I feel like around the time the USEF rule changes came out there was a discussion about braids and I feel like it was clarified somewhere that “unnatural decoration” included things like crystal braid bands and even tape. I work at a tack shop and we get this question all the time and now I can’t find any specific reference to either tape or the crystal bands. The rules mention flowers and ribbons but I’m specifically asking about crystal braid bands. (We got some stock in the store and I don’t know what to tell our customers about the rules.)
Never mind!!! After 2 days of searching, the second I posted this, I found the page in the USDF rules with the picture of the illegal crystal bands.
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https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/sAH3nOVD85c/dressage-attire-equipment-booklet
Page 9, roughly in the middle, near the red sentence re red ribbon in tail. You are not crazy - but this is the DRESSAGE rules, not necessarily applicable to other disciplines.
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Thank you!!
Whoever would want crystal bands on their braids? And I do believe tape is ‘passe’, or should be unless you are absolutely brilliant at braiding.
In any discipline is should think it would be distracting to the eye of the beholder, unless your ride is so bad that the eye needs distracting.:uhoh:
Piggybacking on this question: what about braids done with colored yarn? It’s pretty common in hunterland and not usually “extravagant”, or even noticeable unless you’re within 10 feet of the horse. I know of someone last year at a show who had pink yarn in the braids and were told not to do it for the second day of showing as it was against the rules. I have done navy yarn in my braids, and heard not a word. Any guesses on that one? I’ve not used navy for dressage shows since hearing that last year.
Can people have some little fun on occasion?
The crystal bands are quite subtle.
I’ve seen browband more blingy than that.
Even Hunters put some colors in their braids at times.
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Bright pink might be a little too much if it’s not during women’s day, breast cancer day’s or Valentine’s day.
A friend of mine is a professional braider at big shows and she add colors. Subtle when it’s for regular shows, more extravagant when it’s a special day.
OMG, I would love some crystal clips that would work on a French braid. Or at least weaving in a contrasting yarn. Yes, some of us go with the theme song, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!
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I guess it just seems extreme to some people… To each their own, right?
I tend to lean toward the more conservative side as far as bling and decoration go with the caveat that my one guy, who I now know I will never show, enjoys all the prepping and professionalism involved in making him look great.
I bling the crap out of him. Then toss a nose net on top for his comfort 
The dude is 27 this year, did the stallion shows in Europe, jumped GP with a well known jumper in the US, got ruined by an amateur, and has since taught countless people to become better dressage riders. He deserves to look marvelous as all costs - even if it’s just light walking and stretchy trot. <3
Everyone else, I like a more conservative look on.
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Huh. I saw the crystal braid bands on multiple horses at the last recognized show I was at. Same horses that went out with blingy braids the first day were decked out with the same jewels the second day, and I saw one bling-maned horse go through the bit check with no mention of the illegal decoration. I was confused at the time, but figured maybe the rule had changed for this year…
I personally think they draw enough attention that they can accentuate issues (e.g. bobbles in balance, inconsistencies in contact, overbent necks).
@emipou, that’s a pretty fly bonnet – I’ve never seen one made of brocade.
Bit check won’t be looking for illegal attire, just whips, bits, spurs, and under ear bonnets. I think it’s up to the judge to disqualify a competitor and/or notify the TD to talk to the competitor for other illegal attire (large logs, boots on the horse, etc.)
As for tape, I used it for years on a seal brown gelding that was 90% black and it looked really nice to me. If you apply the tape an even distance from the crest no matter the length of the braid, it can help even out the look of the braids if some are bigger than others. Tape is traditional if out of style, so I don’t look down on anyone using it. Crystal decoration, on the other hand, has been expressly not allowed in the rule book.
I think those crystal bands are actually kind of cute, and there’s also (alas) a picture of royal blue yarn in braids shown as prohibited. Oh well.
That said, I just love that we have this new separate document for equipment, tidy and self-contained, with pictures, including DO NOT pictures. The world gets a little smarter every year. So thanks to whoever it was who made this happen.
If you see someone with crystal braid bands, you might give them a friendly suggestion to look up the rule or call USEF since it was not caught at this show. What can happen is an elimination at a future show. It did happen with glitter on a horse that was not noticed by the judge during the test and a competitor who placed below the glitter horse, brought it to the attention to the TD and show manager who then eliminated the horse at a championship.
I know it’s not meant to identify illegal attire, but I have before seen riders given warnings during the bit check about attire that might violate rules. I figured at the time that if the ring steward didn’t offer a word to the wise and two judges didn’t intervene, I must have been mistaken about illegality.
@AZ TD , now that I know they’re illegal I’ll try to point anyone I see with those crystal bands to the rulebook. At the time I figured I must have been mistaken because there were a couple different horses who showed the whole weekend with that bling. I’m not usually worried enough about other riders’ attire to check the rules – only my own!
Nope. The rule says “Conservative colored bands or yarn may be used to secure braids.” In the example of things that are forbidden, the is a grey horse braided with royal blue yarn.
I don’t quite understand the line that is drawn. Jewels in the mane are prohibited, yet they are ok on the new bits with removable crystals on it. Blingy saddles, spurs, stirrups - it is hard to know where the line is anymore.
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Nope. The rule says “Conservative colored bands or yarn may be used to secure braids.” In the example of things that are forbidden, the is a grey horse braided with royal blue yarn.
UNQUOTE
where does it say this specifically. The usef rules only say braiding is permitted, it says nothing about the color of the yarn
DR121.7…
Any decoration of the horse with extravagant items, such as ribbons or flowers, etc. in the mane, tail, etc., is strictly forbidden. (Exception: A red ribbon in a horse’s tail is permitted to identify a horse that kicks). Braiding of the horse’s mane and tail, however, is permitted. False tails are permitted and if used may not contain any metal parts. BOD 11/13/17 Effective 12/1/17
https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/sAH3nOVD85c/dressage-attire-equipment-booklet
Page 17 gives some pictures of the illegal items with a little more text describing what they mean.
I had not known of the new pamphlet. Seems to me blue yarn in a black mane would be acceptable. I think yarn colors is splitting hairs too finely.
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