Teen in barn has changed to pelham on new horse. Asked my opinion on converter instead of adding curb rein. I said add rein. Are converters ok in hunter classes (non rated) now? Not in the show “loop” anymore and trends do change so I thought to check with peeps who are in the know 
Thx
Not in the show loop anymore either, but would hope it would be considered unconventional tack. You see Pelham converters in the jumpers and with event horses, I have never seen one in the hunters or eq.
A converter essentially turns a Pelham into a Kimberwicke, I have never
quite understood the point, unless of course the rider wants to advertise that they’re not capable of riding with two reins.
It may depend on your area and the circuit.
[QUOTE=McGurk;7726307]
A converter essentially turns a Pelham into a Kimberwicke, I have never
quite understood the point, unless of course the rider wants to advertise that they’re not capable of riding with two reins.[/QUOTE]
This.
Why use a pelham and not use two reins?
Thanks !
[QUOTE=Trees4U;7726221]
Teen in barn has changed to pelham on new horse. Asked my opinion on converter instead of adding curb rein. I said add rein. Are converters ok in hunter classes (non rated) now? Not in the show “loop” anymore and trends do change so I thought to check with peeps who are in the know 
Thx[/QUOTE]
I’ve seen many horses win and show with pelham converters at local h/j shows in hunters and eq’s. I think converters are becoming much more “conventional” because less people know how to actually ride with two reins. I’ve seen it mostly on younger kids/pre-teens.
It depends on the show and the judge, it MIGHT be okay at a nonrated show. Absolutely not at any level of rated show. A teenager can and should learn how to handle two reins.
I saw a child, on a pony, riding in a Pelham with converters yesterday. This is the first time I have ever seen converters on a hunter, and it was at a large A show. I too think converters defeat the purpose of a Pelham, however I do understand their use in eventing where riders have to slip their reins over certain xc obstacles.
I would be ok with in a local show in the walk trot or crossrails, but otherwise, unconventional tack
Around here in the hunters, little kids use converters, and anyone who wants to be considered more grown-up than a little kid uses two reins.
In jumperland, well, I see lots of riders of all ages riding with converters.
It is a lot easier to find certain mouth pieces in a pelham than a kimberwick and I don’t think I have seen anyone knocked down as unconventional maybe at times knocked down the same they would if they were using a kimberwick on a horse/pony in beginner classes (indicating horse/pony may not actually be suitable). I know how to ride with two reins, but I hate it. Doesn’t bother me, I would rather see a horse/pony behaving with the bit than in something softer and the rider having to pull harder, if a converter works best then I am not going to complain.
Around here, kids on ponies go in pelhams with converters. Older kids/teens are expected to learn to ride with two reins and I’ve seen older riders using converters get pinned below a slightly sloppier round ridden by someone in a dee.
That said, I’ve seen people using dee ring bits with hooks and the reins in the hooks, and those seem to be considered conventional as long as you don’t use a curb strap with them, which seems a bit weird to me. In fact, I’ve witness a less pin-worthy round ridden in a dee with hooks place above an older teen (17ish) in a pelham with converters and a smoother round.
Ugh I guess everyone has things that bother them, but the D’s with hooks I dislike, I have how they look (I also am just not a myler fan in general) I guess I don’t like the idea that they “hide” you are using them (although you can see perfectly well that they are) and if I am going to use a leverage bit I am going to use one I like
[QUOTE=OnDeck;7726642]
It depends on the show and the judge, it MIGHT be okay at a nonrated show. Absolutely not at any level of rated show. A teenager can and should learn how to handle two reins.[/QUOTE]
I’ve sat with many well known R judges over the years and most consider converters “unconventional tack”. I think it also takes away from the whole look as well. It just isn’t that hard to ride with two reins. Not sure what has happened to proper horsemanship over the years. 
If a kid is experienced enough to show over fences and compete at an A circuit show, then the trainer needs to take the time to show them how to ride with two reins!
[QUOTE=McGurk;7726307]
A converter essentially turns a Pelham into a Kimberwicke, I have never
quite understood the point, unless of course the rider wants to advertise that they’re not capable of riding with two reins.[/QUOTE]
Some people think they are useful.
[QUOTE=whbar158;7726980]
I know how to ride with two reins, but I hate it. Doesn’t bother me, I would rather see a horse/pony behaving with the bit than in something softer and the rider having to pull harder, if a converter works best then I am not going to complain.[/QUOTE]
this is why I dont like to see converters. Using a pelham appropriately means you get to ride off your snaffle rein and use your curb rein as needed. If you put a converter on, essentially your horse is never going to get any relief from the curb pressure. I’d like the option of being able to loosen my curb rein when my horse is being really good and just ride off the snaffle rein until my horse shows me he needs it. Then I add curb rein to check them in line and when I get the response I want, I loosen the curb pressure.
Its what I was always taught, it makes the most sense imho.
[QUOTE=Daventry;7727113]
I’ve sat with many well known R judges over the years and most consider converters “unconventional tack”. I think it also takes away from the whole look as well. It just isn’t that hard to ride with two reins. Not sure what has happened to proper horsemanship over the years. If a kid is experienced enough to show over fences and compete at an A circuit show, then the trainer needs to take the time to show them how to ride with two reins! ;)[/QUOTE]
^^^^ agree. Way back when (early 80s), one of our lesson schoolies went in a Pelham. He was the trainers old hunt horse and not a particularly difficult ride. Kids learned to ride with 2 reins.
The converter totally changes the purpose of the Pelham. If you are out of garters, learn to ride with 2 reins or find a different bit.
Thje very first lesson I had as an 8yo was with a Pelham and two reins!
[QUOTE=copper1;7727245]
Thje very first lesson I had as an 8yo was with a Pelham and two reins![/QUOTE]
right? We were taught what the bit / reins actually DID. The camp my dd went to this summer taught them, as well so I’m not lamenting “back in the day”. Teach students to ride and not take short cuts (Ill spare al my PP snark).
Okay, so is there going to be a massive letter-writing campaign to Mclain from the COTHers who feel that if you use a converter, you can’t ride with 2 reins properly?
:lol:
For hunters and eq, sure, unconventional tack, but I don’t think I’d generalize so quickly that anyone who uses a converter must not know how to ride with 2 reins or must be lazy and taking a short cut.
Each rein has a different purpose. Combining them seems like it would be a total disaster. How can you have proper contact like that? I can’t imagine getting anything out of that but a head tosser.
The first time I rode with a Pelham I was 7, it took a few lessons to get the hang of them, but I never expected to learn anything overnight and I definitely never expected things to be made easier for me.
