I love plaited reins and much prefer them to laced.
[QUOTE=french fry;7876322]
Just to throw this one out there, could you do plain leather or laced leather reins and get grippy gloves?
At least in my area the adult eq is very fashion-y so you might look a little out of place with plaited reins (not sure if you care or not! some people do…)[/QUOTE]
Pfft. No one will notice, and if they do, you’ll start a trend.
Plaited reins are more expensive to make and they’re also slightly more vulnerable to breakage. But otherwise, they’re extremely awesome - comfortable and very functional. I remember when I was a child that the barn owner had a pair and I always coveted being able to afford such nice reins myself (until I could).
I have to say, my biggest COTH pet peeve is blithe, blanket assurances that nonconformist tack/apparel options in the trend-driven disciplines (hunters, eq) will definitely go unnoticed and unremarked upon. Just because you feel that it shouldn’t be a big deal doesn’t necessarily mean that the OP won’t stand out.
Many (most?) hunter/eq peeps can tell the brand and model of your saddle when you’re on course - I know I can, and I don’t even care about fashion (I’ve just tried out a bunch of saddles.) People are definitely going to notice plaited reins, whether or not they care - or, more importantly, whether or not you care if they care. 
I’m a weenie adult ammie who would rather not stick out and they make great tacky gloves, hence my suggestion. If the OP’s a trendsetter more power to her!
(No offense meant to you, poltroon. I am very supportive of people who don’t care about obsessively adhering to the latest trends.)
OP, again, is Canadian. So show ring trends may well be different there than in your local area. She is a big girl, I presume she can decide herself how much conformity is necessary. 
[QUOTE=vxf111;7876470]
OP, again, is Canadian. So show ring trends may well be different there than in your local area. She is a big girl, I presume she can decide herself how much conformity is necessary. ;)[/QUOTE]
Seriously? I don’t understand the attitude. I’m sorry I missed your earlier post about how the OP is Canadian, although to my knowledge there is not a plaited rein trend going on in the adult eq up there, either.
The OP is asking questions about what’s acceptable so I inferred that the division is new to her and threw out a different perspective that takes into account that everyone else may be using laced reins. I didn’t realize that was a crime.
[QUOTE=french fry;7876480]
Seriously? I don’t understand the attitude. The OP is asking questions about what’s acceptable so I inferred that the division is new to her and threw out a different perspective that takes into account that everyone else may be using laced reins. I didn’t realize that was a crime.[/QUOTE]
No attitude intended, honestly.
The OP asked “what are my options in all leather because the rules say I need leather reins.”
She got people quoting her the (non applicable) USEF rules to her.
Now she’s getting people telling her she’ll look out of place. People who… don’t show in Canada. How would you know what looks out of place on her circuit if you don’t show there and have never shown there? For all we know, plaited reins are common and/or popular there.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with letting someone know that their choice may be unusual… but that requires knowing what IS usual where the poster shows. Since none of those giving rules/fashion advice are Canadian-- it’s not terribly helpful information.
And, FWIW (and as evidence that there are regional variations) I saw plaited reins on a few bridles at HITS Culpepper. You don’t see them where I show in PA/NJ. So clearly their use is at least somewhat regional.
OP didn’t ONCE ask for rules advice or fashion advice. She asked what the options were and then she asked how certain reins were to hold/how slippery they were. She didn’t ask to be schooled on inapplicable USEF rules or told she’s look out of place if she showed on various US circuits. I don’t really see how the fashion advice is what she asked for or helpful?!
Hey Ibex, just FYI the “all-leather” rule came to someone’s attention in eventing dressage… and we got it changed!
ARTICLE D115 SADDLERY
2.3
Definition of Permitted Bridles (clarification May 1, 2013)
A snaffle bridle which the bit is made of metal, leather, rubber or synthetic material is permitted in divisions defined in Art D115.2.2. The Bridle must be made of leather, with the exception of the reins, which may be synthetic or leather with rubber covers, and must be black or brown.
I’m just thinking it’s funny how hunters are so about tradition that the leather bridles must be exactly as they were 50 years ago… while you’re wearing wrap-collar shirts, modern tech fabric and colour jackets, gloves, etc.
[QUOTE=Ibex;7875846]
Questions:
Do you mean these:
http://www.vtosaddlery.com/product/LACEREIN/ADTSLR.htm
or these?
http://www.doversaddlery.com/circuit-raised-laced-reins/p/X1-030081/[/QUOTE]
the first
the second is what I call double lace
If the number of plaited reins equal or exceed the number of laced reins in any H/J show ring in the US or Canada I will eat my hat. Honestly. C’mon now.
But, you’re right. I misread the OP, taking “acceptable” to mean “accepted” instead of simply “allowed.” The OP did not ask a fashion question so please disregard my thoughts on the matter.
WHOA. Didn’t mean to start a debate LOL. As an FYI, VXF actually knows me outside of COTH, hence why she can jump on this with a bit stronger knowledge of what will work.
