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British Dressage (BD) will be allowing a number of additional bridles, nosebands and bits in its competitions for 2018.
The tack has already been permitted for use in FEI competitions and the British governing body has followed suit.
The bridles include a number of PS of Sweden’s models. Horses will be able to be ridden in the pioneer, nirak, high jump, jump off and elastic concept bridle.
The Shadow Horse bridle with d-rings at the poll will also be allowed, as well as the Stubben freedom 2500 snaffle, the Passier fortuna double and the Osiris bridle by VT Horses.
Nosebands are also covered in the changes, including the tota and PS of Sweden Nosebands.
In addition, new bits will be allowed in 2018. These include Bombers Equestrians’ flexible mullen, happy tongue ported barrel, eliptical cable and loose ring ultra comfy.
“Tack and equipment will be reviewed at the beginning of each season,” said a BD spokesman.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“All revisions will be published on the [BD] website and/or rule book.
“A supplementary handy pictorial tack and equipment guide will be available online shortly.”
Allowing riders to carry whips in premier league classes but eliminating those who do so in championships is another change due to be brought in next season.
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BD is dropping the six penalties per judge currently given to any rider to carry a whip in these classes, while still allowing them in other national classes.
It is also stipulating that three judges must be used for all championships and they should be positioned both on the long and short sides of the arena.
In addition, competitor numbers must now be worn on both sides of the horse.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.