Bring the proof with you. A copy.
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I’m another person wondering if maybe the solution is to simplify the bit rules. I looked up Annex A when the thread started and wow. I can see why experienced volunteers and S judges aren’t even sure what is legal anymore. Plus, after the Baucher blow-up, I have even less confidence that the rules are logical or internally consistent (cuz, ya know, a non-leverage bit with a longer “lever” is still…wait for it…a non-leverage bit). Comparing rules for USEF dressage vs USEF eventing dressage vs FEI dressage is always a head-scratcher too.
In the end, the harshness of a bit has more to do with the rider’s hands than the design of the bit anyway. If a rider has soft hands and the horse is properly educated, I doubt many of the prohibited bits are problematic. And on the flip side, a heavy-handed rider can do plenty of damage with a simple loose ring snaffle. Since acceptance of the bit is a judging criterion, I’m not sure that harsher bits convey an automatic advantage anyway.
Maybe instead of increasingly complicated bit rules, the responsibility should rest with the judges to ding or ring out riders whose use of the bit is not in keeping with the principles of dressage or is abusive?
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A suggestion: if they’re offered within reasonable driving distance, do a ride-a-test or ride-review-ride clinic or three. The feedback from them is usually individualized to your horse, and there’s time to speak with the clinician. It doesn’t matter whether you want to show or not.
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More and more dressage riders are doing just that now - send your bit pictures ( make them very clear) ask for a ruling, then carry the USEF response with you to competition. There have been multiple instances now where a rider was eliminated at a show, then showed the letter from USEF, got their scores back.
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I miss the days when the judge was allowed to speak briefly with the rider after the end of a test.
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All of this is just making me think that someone needs to take the suggestion up thread of taking the bit to be inspected at check-in, and some sort of tape applied, would be good - though problematic with a loose ring snaffle, because it might block the rotation of the ring. And yes, I believe that even a very sensitive horse could learn to tolerate it. Maybe put tape in each side, so it’s even?
Lola’s trainer warned me about the French link rule when I started hunting for bits to try on her. It’s too bad, because I think she might like the flat plate in her little crowded mouth. The full cheek is good but now I’m hunting for one with a double jointed “bean” and a fairly thin mouthpiece. Argh.
I don’t think it’s prohibited. I have seen it recently.
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Have you looked at the NS turtletop? Legal. “Bean” is rather flat on bottom and softly rounded on top.
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I’m trying to avoid the $$$$ bits for now. Biggest issue with Lola is that she’s a chomper. Got her teeth done in November, so not a tooth issue. She’s a bit high strung so it doesn’t surprise me that she chomps.
". A member of
the Jury may not discuss a ride with a competitor before the bell or after the final salute. "
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thx. guess im mistaken…After a series of unfortunate events, the judge told me " you know that will be expensive" at the end of the test … , the canter HP change HP… horse started passing manure in the first HP. Fell out of canter, didnt get the FC, no canter after either… yeah, like 4 scores of 2 in a row… )
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I found this bit at @fagerbitsusa.com.
It is a sweet iron w/ a copper? center bean, small joints, full cheek snaffle bit, and I seem to remember that the mouthpiece is 12mm thick.
Fager John Sweet Iron Full Cheek snaffle, widths from 105 mm to 145mm.
I no longer buy expensive bits from other bit companies. My hands have some nerve problems and the horses do not cuss me out as much when a Fager bit is in their mouth (though the Fager titanium line is even better, IMO, but it costs more.)
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I’ve had lots of horses like this el-cheapo bit:
https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/JP_Curve_Korsteel_Oval_Link_Eggbutt_Snaffle_Bit/descpage-KOEBN.html
Stainless so it shouldn’t be too damaged by the chomping. Eggbutt to not jingle/encourage the chomping.
As my anecdote of 1 - my old man has ALWAYS messed with and chomped bits, particularly when standing around. He is the most chill, relaxed dude on earth. I think he thinks it’s fun. Any metallurgy, any shape, any mouthpiece, any cheekpiece. Doesn’t matter. Chomps.
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For the win!
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I’ve only seen it at schooling shows.
And materiale classes. They usually give you some comments after judging the group. But materiale isn’t a test.
And it can get really obnoxious…I have been at shows where the judge practically gives a lesson and next thing you know the class is running 20 minutes behind. I had to bring this up to management at a show…the competitors who were warming up and missing their time when the judge felt the need to show off her trainer skills were the ones suffering.
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A friend who trailer in to the show this weekend told me that the TD came by her trailer and inspected bits. So the TDs ARE going around to check trailers as well as going around to check bits in the show stabling, and this is in addition to the post-test random bit checks that have been going on for sometime.
However, the TD visited the trailer as my friends were packing up to go home. They’d both already ridden two tests, had gotten their scores, and picked up scores and ribbons. They showed the TD the bridles they had ridden in.
We have no idea what would have happened at that point if TD found an bit illegal, or how TD could confirm that bit really was what horse showed in. 
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You know, the more I read on some of the rules y’all have to follow in the dressage world especially higher levels, the happier I am that I am only going back to fun shows or local saddle club shows.
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Just read that for the jumpers there is a Tack app which gets updated monthly so that riders know what is allowed. They seem to complain about this….
After I read why they complain ( they think their horses have problems with all this switching of what is allowed and what is not) I am very happy because I am very conservative and use antique bits…. Most are only broken once. So my horses can chew on their familiar bits all their life.
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