Plaited reins were the height of fashion back in the 1970s. I still have one from a pair that broke years and years ago, it’s now a really nice dog leash.
French Fry, I’m sorry that you feel that way. I’m sure I must have pushed your buttons on CoTH many times. I have a lot of respect for you as a long-time, knowledgeable poster. I also give you credit for the way you gracefully backtracked in this thread. And you’re right: no one can really say with accuracy that “no one will notice” X or Y about turnout. However, my own pet peeve is the way people advise others to slavishly follow trends when the rules allow latitude and judges have repeatedly said that as long as the exhibitor’s turnout is neat and legal, they don’t care about such things. I’m not saying that’s what you did in this thread, but I have seen that kind of advice on CoTH.
After all, being noticed for looking a little different is not the same thing as being criticized for it. Right?
Well the whole point of the back-and-forth on fashion vs. personal preference is the USEF rule that was posted on page 1, which states:
Judges may penalize contestants who do not conform.
I love plaited reins and would totally use them if I had a horse to show in hunters. They feel so much better in my hand (at least a pair of decent quality).
[QUOTE=Blugal;7878391]
Well the whole point of the back-and-forth on fashion vs. personal preference is the USEF rule that was posted on page 1, which states:[/QUOTE]
Judges may penalize contestants who do not conform.
That is the section that keeps you from wearing your neon orange jacket with your lime green breeches, :lol: 
and is not about rein preference.
For clarity, they mean, “conform to the rules,” (as written above) not “look exactly like every other competitor.”
Hang on, I’m not going to be able to wear my neon orange jacket with my lime green breeches? THEN I’M NOT PLAYING. :lol:
I used braided reins all the time when I did the hunters and equitation. They’re so much easier to hold onto, at least for me, and I think they look nicer.
They are a pain to clean, but I love the appearance.
[QUOTE=Ibex;7879165]
Hang on, I’m not going to be able to wear my neon orange jacket with my lime green breeches? THEN I’M NOT PLAYING. :lol:[/QUOTE]
Oh, don’t worry, neon orange jackets and lime green breeches are all the rage in Canada! 
:lol:
See, all the winners are doing it:
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag65/night_flight1/Mobile%20Uploads/LimeBreeches_zpsacc93951.jpg
Just make sure that you always pair your neon orange jacket with a brown helmet, otherwise you will get laughed out of the ring.
:winkgrin:
Plaited rains are beautifully supple, infinitely grippier than laced, and look lovely to boot! I have them on both my hunter and dressage bridles and get compliments from everyone about them!
I think the ones on my hunter bridle are Nunn Finer and they were supple right off the bat, are a bit narrower than the no name buckle ended ones on my dressage bridle, and have hook stud bit ends (which were actually surprisingly hard to find!)
On my pelham both reins are narrow flat leather reins. I dislike any added bulk when using double reins. Snaffle rein is slightly wider than curb but both are smooth and plain.
[QUOTE=vxf111;7875479]
How do you feel about plaited reins? Those are a little old skool but not illegal if they’re 100% leather.[/QUOTE]
I love plaited reins. They are a pain to clean, but I think they’re so pretty.
I’ve always loved the plaited reins as well. My only caveat is that you absolutely must get good ones, because I’ve found that some of the cheaper ones just don’t oil up as nicely and aren’t as supple, almost ouchy to use. This could be a caveat for anything, I guess, but it somehow seems more obvious to me with plaited reins than other items.
I’ve got a zillion pairs of mid-range laced reins that are fine, but the plaited ones I tend to go for the really good ones.
[QUOTE=Night Flight;7879367]
See, all the winners are doing it:
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag65/night_flight1/Mobile%20Uploads/LimeBreeches_zpsacc93951.jpg
Just make sure that you always pair your neon orange jacket with a brown helmet, otherwise you will get laughed out of the ring.
:winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
I swear I just saw similar garments in a Ralph Lauren store in their “equestrian” (with air quotes) type stuff. They also had Wintec saddles with the stirrup leathers on backwards for atmosphere/decoration. I was itching to go around and fix all the stirrup leathers in the store.
[QUOTE=Night Flight;7879367]
See, all the winners are doing it:
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag65/night_flight1/Mobile%20Uploads/LimeBreeches_zpsacc93951.jpg
Just make sure that you always pair your neon orange jacket with a brown helmet, otherwise you will get laughed out of the ring.
:winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
I call PHOTOSHOPPED. The horse was obviously an Appaloosa before.
