dressage legal??

[cirocco]

Does anyone know if these are dressage legal...

Barefoot london tree less dressage saddle.

[Claire]

so far as i know.  last time i read the rules, it said nothing about the saddle having to have a tree....

[oldmoss]

Yes they are, I used to have one for my cob and we competed at the time in Novice - totally dressage legal for all levels 

[flintfootfilly]

Current BD rules say the saddle must be of "English or continental design" and some more stuff too.....

http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/uploads/File/Equipment%20and%20Dress%20Rules.pdf

To be honest, I'd have thought it was dodgy ground competing in a London, because the pommel arch isn't what is normally seen in an English style saddle, but I know nothing...  Might be worth checking with BD if it really matters to you?

Sarah

[cirocco]

If its ok ill buy it, oldmoss, if your sure....So you did Novice in one???? well if you didn't get slung out then they must be ok..

 Im not going to be doing anything other than local dressage, so it might not be an issue eh?.

Ive also seen a freeform elite which is a bit more 'normal' looking, they seem to be acceptable, but its twice the price.

[Claire]

Current BD rules say the saddle must be of "English or continental design"

certainly continental design, then - since it's German, LOL

frankly, i'd be exceedingly surprised if anyone even notices.

[Larri DB]

That argument doesn't work Claire, we tried it with Iberian saddles which are irrefutably a continental design ......and now BD have specifically banned them

I would say the London wouldn't be accepted under BD rules, but you might get away with it under RC rules. Is it worth calling local organisers and asking for confirmation?

[cirocco]

Ive bid on the bloomin thing now.....snipe'd it..

I have spoken to the organizers of the local RC. They said that there are several people that use the fitform, dartmoor, or other.  I think its worth the risk really for other folk who want to go tree less.

So what happens when you use the Vogue???? thats not anything like a 'regular' saddle.

[oldmoss]

I competed in affiliated prelim with the Barefoot London down in Ingliston and then did novice at unaffiliated.

To be honest I would be surprised if they noticed as well - there is such a HUGE variety of saddles out there these days and it was one of the only ones at the time I could get to fit my ever changing young cob !

I competed every weekend for 2 years in the London and not once did any judge / steward / official comment on it, in fact one very successful dressage rider who is affiliated and competes and teaches to a high level hersefl actually was the only one that commented on it and she was keen to try one herself !

[Camacoona]

  Barefoot saddles are all dressage legal.    There is a statement in the rules that says treeless models are accepted.  I have ridden affiliated in the barefoot Cheyenne not quite as conventional looking as the London!

[Larri DB]

That's amazing - I am glad they do allow them because that's one thing that properly pees me off with BD - some of the utterly petty rules and regulations!

[Claire]

That argument doesn't work Claire, we tried it with Iberian saddles which are irrefutably a continental design ......and now BD have specifically banned them

on what grounds?  very bizarre

[Larri DB]

50. Saddles
Saddles must be worn and be of English or Continental style and must be brown, black, grey or navy. Side saddles and treeless saddles are permitted. Western style, traditional Iberian or Arabian or brightly coloured saddles are not permitted. Stirrup leathers and irons are compulsory and must be attached to the saddle and used in the conventional way. The rider’s boots must not be fixed to the stirrup iron by mechanical means and if used without dispensation will result in elimination. Saddle covers are not permitted except during riding-in. A gel pad/memory foam seat saver is permitted, provided that it is unobtrusive and matches the colour of the saddle. Other types of seat saver including sheepskin/fur fabric are not permitted unless written dispensation has been obtained from the British Dressage Office.

It makes as much sense as allowing horses to compete in any manner of remedial horseshoe, but you can't in hoof boots. (or you couldn't when I last asked I was told categorically that if it needed boots it wasn't sound enough to ride  ) The same rules that say you can carry whips and at higher levels you must wear spurs but you can't ride without a noseband and you can haul and hoik and kick your horse all round the arena with nothing to lose but a few marks yet to dare to ride without gloves is an instant elimination 

Gawd I could rant for HOURS on this subject!!!

[cirocco]

Oh dont get me started....

Nothing annoys me as much as these rules and regulations .

[cirocco]

 

I won the bareback london dressage on E bay........

So thats a result. Thank you to everyone who gave me advice, love you all.

AND the person I bought it off is a good person too, she supports a donkey charity in the Gambia... I think this helped me buy the saddle when it was up against another...silly me.

So just have to see if himself likes it now. He should do, its a lot like the one im using a.t.mo.