Hi everyone,
I am interested in a dressage saddle that is black and brown. It was explained to me that I would only be able to show up to a certain level then I would start being penalized for not having all brown or all black tack. I was unaware of this rule, can someone please explain and at what level would this rule apply.
Thanks!
The USEF makes the rules, not the USDF.
Rule DR 121 deals with Saddlery and Equipment, and there are no rules dealing with color of tack, only style and materials.
International Level Riders Tina Konyot and Heather Blitz have shown at the top levels with brown saddles and black bridles without issue. Brown and black mixed should be fine. I think the issue might come up if you used the overly colorful saddles and bridles in blue or red that some saddle companies make as special edition models - but they are a rarity and think more for fun.
I have Brown dressage saddle with two different shades of browns and it has black billet straps and black stirrup leathers and then I use black Bridle; no worries at PSG level regional shows.
Before the early 80’s dressage tack was usually brown. Styles change. As long as it’s not distracting from your ride.
OP now you know who in your life you should tune out or double check when they give you the gift of their knowledge.
the USEF rule book is stunningly specific. it is a good Dressage 101 reference and worth understanding
Hoopoe, love your blog and photos of Washington!
Thanks everyone for the info!
[QUOTE=cnm161;7786113]
Nobody told Heather Blitz that.[/QUOTE]
“Legal” but IMO the brown saddle with the black & white bridle looks, well… tacky and amateurish. Ditto those braids. Sorry.
[QUOTE=rcloisonne;7787852]
“Legal” but IMO the brown saddle with the black & white bridle looks, well… tacky and amateurish. Ditto those braids. Sorry.[/QUOTE]
I understood the OP to be asking whether or not mixing brown and black tack would be penalized at the shows, not whether or not it offended the omnipresent fashion police. As Heather’s successes (and Michelle Gibson’s, etc.) suggests, using a brown saddle and black bridle does not seem to affect competitiveness (although I did, long ago, scribe for one judge who talked as though she would have loved to ding riders who failed to adjust their hat brims, etc., as she thought
best-- which, personally, I found rather “tacky” and small-minded in that judge.)
One additional question, aren’t there different rules for FEI? At a CDI?
Not that it would be an issue for me personally :lol:
[QUOTE=rcloisonne;7787852]
“Legal” but IMO the brown saddle with the black & white bridle looks, well… tacky and amateurish. Ditto those braids. Sorry.[/QUOTE]
I doubt if you’d been watching the performance that you would have even noticed the saddle was brown. People do it all the time.
I think she looks tidy and well put together. Everything is clean and fits well.
[QUOTE=rcloisonne;7787852]
“Legal” but IMO the brown saddle with the black & white bridle looks, well… tacky and amateurish. Ditto those braids. Sorry.[/QUOTE]
Personally, I’m amazed you can even see them from up there on your high horse! :lol:
[QUOTE=Heinz 57;7788769]
Personally, I’m amazed you can even see them from up there on your high horse! :lol:[/QUOTE]
Apparently nobody but the resident DQ’s can have an opinion. Sheesh!
And FWIW, the OP’s question was regarding a saddle that was two tone, black & brown. I’ve seen a few of these and think they’re very classy. The ones I’ve seen were high end AP types, not dressage saddles. But before I get flamed again I am aware dressage saddles aren’t required at the lower levels. If the saddle IS two tone, either a black or brown bridle would look appropriate - as always, IMO.
Disagree if you must but to me a brown saddle with a black bridle looks as “off” as wearing brown wingtips with a black tux.
[QUOTE=rcloisonne;7787852]
“Legal” but IMO the brown saddle with the black & white bridle looks, well… tacky and amateurish. Ditto those braids. Sorry.[/QUOTE]
Hahahahahah “amateurish” :lol::lol:
Guess what? Dressage is a RIDING competition. Not “tack show”. Personally, I like the look of a few number of button braids.
Reminds me of a girl at my barn. Man, such nice tack! Beautiful custom saddle, stunning bridle. Always admired it when I would see her tack up and lead her horse to the mounting block - we never really ride at the same time though.
Imagine my surprise when I recently discovered she can’t quite canter a full circle.
I mean, what kind of fool doesn’t know that pretty tack and tiny braids should be a top priority?
[QUOTE=rcloisonne;7788919]
Apparently nobody but the resident DQ’s can have an opinion. Sheesh!
And FWIW, the OP’s question was regarding a saddle that was two tone, black & brown. I’ve seen a few of these and think they’re very classy. The ones I’ve seen were high end AP types, not dressage saddles. But before I get flamed again I am aware dressage saddles aren’t required at the lower levels. If the saddle IS two tone, either a black or brown bridle would look appropriate - as always, IMO.
Disagree if you must but to me a brown saddle with a black bridle looks as “off” as wearing brown wingtips with a black tux.[/QUOTE]
I hope you’re not referring to me as a “resident DQ”. I’m an eventer, if I had to “be” something. Right now I’m more of a ride-around-my-field’er, usually in a bareback pad since I’m completely without a dressage saddle right now and my body can’t DO dressage in a CC on this horse. I didn’t even know who that rider was that was pictured.
Since you admit you understood what was being asked, I simply do not understand why you choose to add that snooty, judgmental and completely irrelevant tidbit. Clearly the OP is someone new to dressage or at least dressage shows, way to present a non-superficial, welcoming front - sending the message that one must have exactly matched tack and hire a professional braider (one that does small braids!) so the armchair DQ’s don’t snicker and point at your tacky, amateurish turnout at shows! :lol:
I will admit that I think it is a more polished looking to have a saddle and bridle match in color, but I’ve seen Heather ride a couple of times in person and my only memory was of a very tactful, harmonious ride.
Couldn’t tell you what her tack looked like - I was so blown away by her riding and her mare Arabella, the tack didn’t even make an impression on me.
As a dressage judge,I would rather see a harmonious ride with tack of mixed shades of brown and black than a person who bounces on the most gorgeous black saddle while hanging on the reins of her black bridle with patent leather noseband and a browband with more bling than the Crown Jewels
Makes sense to me that the neophyte would be the one with shiney, new, all-matching tack, all recently purchased for her one, probably first, new horse, while those who’ve been riding lots of horses for eons would be more likely to select for each horse from a wide variety of tack already accumulated over time, with fit and functionality taking precedence over fashion-- which does, after all, tend to change much more quickly than good tack wears out!
rcloisonne–“dressage” saddles aren’t required at ANY level. So to say that “dressage saddles aren’t required at the lower levels” is somewhat misleading.
The USEF rules only specify an English saddle.
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