This is turning out to be a great sourse of information. I didn’t know about that “shoulder bra thing” and to be honest, I’ve never tried those stirrups nor the sticky stuff so I don’t really know how effective it was, just from hear say from other girls at the barn. I also LOVE the idea of riding in the flat saddle, those are by far the most comfortable saddles!!! If I could ride in my exercise saddle all the time I would! 
But where do you draw the line? If you say sticky stuff on boots is cheating, what about the boots that have the tackified stretchy panels on the inside? And if those are cheating, what about someone with OLD worn out super sticky vogels vs someone with brand new cheapies? Or stirrups/ reins/ gloves etc… The roeckl gloves are super sticky! Are those “cheating”? What about loop reins? Like someone else said, these are just advancements in technology. And yes, I use spray on my boots, sticky gloves, and snap on handles on my jumper reins. Does this mean I am cheating? No, it just means I am a good shopper, competetive, and want to stay on!
I don’t think that any of the things mentioned here yield enough of a difference in the person’s ride to be considered cheats. I’ve seen riders with sticky stuff on their boots get jumped out of the tack as often as riders without.
And I wear my ShouldersBack proudly, and I don’t care who knows it, because, thanks to conformation and injuries, my shoulders just plain don’t go back without help. When my back’s bothering me, I’ll wear it all through the day, too.
Agreeing about where to draw the line. You can make your saddle tackier with regular old cleaning products. So how do you decide what’s too grippy?
I forgot to mention that if you act now, through this special online offer, that the velcro boot “kit” will be included. It will even work on uncomfortable, extra-hard, orange colored, pancake-style, Hunterdon saddles.
xxxooo
Saddle-tite has been around since at least 1985. I have pictures that prove that while it will keep you saddle stuck to your boot, it will not keep your saddle flap in the right place… the flap will just go with your leg when your horse jumps you out of your tack.
Same here! my ankles go numb AND they hurt my knees… I think I used them for 2 weeks befor I went back to my peacock irons (gotta be safe hehe)
[QUOTE=ThePerfectFit;4485132]
That shoulders back thing by equifit (or any posture-type bra thingy) is another common “cheat” in equitation. Many riders wear it under their show shirts, and you really cant tell the difference between that and a sports bra. I’ve never (and will never) wear one, but thats another “problem” in the eq ring.[/QUOTE]
Now, I’m just curious - I wear a back brace because of scoliosis. It fits around my lower back, with the top edge just below my chest, and has metal staves in it to help keep my back in line. It also puts an arch in my lower back that is not there otherwise because of my spine twisting. If you did not know my circumstances and you saw me putting it on, would you feel I was cheating?
This is a legitimate question, not trying to start anything.
[QUOTE=fourmares;4485328]
Saddle-tite has been around since at least 1985. I have pictures that prove that while it will keep you saddle stuck to your boot, it will not keep your saddle flap in the right place… the flap will just go with your leg when your horse jumps you out of your tack.[/QUOTE]
I’m not sure if you were joking or not, but I used the saddle tite stuff before my first show with my new very scopey horse and I have pictures over an oxer that with my legs slid back and my saddle flaps completely off my horse:lol: But no worries, I’ve gotten better since then;)
Question re: the cheese grater stirrup irons… How harsh are they on your boot soles? Do they mark, or wear them down over time? It’s something I’ve always been curious about.
I don’t get the complaint about the “sticky stuff.” If you live in areas that it gets very cold in the winter, you know how slippery your leather gets on the very cold days. I find that it helps in a big way on those cold days. I don’t use it any other time, butI don’t see the problem with it. THe bendy stirrups I personally hate to ride in, but my trainer, along with a lot of other people I know love them. Especially if the have ankle or knee problems.
Personally I am still awaiting for the majikal saddle to come out that will make me a riding star.
[QUOTE=Seven-up;4485200]
I don’t use the bendy stirrups because of ankle issues, the exact opposite ones that make so many people love them.
My ankles are super flexible, and they go numb with regular fillis stirrups. Bendy stirrups make my heels go down even farther, and it’s intolerable. The bottom of my foot would literally be perpendicular to the ground. I also find them to make my leg more unstable and swingy, like hellerkm does. It gets harder and harder to find plain, normal weight, fillis irons though!
