Bitless bridles are allowed says British Eventing
British Eventing (BE) has amended its rule book to make it clear that bitless bridles are acceptable for showjumping and cross-country.
It follows an incident when competitor Mark Smith was wrongly banned from the showjumping because his horse was wearing a bitless bridle.
BE apologised. But on 20 July at Aston-le-Walls (2), Georgina Mckeown – who also competes in a bitless bridle – was told by a BE steward she could not go cross-country in the open novice.
She was eventually allowed to run and finished sixth on Del Piero.
Chris Farr of BE said: “The resultant rule change was appropriate, understandable and enforceable.
“I can confirm it has been published on the website and sent to all BE officials.”
This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (3 August 2012)
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Flora Watkins spent several years working for BBC News before moving into print, first as a staffer at Horse & Hound, before going freelance.