Here is a question for all the hunter divas out there. Are 2 ring snaffles acceptable to use in the hunter ring? I normally ride in jumpers in a three ring, which he loves and goes very well In, but want to go in some hunter and eq classes to get him some more miles. however, he is still young and can get a little too revved up for just a loose ring snaffle when jumping in a new locale. I’m trying to figure out what other options I have.
There are no illegal bits in hunters, but there are bits that are considered unconventional…and a two ring would be one that you most likely would get marked down for.
I would stick with something in a D-ring, full cheek, a pelham or maybe an eggbutt (although I personally would not use an eggbutt at a show)
I’d suggest a Pelham
That’s what I thought. Thanks.
I use a loose ring for dressage so I can use that but in a new environment, I’d much prefer to be able to use our usual bit. I know it’s a pointless complaint, but it seems to me that my 3ring or 2ring is a gentler bit than a curb bit, like a Pelham. I think my horse would really resent a curb chain.
I would not use a loose ring in the hunters, even for a schooling show. I believe in showing up to the party, dressed for the occasion. It’s about the details. When I venture into another discipline when I am going to be judged, I try to present myself properly. A loose ring isn’t “improper” but it isn’t conventional. Try to find something that would work that looks the part.
A 2 ring will get you no score for sure.
[QUOTE=PoohLP;7344415]
Here is a question for all the hunter divas out there. Are 2 ring snaffles acceptable to use in the hunter ring? I normally ride in jumpers in a three ring, which he loves and goes very well In, but want to go in some hunter and eq classes to get him some more miles. however, he is still young and can get a little too revved up for just a loose ring snaffle when jumping in a new locale. I’m trying to figure out what other options I have.[/QUOTE]
Hunter judges won’t use a horse wearing a two (or 3) ring but you have lots of options besides a loose ring or a pelham.
Dee ring snaffles are the most commonly seen bit in the hunter ring but you might find that a full cheek with keepers gives you much the same feel as your two ring. And lots and lots and lots of hunters go in ported snaffles, often quite well.
What is unconventional about a normal loose ring? I understand about a bit with leverage, like a 2 or 3 ring, but don’t see why a judge would mark down for a loose ring snaffle. I have used a loose ring in a hunter ring before and placed 2nd in a field of 10 in the hack.
I don’t think id like to use a ported snaffle. I started in a western d, but when I shifted him to a hunter dee with the same mouth piece, he didn’t like it at all - same with an eggbutt. I haven’t tried a full cheek yet. 
[QUOTE=PoohLP;7345935]
What is unconventional about a normal loose ring? I understand about a bit with leverage, like a 2 or 3 ring, but don’t see why a judge would mark down for a loose ring snaffle. I have used a loose ring in a hunter ring before and placed 2nd in a field of 10 in the hack.
I don’t think id like to use a ported snaffle. I started in a western d, but when I shifted him to a hunter dee with the same mouth piece, he didn’t like it at all - same with an eggbutt. I haven’t tried a full cheek yet. :([/QUOTE]
Loose rings aren’t out of bounds, just not considered fashionable for a hunter.
Personally I would try the full cheek.
There’s a definite difference between “unfashionable” and “unconventional.” Two or three rings, gags, kimberwickes are unconventional. Loose rings, eggbutts, full bridles are unfashionable. No judge worth his/her salt should mark down unfashionable, and it is, in fact, not mandatory to mark down unconventional- that’s at the judge’s discretion.
Back when I was showing (and dinosaurs walked the earth), loose rings and egg butts ruled. First year greens often sported full cheeks. And you wouldn’t even consider showing in a Dee ring- much too “racetrack.” Then again, you wouldn’t be caught dead in the ring wearing a saddle pad or fleece girth cover, hunters wore flat, unembellished , tack. And black field boots had not been invented yet…
[QUOTE=Lucassb;7345943]
Loose rings aren’t out of bounds, just not considered fashionable for a hunter.
