Question:

Are Elevator bits legal in the Hunter/Jumper ring?

by Guest10889  |  earlier

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I competed at a show with my horse Nietzsche a couple weeks ago and people were telling me that it was illegal and others that it was legal. Judges had different opinions on the bets. There were 3 judges there and they all said different things. Are they really illegal? Or is it just a preference? I would like to keep riding in it since my horse goes smoothly in it...

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  1. the prefered bits are d rings full cheeks and the occasional pelham but it really all comes to the judge because it says in the usef rule book that the jusdge may penelize or eliminate a rider for the non traditional tack...this is all in the HUNTER ring of course and in jumpers it is completly legal but i do have to say that i think they should just ban elevator bits in general because they cause a horses head to raise which causes your horses back to drop and his kneck to become eue over time


  2. They're legal, but like the poster above said, the "ideal" hunter should be able to go in a snaffle.  So, I think if all else is equal, a horse going in a snaffle will place better than a horse in something else.

    I showed a warmblood gelding in hunters one summer who was really heavy on his forehand.  In practice, I rode him in a 3-ring.  For shows, however, my trainer had a bit that looked like a D-ring, but the reins were fixed to it through a hole on the D (so the reins couldn't slide around on the D like a normal snaffle - it gave the bit an elevator quality).  The part in his mouth did not have a joint and went up in the middle, too.  So, it *looked* more like a snaffle, and I don't know if it helped at all, but that's what he would show in.  It was some name brand bit.. whatever that company is that makes all those non-traditional bits.  I think they sell in Dover catalogues.

  3. You can use pretty much any bit you want in the jumpers. The hunters is a different story. Not that they're "illegal" but if it's not a dee, full cheek, eggbutt, or loose-ring, they're VERY frowned upon. A lot of judges won't even look at your horse is you're using a non-standard bit.

    edit: The person below me is talking about the Myler bits. They look like dees but give a little more lift - that may be a good option for you. http://equestrian.doversaddlery.com/sear...

  4. just ask the judge at every show you go to because it is just the judges idea.

  5. There are no illegal bits in the hunters but judges are permitted to penalize bits which are unconventional:

    SUBCHAPTER HU-4 ATTIRE, TACK AND EQUIPMENT.

    HU117 Tack.

    1. Regulation snaffles, pelhams and full bridles, all with cavesson nose bands, are recommended. A judge may penalize for non-conventional types of bits or nosebands.

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