Are Elevator bits legal in the Hunter/Jumper ring?

Question

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...

Answer 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

Answer 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.

Answer 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...

Answer 4

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

Answer 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.