Personally I would try the full cheek.[/QUOTE]
Loose rings seem to be making a come back, while I never see full cheeks anymore. Took bad, I LOVE a full cheek bit for a horse that needs a little lift.
Honestly, I don’t think any decent judge would mark you off for using a loose ring, especially if you’re just showing at the local level or small A’s. I kind of doubt they’d even notice.
edit: look through Pony Finals pictures and you’ll see some full cheeks. IMO they’re still more fashionable than loose rings.
[QUOTE=caughtintheact;7346219]
edit: look through Pony Finals pictures and you’ll see some full cheeks. IMO they’re still more fashionable than loose rings.[/QUOTE]
Ponies play by different rules it seems. You also see a lot of paints, buckskins, and peacock stirrups. Not exactly common place in horsey hunters.
Even a judge who is both blind and incompetent should not mark you down for a completely legal bit of equipment, no matter the level of the show.
Imagine the outcry if a judge started marking down for tight standing martingales, or pelhams, or green coats, or obese horses. You just cannot penalize a competitor who is using legal equipment.
Wear what your horse goes best in for now, if it’s legal. As for full cheek vs D ring- who cares. My mare was 6 out of 30 at Devon in a full cheek. Maybe she would have won if she had a D (sarcasm).
OP, don’t stress as much about your bit as concentrate on a good ride. You have all the time in the world to think about bits if you choose to continue to show.
Relax and have a good show.
Could you not use the pelham either without the curb chain, or with a very loose wrapped and cushioned chain (this would be my choice)? I know it’s not correct without a curb chain, but chances are it wouldn’t be noticed, especially if you took the hooks off so they wouldn’t jingle, and it likely would give you a similar feel to a two ring snaffle. A D-ring with rein and cheek hooks might be another possibility.
[QUOTE=RugBug;7345252]
I would not use a loose ring in the hunters, even for a schooling show. I believe in showing up to the party, dressed for the occasion. It’s about the details. When I venture into another discipline when I am going to be judged, I try to present myself properly. A loose ring isn’t “improper” but it isn’t conventional. Try to find something that would work that looks the part.[/QUOTE]
Absolutely nothing unconventional or improper about a loose ring on a hunter. It is a perfectly acceptable bit. High fashion? Probably not, but if you’re going to be concerned about a loose ring vs. Dee and how it will affect your horse’s placing, then you’re probably worried about the wrong things.
If you think your horse would resent a curb chain on a pelham, you might try a leather curb strap. My jumper goes in a two-ring bit, and I’ve had success with a pelham with a loose leather curb strap on the rare occasions when we cross over to the eq ring.
I agree with others, no two ring for hunters.
RE the full cheek, I have seen several pictures of horses in the USHJA derbies in full cheeks, I feel like they’re making a bit of a come back. I seem to recall seeing a few in some of the COTH on line photo galleries.
I don’t recall loose rings being a “stylish” bit for hunters in the time I’ve been involved (since about 1985 or so). In the 80s/ early 90s I primarily recall full cheeks and the smaller racing dees, then starting in late 90s/ early 2000 predominantly the big hunter dee. JMO, but the straight part of a big hunter dee is so long I feel like it has some of the benefits of a full cheek.
My approach to the hunters has always been to do whatever I can to walk into the ring looking like a winner, and like it or not, all the details of turnout contribute to the judge’s initial impression. It’s not that choosing a “fashionable” bit over something unusual is going to trump the necessity of finding eight jumps on a good moving, good jumping horse, but rather just stacking the deck in one’s favor.
If you chip the first jump or miss a lead change, it really isn’t going to matter what you or the horse are wearing. But if there are two very similar trips and the judge is choosing the one to put on top, then it’s going to come down to their subjective opinion about which one they liked better. A part of that is the impression they get when you enter the ring. That means a polished horse, clean, conservative tack, and a rider wearing well tailored appropriate attire. Showing up dressed for the party - note, not necessarily in the latest $$$ fashions - tells the judge that you understand the expectation, and are prepared to execute the course; in other words, you are telegraphing to the judge, “Hey, watch me… I’m your winner!”
