I don’t have my rule book handy. Does anyone know if it is specifically against the rules to hold onto your grab strap in a USDF competition?
Reason I am asking is because a judge at a show apparently told someone she could hold onto her strap through the test. 
If it’s not illegal, I imagine that a lot of riders who are struggling with sitting trot could probably improve their scores by holding on. 
I thought there was a rule against touching the saddle, maybe one of the rule guru’s can find it.
Nothing against it in the rules, AFAIK.
Some judges might consider it in the “Rider” score.
You can do it.
Expect your collective marks to suffer.
If a judge is telling someone they need to “hold on!”, something is really wrong.
Learn to ride, don’t use a friggin strap.
There are no longer any usdf shows, only usef ones.
I don’t see where the grab strap is allowed in the Tack rules for dressage. In fact they could be disallowed by DR121-6. http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2008/08-DR.pdf
DR117 says that “riding with both hands is obligatory” except in freestyle and leaving the ring.
No touching the horse.
A lot of people using the strap know how to ride. The strap aids a rider in many ways not just to “hold on”! I use it to steady my hands occasionally since I tend to move them and I need them very still for my 4 year old. Some upper level riders use them for starting pirouettes and other movements. Some times I do use it to learn sitting trot or if my horse is spooky on the show grounds. There is really nothing wrong with it at all. I assume the judge was telling the rider to use her strap as an aid to help her riding. Mine will be on my saddle at DAD! :yes:
[QUOTE=Jagged;3502195]
If a judge is telling someone they need to “hold on!”, something is really wrong.
Learn to ride, don’t use a friggin strap.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=LD1129;3502220]
A lot of people using the strap know how to ride. The strap aids a rider in many ways not just to “hold on”! I use it to steady my hands occasionally since I tend to move them and I need them very still for my 4 year old. Some upper level riders use them for starting pirouettes and other movements. Some times I do use it to learn sitting trot or if my horse is spooky on the show grounds. There is really nothing wrong with it at all. I assume the judge was telling the rider to use her strap as an aid to help her riding. Mine will be on my saddle at DAD! :yes:[/QUOTE]
Well then shouldn’t you perfect your insteady hands on youngster at home before taking her to a competition? You’ll get points off either way. And you can always take spooky horse to competitions to school and de-spook. Competitions are for competing, not making excuses for why you need to hold onto something.
“You see, Mr. Judge, I do need these draw reins to keep my horses face in, because I have unsteady hands and my horse is green!” :lol:
I do not keep my hand on it all the time I am talking about occasionally to steady the hand quietly maybe just in a warm up. We cant all be perfect riders all the time :rolleyes:
[QUOTE=Jagged;3502226]
Well then shouldn’t you perfect your insteady hands on youngster at home before taking her to a competition? You’ll get points off either way. And you can always take spooky horse to competitions to school and de-spook. Competitions are for competing, not making excuses for why you need to hold onto something.
“You see, Mr. Judge, I do need these draw reins to keep my horses face in, because I have unsteady hands and my horse is green!” :lol:[/QUOTE]
Well, bless your heart. 
[QUOTE=SillyHorse;3502327]
Well, bless your heart. :)[/QUOTE]
Just playin devils advocate… :lol:
I suppose a grab strap COULD be considered a “gadget”. You would want to check with the TD or judge in advance.
DR117 says that “riding with both hands is obligatory” except in freestyle and leaving the ring.
No touching the horse.
But DR117 is mostly going to affect the “rider” score.
I think it is quite likely that my hand touches the horse’s neck in the free walk, but I have never had a comment on it.
We have grab straps on all of our saddles for training and I wouldn’t be against a rider having one on their saddle at starting levels.
While Jagged makes this statement: “And you can always take spooky horse to competitions to school and de-spook.” What a ridiculous comment. It’s as though horses that are a little spooky and nervous just POOF stop after being taken to some shows. For some horses it takes a lot longer. And there are MANY top horses that apparantely didn’t subscribe to Jagged’s theory - who took a long time to calm down at shows and there are a lot of write ups by their riders/trainrs attesting to this fact. Even at the highest levels there are some horses who aren’t 100% calm in some venues.
And quite frankly if a grab strap can keep a rider from coming off if a horse has a big spook and loses a few points - it’s a hell of a lot better than coming off - which eliminates the rider.
No it doesn’t. But it probably costs you a LOT of points.
f. In the case of a fall of horse and/or rider the competitor will not be eliminated. He will
be penalized by the effect of the fall on the execution of the movement being performed
and also in the Collective Marks.
I have one on my saddle that never comes off…show or otherwise. You can barely even see it (especially since I have a dark colored horse). I can’t imagine it being penalized as a gadget or anything like that. Of course I don’t canter by the judge holding it with one hand and both reins in the other either :winkgrin:
Whether legal or not, I would consider the use of a grab strap, unless in an extreme circumstance, such as a bucking fit, or an extreme spook, to be a little tacky. To require one in order to sit the trot indicates that the rider is riding a test above their competence.
Ditto for steadying their hands.
However, for the special olympics, I wouldn’t raise an eyebrow.
This was my laugh for the morning :lol: There are many many top level riders who have a grab strap on their saddles. I remember reading an article by (I think) George Williams in which he made the comment that he has a grab strap on his saddle. Anyone who has brought youngsters along knows that the “unexpected” can and does happen and that a grab strap can keep a rider from coming off. The last thing you want is to have a spook turn into a wreck because the rider comes off.
But for all the riders perfect enough to never need one, congratulations :rolleyes:
I have a grab strap on my saddle. My horse had a huge extended trot and many a time I was glad to have it! It’s very helpful.
I recently put one on mine and I’m really glad I did.
I’d rather instinctively pull leather than unintentionally hurt my horse’s mouth if she should spook or worse.
Eileen
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