recently learned that figure 8 nosebands with rings are not legal for dressage… i had no idea, despite competing in one all year. i really don’t like the sliders, but i don’t really like flashes either… oh well. i understand the rule says the noseband must be all leather, ok fine. but micklem bridles have been approved, and those have rings, so why can’t we use figure 8s with rings? anyone know? anyone found a slide style figure 8 they don’t hate?
Who told you figure eights with rings are illegal? I don’t have my laptop to access the rulebook but I don’t think that is true. Any caves on has metal on it.
I wonder where you heard it too. I’ve always understood them to be legal. The rulebook doesn’t mention rings on a figure 8, and the picture isn’t all that enlightening, but the picture of the dropped noseband very clearly shows rings, so conceptually it makes no sense that they’d be illegal on a figure 8.
I’ll be curious to hear what others think.
PS. as for sliders, why don’t you like them? I very much prefer them, because they’re so much more adjustable. I do buckle the straps after unbridling though, so they don’t get lost.
Whoever told you that is wrong, figure eights with or without rings are completely legal and widely used.
I would definitely check the rule book. I don’t ever trust someone just telling me something is illegal. At my last HT, one of the bit/whip check volunteers started to tell me that my bridle (Micklem) and bit (Herm Sprenger WH Ultra) she thought were illegal. Luckily, the other volunteer knew that the Micklem was definitely legal and I was able to show that the WH Ultra is the bit specifically pictured in the rule book as the only bit allowed with any type of roller piece (Page 79 - bit #16). 
Always have a copy of the rules handy, even if just on your phone!
I just read the rulebook: It does say that nosebands must be made entirely of leather, except for a small piece of fleece or felt (as in under the buttons of a crossed noseband). However, nosebands have buckles made of metal, and I fail to see how a ring would be any different than that hardware. I hope that Janet weighs in.
Well I competed for years with a figure 8…so unless the rule is new, they are legal. Most crank nose bands have rings…and those are legal.
Just as with anything, you can’t make it so tight as to cause harm.
I compete in one, too; never had a problem. It’s not a new rule–same as it’s always been. I’ve just never interpreted it that way before.
I compete with one too with no issues. Who told you they weren’t allowed?
a friend who’d been told by a TD friend mentioned it in conversation. any TDs out there to weigh in?
But dropped nosebands have a ring for attachment, it’s the same principle as the rings on a figure 8. For that matter there are rings on the Micklem too and they’re allowed.
The rule is intended to prevent the use of rope or chain across the nose or sensitive areas of the face. There’s no pressure on the face or nose under those rings, they’re just attachment points. There has to be SOME hardware on it after all.
Not a TD, but EV115.2.c states:
A snaffle bit made of metal, leather, rubber or plastic material is permitted for all tests.
- It may have a cavesson noseband, dropped noseband, crossed noseband, or flash noseband.
- The noseband must be made entirely of leather or leather like material, except for a small disc of sheepskin, which may be used in the intersection of the two leather straps of a crossed noseband.
So by that rule, figure-8s (ie, “crossed”) nosebands are explicitly permitted. I’d also read #2 to mean that the noseband material must be all leather with only sheepskin attached to it, but something like a tack or chain noseband would be prohibited. Rings as attachments of the noseband to the bridle don’t seem to fall under that description to me.
[QUOTE=saje;7810416]
But dropped nosebands have a ring for attachment, it’s the same principle as the rings on a figure 8. For that matter there are rings on the Micklem too and they’re allowed.
The rule is intended to prevent the use of rope or chain across the nose or sensitive areas of the face. There’s no pressure on the face or nose under those rings, they’re just attachment points. There has to be SOME hardware on it after all.[/QUOTE]
certainly makes sense to me! just don’t want to get caught somewhere with no other option and have a TD tell me i can’t use it…
