Schockemohle Equitus Alpha

[Roni4444]

[QUOTE=Amordoro;n10228114]
First an update - I did eventually get an email from USEF saying the following:

"The Schockemoehle Equitus Alpha bridle is currently still not permitted under USEF Dressage Rules. A Rule change proposal to has been submitted to USEF regarding this bridle, and this will be available for membership review during the week of October 1[SUP]st [/SUP]. However, it’s just that – a Rule change proposal for consideration by membership - Committees, Councils, etc. and has not been approved or disapproved at this time…

“In October, Rule changes submitted become available online for review and comment. After a review period, Committees of USEF and then Councils will review and comment the Rule changes before they are sent to the BOD for consideration. If approved, this rule would go into effect for the 2020 competition year as our standard rule change system is a full competition year out (effective date Dec. 1, 2019).”

Just wondering if there is an update or where I can check on this? Thanks

[Amordoro]

Here are all the proposed rule changes for USEF; you can sort by Dressage:
https://www.usef.org/compete/resourc…s/rule-changes

Here is a proposed rule change that would eliminate the language that makes this bridle and others like it illegal:
https://prc.usef.org/documents/ruleC…als/206-18.pdf

Here is a rule change proposed by Schockemoehle and aimed at the Equitus Alpha specifically, and if passed, would take effect for the 2020 competition season:
https://prc.usef.org/documents/ruleC…als/115-18.pdf

USEF is recommending disapproval of this last rule because “An equipment for manufacturers process is already in place for this request.” This is a process that allows manufacturers to submit specific items for review under the rules (see https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/AbDx…guidelines-for). The Schockemoehle rep made this request back in March, and according to the procedures, a decision will be communicated to her by Jan 1, and if the bridle is determined to be in compliance without the need for a rule change, a photo of it will be posted with this information, presumably in Annex A of the rules for equipment, probably in February.

I have been been using it all year without issue - but at the Region 1 championships last weekend, competitors using the bridle (including me) were told we’d be eliminated if we went into the ring with it. My understanding (mostly second hand though) is that it was a recurring issue and that there were quite a few riders using the bride (more than 5), and that most had bought it from vendors who believed it was legal.

[jmbaumgardner]

Thanks for posting the update! I was waiting to buy it and this is helpful news!

[outerbanks77]

Oh cool, this clarifies that I can use my PS Sweden without the throatlatch! I interpreted the rule last year that I could (and coach told me the same), but TD disagreed and I had to disrupt my warmup (on a very tense horse) to put on the throatlatch, which looks dumb and is generally useless with the way it is attached.

[HorseBuff]

@Amordoro

Just to close the loop, the bridle is now legal. DR121 was modified effective 12/1/2018 to eliminate the language that caused it to be illegal (about the attachment of the noseband to the bit or cheek piece below the level of the browband).

Also, Annex A of the rules & refs was modified effective Feb 1 and now explicitly lists the Equitus Alpha and identifies it as legal for USEF and FEI use:
https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/96D17lSsaCo/annex---bits-saddlery-equipment

The Equitus Zeta, which I had not heard of but which seems to be lined with fleece, is not legal.

Thank you for updating. They don’t mention the Delta which is the same as the Alpha but doesn’t include the flash.