You will find no argument for me for getting rid of the shadbelly. Although, I will say, I used to think helmets looked a bit odd with them, but am now getting quite used to the look especially now that there are nicely colour-coordinated helmets to go with them.
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Coming from hunter-jumper land, I was already used to this look as riders in hunter classics and derbies may wear shadbellies and the HJ helmet rule came first. It seemed weird at first, but I got used to the look.
But agree that thereâs no need for shadbellies in either discipline; however, if we take away both the shad and the top hat there might be considerable resistance as both have a history of being associated with higher-level competition and wearing the shad is definitely a status symbol. Maybe we could go to a system of pins, bars, etc. like the military in order to show rank and status. I think riders in Europe show with pins on their collars, or used to? Now trying to remember if I got a pin with my USDF medal. I know there was one for something I got with CDS.
If weâre re-examining show clothing, please letâs do away with coats altogether. Shads, short coats, the lot: not kind to the warm-weather show crowd (although there have been improvements in the fabrics in the last 15 years).
Helmets are a low-cost-of-use item that reduce the incidence of catastrophic outcomes. You can live and recover from a broken rib; head injuries are for life.
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Actually, I was responding to the use of âas safe as possibleâ in a post by @ BigMama1.
Nobody ever responds to my question as to why, if the FEI is legally or morally expected to make competitions âas safe as possible â, it has not required the cross country jumps to fall apart when a horse collides with them. Doing so would clearly reduce deaths.
Youâre the one who stated that âone death is too manyâ. The FEI and other organizations have consciously decided that 5 to 10 per year are acceptable in eventing. They could reduce the number of deaths snd injuries by mandating collapsible obstacles, but have not.
I approve of the rule requiring helmets. At the same time, I doubt the FEI could be successfully sued for negligence if it permitted riders in top competitions to wear top hats in 5* competitions. Especially if it added to the waiver âHelmets are strongly recommended whenever mounted. The rider expressly assumes liability for risk of injury or death if they choose to not wear a helmetâ.
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When we pay dues to USEF, USDF and the FEI, I assume a significant part of the dues goes to liability insurance, and the insurance is needed for defending against lawsuits. Itâs probably a major reason equestrian sports are so much more expensive in the US than in Europe.
If I am not permitted to wear a shadbelly at FEI level dressage, I will stipulate in my will that I am
buried in one.
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Are you familiar with frangible pin technology? Jump design? Studies have been done, there have been numerous discussions on the eventing forum, and the technology IS implemented. Not ALL fences would be made safer by âfalling apartâ on impact, that greatly depends on the nature of the collision. Itâs not as simple as just making every fence fall apart. Itâs certainly not a perfect remedy - fatalities are still happening, but steps are being taken towards safer XC.
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They have, in their most recent meetings.
In regards to risk management, it has been decided to maintain the proposal to have mandatory frangible technologies at all levels as of January 1, 2021.
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People should still have the right to make their own decisions. Even when it poses a risk of what might happen. We do it every day in so many areas of our everyday life. If they choose to not wear a helmet to compete that is their choice, plain & simple.
It may not be popular with everyone but do we need to control everything?
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I think the choice here is if you want to compete you have to follow their rules.
There are lots of places you can compete and have different rules, so if you do not like these rules you can go there.
But, these rules might allow you to compete some place that is more prestigious, but again, choices. You decide.
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Glad to hear this. I agree with the helmet rule, but I think the frangible pin technology will save more lives, given that almost everyone would voluntarily wear a helmet even if it werenât mandated.
They have a choice, the choice is to not compete.
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It might be a status symbol, but kids on ponies wear them, so I donât associate then with higher-level competition.
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But it does mean youâre doing the classic! Of course, now that they have classics down to 2â maybe not so much prestige.
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I would like to wear a hot pink shadbelly and lime green boots. I am now stamping my little 5-year diva foot that I canât because rules. So, so mean. Rules are just terrible. I should always be allowed to do whatever I want because choice, plain & simple! No-one should control my right to do whatever I want whenever I want!
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Is that actually forbidden? Try it and see what happens.
There are endless threads about what colors going with what colors are allowed in dressage. No, that is not allowed.
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Last time I read the rules (a LONG time ago) it was something like coat of a dark color and white or light colored breeches.
Iâm super conservative in my show attire, what with being a duchess and all, so I stick with a âmidnight blueâ coat and champagne breeches. The midnight blue is darker than navy, barely distinguishable from black.
However, Iâve seen riders show in bright blue jackets, even a bright blue shadbelly, which I would not classify as either âdarkâ or conservative. As far as I know, neither the TD nor the judge batted an eye.
I frankly donât believe that @ sascha really wants to show in a hot pink jacket and lime green boots. Iâm guessing that you could deviate from the traditional colors a fair bit without getting penalized.
Now if you were actually trying to offend, which is a possible interpretation of the hot pink/lime green get up, perhaps you could get yourself eliminated.
I was interested to learn that shadbellies have a history in hunter-jumper land. Do you know how old that history is? I donât remember ever seeing shadbellies in hunter shows back when I was riding hunters (1960s and 1980s), or in jumping. I donât remember hunters wearing tails at all except at hunt balls â do they still wear them to those I wonder?
I recall hunter classes where people wore shads and top hats. It was a long time ago and I donât remember what the classes were. I believe they were pretty elite horses and riders.
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