[/I]I can’t really speak to the tape. I still think on a fabulous neck, which is steady, it accentuates it and that is only a good thing. (especially for photos) I haven’t been to any big rated shows in long enough though to say whether it is still ‘done’ or not.

[KBG_Eventer]

I basically agree with what pintopiaffe said except that I personally do not like the looks of tape except on certain horses. I do not see it much anymore either. That does not mean that if you like it you should not do it though.

[XTAC]

As others have stated, an unbraided forelock is traditionally reserved for stallions. Personally, I think that white tape looks very dated and would not advice using it.

[Whitfield_Farm_Hanov]

If I remember correctly Ashley Holzer had Pop Art braided in tape while he was winning all the big FL GP this year & making another team for Canada. I remember seeing him in COTH wearing his tape & looking great! I say use it if you want to. Personally I wish it’d come back full force. Love the look.

[Jagged]

no tape, braid the forelock.

[Farnfield_Dressage]

I think tape looks lovely when done right and no forelock braid- traditional for stallion. The judges are looking at the HORSE AND RIDER- and as long as everything is neat, tidy and accentuates the overall picture, they will not be nit picky. Just go with your gut and have fun! good luck

[_Freedom]

From a judges point of view. Do whatever makes this horse stand out within the rules.

I personally have always like the white tape on a rich chestnut, dark bay or black horse if the tape is done so it is even and neat. No judge should mark a horse down because the horse is presented in a way that meets the rules but not “in fashion”.

[Ames]

do what you want I have a buckskin with frosting in his mane - I have taped before, and sometimes I don’t - depends on my mood. However I don’t braid his forelock - he just looks like a complete ninny with it braided so I always leave it down.

[Riva]

I agree - do what you want. I have a gelding that I use big fat braids on with no tape and I never braid forelocks anymore on any of my horses. I like the look.

Like Freedom said, they aren’t going to mark you down because you are or aren’t in fashion.

[spmoonie]

Leave the forelock unbraided. I think it depends on your horse for the tape. I would go for it though! It will showoff his neck. Not to steal your thread or anything, but would it look out of place to leave a gelding’s forelock unbraided?

[ideayoda]

Braid the forelock too (nice tail kind of braid from the very top). The entire thing of not braiding a forelock came from one stallion would was very impossible to braid, and then everyone copied him (because he won some classes). Imho it looks unfinished to not do it.

[LD1129]

[QUOTE=Jagged;3309052]
no tape, braid the forelock.[/QUOTE]

I agree :yes::yes::yes: