Never mind! was: Did I dream this discussion? "Unnatural decoration" in mane rule

[MysticOakRanch]

@dotneko

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.

I SO agree! Either make it clear, the yarn must be the same color as the horse’s hair (black for black, brown for brown, gray for gray, etc), or just allow all freaking yarn. Where does one draw the line? Shall we go with the HSV Color Chart (which no one actually understands anyway!)? And tape is allowed, but not if it has decorations? Or is tape not allowed anymore? Plain colored braid binders OK, but pink isn’t?

USEF makes it too complicated…

[JenEM]

@scruffy the cat

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.

It seems odd to me that the specification is buried in a supplemental pamphlet, not in the actual rulebook. And as others have said, where is the line–is navy OK in a black mane, but not in a chestnut one?

If nothing else, it’s so much easier on me to take them out when I can more easily see the yarn. We’re already working with a forelock braid removal issue from the other weekend :eek::lol:

[Belowthesalt]

@JenEM

It seems odd to me that the specification is buried in a supplemental pamphlet, not in the actual rulebook. And as others have said, where is the line–is navy OK in a black mane, but not in a chestnut one?

If nothing else, it’s so much easier on me to take them out when I can more easily see the yarn. We’re already working with a forelock braid removal issue from the other weekend :eek::lol:

Hmmmm… I’ve always used either reddish-brown on my chestnut’s mane, or white, and I suppose the white is regarded as “conservative,” though it probably stands out more than a darker color - like blue - would. Whatevs. I gave up on braiding the forelock at all - not much there (Appy) and hard to do. That’s when I went to an ear bonnet so I don’t have to braid it. LOL

[Graymaresrule]

I wonder if metalic silver perle cotton would be OK in a white/gray mane
http://www.michaels.com/dmc-light-effects-floss-precious-metals/10201912.html?cm_mmc=PLASearch--google--MICH_National_PLA_Shopping_Null_Null_All+Products_RLSA-_-All-Products-RLSA&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvezZBRDkARIsADKQyPkiBcpp3pS-TkQTLzz1a35QYmv2k4j004hB-L-5Sxf2JELjWzRRu3YaAqnvEALw_wcB

[scruffy_the_cat]

From reading the rules it looks like they are pretty anti-glitter/shimmer in the mane or anywhere on the body. Doesn’t really make sense since, as Dot said, they are fine with bling everywhere else, but whatever. I’d hate to be the one who dropped $$$$$$ on a show just to get pulled by a crabby TD.

[atr]

I think it’s pretty safe to assume that humans and tack are allowed spangles, but horses aren’t.

[MysticOakRanch]

@scruffy the cat

From reading the rules it looks like they are pretty anti-glitter/shimmer in the mane or anywhere on the body. Doesn’t really make sense since, as Dot said, they are fine with bling everywhere else, but whatever. I’d hate to be the one who dropped $$$$$$ on a show just to get pulled by a crabby TD.

And it does happen. I had a TD tell me I couldn’t wear my vest because it was not solid colored. The stitching was slightly lighter colored then the vest - which was solid colored. She was what I call a “crabby TD”. I asked a knowledgeable Senior TD at a subsequent show, and she said that was ridiculous, my vest was compliant.

I do recommend everyone who shows knows the rules, at least the rules for dress and equipment! That way, IF you do get questioned by a TD, show management, etc, you can at least have an intelligent conversation. Years ago, I had a competitor try to get me eliminated (so her horse would get first place) at a breed show. I knew the rules, and was able to go fight my case in the show office. They ended up getting a decision from the USEF, and I kept my First Place. That same competitor did the same thing to another person later that weekend, and got them disqualified. Ugh.

[scruffy_the_cat]

@MysticOakRanch

And it does happen. I had a TD tell me I couldn’t wear my vest because it was not solid colored. The stitching was slightly lighter colored then the vest - which was solid colored. She was what I call a “crabby TD”. I asked a knowledgeable Senior TD at a subsequent show, and she said that was ridiculous, my vest was compliant.

I do recommend everyone who shows knows the rules, at least the rules for dress and equipment! That way, IF you do get questioned by a TD, show management, etc, you can at least have an intelligent conversation. Years ago, I had a competitor try to get me eliminated (so her horse would get first place) at a breed show. I knew the rules, and was able to go fight my case in the show office. They ended up getting a decision from the USEF, and I kept my First Place. That same competitor did the same thing to another person later that weekend, and got them disqualified. Ugh.

To that end, there now is an EXTREMELY handy USEF Rulebook App available. It’s important to know the rules going into a competition but in the heat of moment or if you have a horrible memory (like me) it’s awfully helpful to be able to do a quick search on an app on your phone to pull up the rule.