White rubber reins - legal?

[Lusoluv]

I’m new to eventing. Just finished my 2nd (unrecognized) event and am having a blast. My dressage reins are black leather with White, super soft rubber portions. My jumping bridle is chocolate with Nunn Finer leather & white rubber reins. Looks sharp on my black bay mare.

My friend warned me I’d better not use either of these reins if we go to a recognized event later this season. I would get DQ’d with these. Is this true? I looked over the USEF Equipment & Attire rules online and didn’t see anything. Am I blind and not seeing an obvious rule about either white or rubber reins? I’d hate to have to buy 2 new pairs of black & brown reins to show recognized, but guess if I have to…

[pacific_jumper]

I wouldnt use them for dressage, but they are perfectly legal for the jumping portions

[Lusoluv]

pacific_jumper: You “wouldn’t use them for dressage”, for personal preference reasons or because they aren’t legal?

[CindyCRNA]

[QUOTE=Lusoluv;8668931]
pacific_jumper: You “wouldn’t use them for dressage”, for personal preference reasons or because they aren’t legal?[/QUOTE]

Hummmm…good question . But honestly, “subdued” is the main thing in dressage. Here at this site, she does not address white reins but says black or brown:http://sustainabledressage.net/tack/bridle.php#reins

[Romahorse]

Shoot Sharon Gallagher sharon@useventing.com an email with your question.

[WNT]

Unless your hands do. not. move. while you are in dressage, white rubber reins would be worse than white gloves for magnifying any excess movement on your part or your horse’s. I’d stick with a solid colored rein for dressage; you will be able to find the exact Nunn Finer reins in solid brown or black.

[Lusoluv]

I purposely got the white grip reins to make me (and my trainers) very aware of my hands. I’m a glutton for punishment and also wear beige or white gloves. The reins also highlight whether I have a straight line from bit to elbow!

So far we have won our division, which is why I’m planning to enter rated shows going forward. Just want to be rule compliant. I’ll email S. Gallagher for an answer.

[Highflyer]

[QUOTE=CindyCRNA;8668940]
Hummmm…good question . But honestly, “subdued” is the main thing in dressage. Here at this site, she does not address white reins but says black or brown:http://sustainabledressage.net/tack/bridle.php#reins[/QUOTE]

There are no rules about rein color in eventing. You can use brown, black, white, or even rainbow.

[Lusoluv]

Thanks Highflyer! I do have a pair of black leather reins (not rubber) if I get the last minute heebie-jeebies

[Janet]

[QUOTE=Romahorse;8669039]
Shoot Sharon Gallagher sharon@useventing.com an email with your question.[/QUOTE]
I just want to clarify that rules are the responsibility of USEF, NOT USEA. You should check with someone at USEF.

But I am a TD, and I do not see any problem with white reins, if that is what you want to use.

[Synthesis]

Rule for EC
The Bridle must be made of leather, with the exception of the
reins, which may be synthetic or leather with rubber covers, and
must be black or brown.

Rule for USEF
USEF Eventing rules don’t address rein material or color at all in dressage or XC/Jumping

[Lusoluv]

I rec’d confirmation today from the USEF Director of Eventing, Chairman of the USEF Eventing Committee and the USEA Director of Competitions, that the reins in question are indeed legal for all phases.

[Saskatoonian]

Giggling that with all of the bling in the D ring these days white rubber on reins is too much.

Have fun and welcome to the dark side, OP!

[Lusoluv]

Thanks Saskatoonian. In my older age I’m trying to stress less and have more fun. Reliving childhood dreams in the dark side!!!

[UnlacedDreams]

[QUOTE=Saskatoonian;8671064]
Giggling that with all of the bling in the D ring these days white rubber on reins is too much.

Have fun and welcome to the dark side, OP![/QUOTE]

Speaking of “too much”: when I finally decided that I wanted to compete, I was reading through USEF/USEA attire rules and saw that the rules for breeches are “white or light colored”. Of course that implies tan, cream, or light grey in most people’s minds. I immediately turned to my trainer and asked “So light purple is good, right?”

She gave me a death glare.