>Mic, what is the base problem? I wish I knew. According to the FIPO:
- Nothing may be added on to bits other than smooth bit guards and chain guards, and nothing else is allowed in the horse's mouth. - Prohibited bits and/or bridles that are clearly designed for another purpose, (such as bits for cart horses,) or are part of tack designed for a different riding style/culture, or are used in another way then what they are designed for. For me, that would certainly exclude the Paso bit, but not the Myler snaffle. > >Is it politics? No, certainly not in the case of this little show - the judge had never even been to this country before and didn't know anyone at the show. > >Do they not understand the tack? I think that's part of the problem. Unfortunately I didn't have my copy of FIPO with me to wave at them as I wasn't judging that weekend apart from the pace classes. Basically they were in the wrong. > >Is it custom? > I'm not sure. I know it used to be quite common for horses in Iceland to be ridden in Icelandic bits with flash nosebands, even when it was not allowed at any FIPO competitions in Europe. There was a big hoo hah at one WC where the logo featured a horse in an Icelandic bit and flash, which has to be quickly photo-shopped as it was against FIPO rules at the time! Since the rules have been changed to allow that combination, it almost seems like it's become the fashion. Before the new "anything goes" rule, it was almost worse, apart from the Icebit/flash thing. For instance gag bits were specifically allowed, yet rubber mouthed snaffles were not (the bit had to made from only one material). Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
