Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
The USDF Region 7 Championships were held recently at LA Equestrian Center. The CDS Championship show is held in conjunction with that show. We didn't go this year, but I followed along a bit on social media. I am never really one to be "in the know," but I do like to check in now and then. I did catch one bit that I found interesting, and the reason it was so interesting was because it was "a thing." I am not opposed to double bridles at all. You all know that I put Izzy in a double for a few days to see if it would help me get control. I got control all right, but he wasn't ready for that much communication, so I searched for a bit that gave me some brakes without so much hardware. No, it's not the use of the double bridle, it's the widespread use of the double that I find interesting. Speedy and I made it to four shows this summer showing Third Level. I paid close attention to what bridle riders were using at Third Level and above. Third Level is when riders are permitted to use a double bridle. I don't recall seeing a single other rider using a snaffle. I was the only one. When we were preparing to make the move to Third Level, I asked my trainer, Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, if I needed to move to a double bridle. I figured since everyone else uses one, I would probably need one as well. Her answer was a solid no. She didn't think we needed one ... yet. As we moved through the season at Third Level, I've given the idea of the double bridle a lot of thought. Third Level is not that much harder than Second Level, so why the instantaneous need for a second bit? My reason to switching to a double would be to get control of a hot, forward horse. Or maybe one that is getting overly strong in the bridle at the medium and extended gaits. If that were true, you would expect to see a healthy mix of snaffles and doubles at Third and above. That doesn't seem to be true though. I think that the main reason riders make the switch is that the double serves as a rite of passage. Third Level is no longer part of the lower levels. It's a big step towards the upper levels, the FEI, the Big Dogs, the Big Time. It's a Big Deal to move out of Second Level, and riders want to celebrate that success. At least, that's how it looks from here. If you made the switch to a double bridle at Third, why did you feel it was necessary? I would really like to know.
We may need to move to a double bridle eventually, but I am going to hope not. Instead, I am going to work towards riding a Grand Prix test in a snaffle. Speedy's a hard worker, and he likes his job. He enjoys the challenges I present to him, and he tries his heart out for me. So far, the snaffle is working well. Besides, snaffle bridles are a lot cheaper than a double. If nothing else, staying in a snaffle is a cost saver.
Cassandra
10/9/2019 06:24:19 am
Was once present for a very interesting debate at a trainers conference between Lilo Fore and Stephen Clarke on the subject. Lilo argued that some horses go better in a double and some don’t benefit at all or even aren’t comfortable in it- so snaffle should be allowed at all levels. 10/9/2019 10:46:45 am
I think the status symbol of a double bridle plays into the decision to use it FAR more than it should. Especially at 3rd/4th level. 10/10/2019 06:14:49 am
I agree Mia, but I hope I am wrong. I hope every rider who switches to a double does it to help the horse, not just her ego.
I can barely manage one set of reins, let alone two! I think people move to the double just to say they can. It may work for some horses/riders, but why use it if you don't need it? Interesting though... 10/10/2019 06:17:13 am
Sadly, I think you're right.
Burn the Mortgage
10/10/2019 05:55:38 am
Back when I was riding a 3rd-4th level horse who was comfortable in a double I got to ride him in it sometimes. 10/10/2019 06:20:48 am
My trainer and I talked about it on Tuesday, and that was her thinking too. She explained why she chooses a double for particular horses. For example, for one horse, it helped in the changes. A friend said that same thing. I've enjoyed hearing why riders choose the double. If there isn't a reason for choosing it other than being at Third Level, it doesn't seem like a smart choice.
Karen T.
10/10/2019 12:52:55 pm
I don't know of anyone who uses a double bridle as some sort of status symbol. I use one for better finesse of the aids. But if I had a super sensitive horse with a tendency to back off the contact, I'd stay in a snaffle. Some people may have better control with a double (like smaller ladies who buy huge moving warmbloods they can't really ride). But some sort of statement? Or rite of passage? No, I don't really see any of that. Wearing one type of bridle or another does not make you better than someone else. It's your actual riding. 11/23/2019 07:26:40 am
Oh, I agree with you. I've asked many California riders about the double, and the ones i spoke to had a legitimate reason for making the switch, but everyone agreed that they see the same thing I do: riders making the switch because they can.
Val
10/12/2019 05:13:51 am
Very interesting. I think you may be right about some riders using it for a rite of passage. I had a woman tell me as much about the rider wearing white gloves only at third level and above. I thought that was silly since the level is the horse not the rider. 11/23/2019 07:28:12 am
I met a rider at a show in October who was showing PSG in a snaffle. We talked for quite a while about it. Unfortunately, Speedy is just now showing me that he needs the double, but I am not giving up on my snaffle. :0)
My older horse is very sensitive and often backed off the contact when he would get overwhelmed. A lot of this came from the time (before me) he spent in draw reins. I found the double helped him to "find his brain". The curb action encouraged him to lower his head and lengthen his neck, allowing me to access his back and get him back to work quickly. On really bad days, it would help me give him extremely tiny aids to help avoid an explosion. I showed in both the snaffle and the double, depending on the day and the horse I had under me. Our results were neither better nor worse with either bridle. 11/23/2019 07:29:39 am
My friend Jen, who rides the FEI tests, said the same thing. She finds she's a more quiet rider with the double. Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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