I guess I don’t like the flexi-stirrups because even though I’m naturally flexible, as a kid I still spent sooooo many hours standing on the stairs, stretching out my achilles tendons that I feel like everyone else should have to suffer too.:winkgrin:
Since we’re pining for the good old days, I think that all eq classes should be ridden in flat pancake saddles. Again, since I had to do it…and I didn’t need no stinkin’ saddle tite either!:lol:[/QUOTE]
You mean like my Prix D Nations that I love LOL!!! YUP make those EQ kids ride in those see how far they get !!! Just kidding but I also agree of course by the time you CAN ride in that type of saddle then you don’t NEED saddle tite, your leg is already tight and in place!!!
With competitions you will always have little “cheats” and big cheats. I see nothing wrong w/ helping yourself whether Saddle-Tite (which has been used for years and years) of the new “Half Halt” - doesn’t really matter. Its available for purchase to anyone who wishes. I can’t imagine that it gives a person THAT much more of a competitive edge… maybe gives them more in the confidence department than perfecting a leg position. Meaning if you have a poor leg position - using sticky stuff is not going to make it go from poor to winning position It’s going to help a good position be a tad better; and I did hear of a case where a rider used so much sticky stuff when she posted she came out of the saddle but the pants didn’t:lol: - don’t know if that would help or hurt in an equitation class:lol::lol:
I’m pretty lazy and I have NEVER used that stuff. I know of NO ONE who ever has.
If that’s your definition of cheating then you are Snow White at the horse shows.
Use it all you want. Tricks are tricks not cheating. Use it in public and then work on your seat and leg at home. It could be having the placebo effect. If it makes you feel like your better at the show you may become better.
I know some people who really “cheat” but that’s my definition of cheating and not technically by the rule book.YET.
SUre would like to see lunging outlawed like they got rid of poling with the bamboo sticks. If every one didn’t lunge…how kind it would be for the horses and the grooms;-]
I don’t really care. Frankly, everyone has the same access to it. Though, I’ve never felt a need to use saddle tite.
Jointed stirrups, however, are a godsend. After 6 months of rehab for my knees, I can absolutely feel the difference riding in my MDC’s than riding in a pair of fillis stirrups - and when I’m riding all day, it’s the difference between me walking home and walking the next day and not. Were I riding in an eq class, I’d probably remove the for the class - and switch back as soon as possible.
They don’t help my leg, though. It’s the same as it ever was. They do help my knees.
I find when I use the sticky stuff that it gives my slick tall boots about as much grip as my well-worn half chaps. It is really NOT that big a deal. That being said, I think it is perfectly ok for use in eventing, jumpers, and even the hunters but in eq I think its a little tacky. If you don’t have a solid leg, this stuff isn’t going to help you that much. It’s not going to take a rider with a sloppy leg into the ribbons even. I think it just makes them feel more secure. I know as an eventer, I use it because every little bit helps, especially when its pouring rain outside! 
re: Angled Stirrups - these have been around for at least 20+ years. In fact they were all the rage in the big eq in the early 80s. I used them and they certainly didn’t keep my leg from moving…but as others have mentioned they did give me a lot of relief from the chronic pain of a serious ankle injury.
If the sticky stuff is a ‘cheat’, what about using Show Sheen? The argument that you simply need to work on your position more could also be made that the horse just needs more elbow grease.
Veering a bit OT: If using something like Saddle Tite was responsible for some big eq wins, don’t you think there would be a LOT more advertising for the product? Heck, why pay for the Big Eq horse, when all you need is a $20 can of spray?
[QUOTE=supershorty628;4485359]
Now, I’m just curious - I wear a back brace because of scoliosis. It fits around my lower back, with the top edge just below my chest, and has metal staves in it to help keep my back in line. It also puts an arch in my lower back that is not there otherwise because of my spine twisting. If you did not know my circumstances and you saw me putting it on, would you feel I was cheating?
This is a legitimate question, not trying to start anything.[/QUOTE]
I was just wondering how exactly the back brace helps you - not to be snotty or anything, but because I, too, have scoliosis.