And while I do agree “fitting in” counts, I’m more concerned about hanging onto the reins - doesn’t matter how trendy you are if they slide out of your hand! I had plates and screws holding everything in place after dislocating two metacarpals (index and middle fingers), and I need help with the grip. And will be adding the stickiest gloves I can find to the mix! It’s still a relatively recent injury, and it keeps getting better/stronger, but it will take a long time to be 100%.
I also need to go with a breastplate instead of a martingale, so we’ll be toeing the trend line in all other matters. I couldn’t tell you what the trends are here to be honest - this is my first foray into Eq, and we’ll be sticking with the local rated (bronze, and if it goes well, a small local gold show I love) for at least this year, so I suspect there’s a bit more leeway as long as it’s within the rules.
I’m definitely going to try and get my hands on some of those plaited reins to try…
What would have been helpful was to know that she was talking about Canada, since this is a US based board, with a majority of US based posters. And those of us who know our (USEF) rules went “Um, wtf is she talking about?” The more natural assumption is that OP had been told something unpopular was “illegal” the way people come on here left and right asking if such-and-so bit is “legal” for hunters because Betty Barnmate said loose rings weren’t legal for hunters.
If it’s for a medical reason, you may be able to get special permission to use rubber or rubber lined reins. I’m sure there is a free headache included with the process :lol:. But if the plaited reins aren’t helpful it could be another option.
[QUOTE=DoubleTwistedWire;7876720]
What would have been helpful was to know that she was talking about Canada, since this is a US based board, with a majority of US based posters. And those of us who know our (USEF) rules went “Um, wtf is she talking about?” The more natural assumption is that OP had been told something unpopular was “illegal” the way people come on here left and right asking if such-and-so bit is “legal” for hunters because Betty Barnmate said loose rings weren’t legal for hunters.[/QUOTE]
Yeesh. God forbid I live in Canada.
And for the record, I’d ASSumed the rules were the same in both countries. If anything, we tend to be more flexible up here.
Just piping in to say I am another plaited rein lover!
I find them very grippy - I school XC in mine - wet, sweaty, pulling horse - I find that these reins give me some of the best grip.
[QUOTE=Ibex;7876763]
And for the record, I’d ASSumed the rules were the same in both countries. If anything, we tend to be more flexible up here.[/QUOTE]
For hunterland I actually find that the Canadian rules are more strict, which is better IMO because they tell you what is legal and what is illegal, unlike the USEF rules, which are full of mentions of the judge penalizing you for unspecified unconventional tack at their discretion.
I have ridden using plaited reins (granted - a very long time ago, and not my bridle). They become quite soft with use and can get too soft.
The downside to plaited reins is that they are a pain to clean. A consideration, if you clean your own tack and/or don’t keep a separate pair for competition.
[QUOTE=french fry;7876322]
Just to throw this one out there, could you do plain leather or laced leather reins and get grippy gloves?[/QUOTE]
The grippy gloves sound like a good idea as long as they’re within the rules in Canada.
When I judge, I don’t care if the reins are plain or laced or plaited. I care if they are being used effectively to communicate with the horse. 
[QUOTE=french fry;7876453]
I have to say, my biggest COTH pet peeve is blithe, blanket assurances that nonconformist tack/apparel options in the trend-driven disciplines (hunters, eq) will definitely go unnoticed and unremarked upon. Just because you feel that it shouldn’t be a big deal doesn’t necessarily mean that the OP won’t stand out.
Many (most?) hunter/eq peeps can tell the brand and model of your saddle when you’re on course - I know I can, and I don’t even care about fashion (I’ve just tried out a bunch of saddles.) People are definitely going to notice plaited reins, whether or not they care - or, more importantly, whether or not you care if they care.
I’m a weenie adult ammie who would rather not stick out and they make great tacky gloves, hence my suggestion. If the OP’s a trendsetter more power to her!
(No offense meant to you, poltroon. I am very supportive of people who don’t care about obsessively adhering to the latest trends.)[/QUOTE]
Perhaps I should rephrase. No judge will care and it will not affect your score in any way. After that, it’s all up to the look that makes you feel happy and comfortable. It doesn’t matter to me why you like the look of your equipment - whether it’s because it’s what most other people are using or because you think it looks smashing with your hair or whatever.
MY COTH pet peeve, , is the blithe, blanket assurance that if you use equipment that is a tiny bit different from anyone else, that you might as well not even show.
My feeling is, people can decide for themselves what look they want. It is the one thing about equipment that is easy to tell from a picture or in the store.
Can we agree to disagree?
Another plaited reins lover here. I have a much loved pair that I like as much as a good pair of rubber. If I can get them back from the friend who borrowed them many moons ago, I may opt to use them on my hunter bridle instead of the laced reins that came with it. I hate laced, particularly this pair (the laces will NOT soften up!).
I love plaited reins. One tip–be sure not to over-oil them. Don’t dunk them in oil and leave them, etc, or really lay on the oil to the plaited section. If you do, they will be supersoft but they will also be slippery in the rain (water and oil don’t mix!). If you break the in with light oil and time, they will still get soft but won’t be as slick.
