Equipment Guidelines for English Events

Huntseat Pleasure Events

Huntseat Pleasure, Hunter under Saddle, Arena Trail, etc.

Required:	Huntseat Saddle with pad English Bridle - snaffle, kimberwicke (1 bit, 1 rein) or pelham (1 bit, 2 reins) acceptable. Plain noseband required.
Optional:	Hunt-Style Breastplate
Prohibited:	Any restrictive equipment (martingales, dropped nosebands etc.) Any protective equipment (boots, leg wraps, etc.) Double bridle (2 bits, 2 reins)
Comments:	Horses should be shown with some bit contact (minimal slack in the reins) at all times. Conservative turnout is the norm. Decorated or white lined brow/nosebands, square or brightly colored saddlepads are discouraged.

Hunter over Fences Events

Required:	Huntseat Saddle with pad English Bridle - snaffle, kimberwicke (1 bit, 1 rein) or pelham (1 bit, 2 reins) acceptable. Plain noseband required.
Optional:	Hunt-Style Breastplate Standing Martingale
Prohibited:	Other restrictive equipment (dropped nosebands, running martingale, etc.) Any protective equipment (boots, leg wraps, etc.) Double bridle (2 bits, 2 reins)
Comments:	Horses should be shown with some bit contact (minimal slack in the reins) at all times. Conservative turnout is the norm. Decorated or white lined brow/nosebands, square or brightly colored saddlepads are discouraged. Fences must also be conservative. No striped poles or bright colors. Fences are typically solid white, brown, or dark "hunter" green. Flowers, shrubs, simulated stone or brick, are OK if conservative. Fences should include a ground line. Fences are not numbered or flagged.

Jumping Events

All Stadium Jumping Events, Combined Training Cross-Country Phase

Required:	Huntseat Saddle with pad English Bridle - any style/bit acceptable
Optional:	Breastplate (various styles) Any restrictive equipment (martingales, dropped nosebands, etc.) Any protective equipment (boots, leg wraps, etc.)
Comments:	Horses should be shown with some bit contact (minimal slack in the reins) at all times. Basically anything goes for equipment. Entries typically include some type of breastplate and/or martingale, and leg protection. Non-conservative attire is acceptable. This is the place for your trendy tack and hip saddlepads. For stadium fences, striped poles and bright colors are the norm. Fences are typically decorated with lots of flowers and shrubery. Fences need not include a ground line, but usually do at lower levels. Fences should be numbered and flagged, white on left, red on right. Cross-country fences are typically imposing, rustic looking structures. They are of solid construction with no jump cups or knockdown parts. Banked obstacles (where the horse jumps on to or off of part of the structure) are acceptable. Fences are numbered and flagged the same as stadium jumps.

Dressage

Required:	Dressage or Huntseat Saddle with pad (Dressage saddle highly preferred for 3rd level and up) English Bridle - snaffle bit only Training - 2nd Level, double bridle (not Pelham) optional for 3rd-4th level, required above 4th (Prix)
Optional:	Dropped, flash, and figure-8 nosebands allowed with snaffle bridle
Prohibited:	Any other restrictive equipment (martingales, etc.) Any protective equipment ( boots, leg wraps, etc.)
Comments:	Horses should be shown with full bit contact (no slack in the reins) at all times, except where instructed otherwise (i.e. free walk on a loose rein). Dressage has very well defined requirements for how the various movements should be performed at the various levels, so be sure to pick a level that your horse is suited for. When in doubt, choose a lower level. Most uncustomized models are not suitable above first level. Typical turnout is conservative, however, Dressage has some particular style trends all its own, including black leather tack, white lined bridles, and brass hardware accents. Square pads are also popular, but bright colors should be avoided. While not expressly prohibited, I have never seen a dressage entry wearing a breastplate of any kind. Also not used are full cheek bits. Riders may not carry whips or crops while riding a test, however they almost always wear spurs. Dressage is performed in an arena defined by a short (approx. 18" tall in real life) white fence. Letter markers are placed outside the fence according to a standard pattern. Official tests define each movement in relation to the markers. A good model dressage entry should show a movement used in an actual test. Including a copy of the test and an arena diagram showing the movement is highly encouraged.

Equipment Guidelines for Western Events

Western Pleasure Events

Western Pleasure, Arena Trail, Western Riding

Required:	Western Saddle - single or double cinch with pad Western Bridle - any headstall style with curb bit; split or romal reins
Optional:	Breastplate
Prohibited:	Any restrictive equipment (nosebands, tiedowns, etc.) Any protective equipment (boots, leg wraps, etc.) Mechanical hackamores Roping or gaming reins
Comments:	Some real horse organizations allow young (5 and under) horses to be shown in snaffle bits or bosals. Some judges may require hobbles and a riata to be carried if romal reins are used. Horse may be ground tied only if split reins are used - romal reined horses must be hobbled. Horses should be shown off bit contact (some slack in the reins) at all times.

Western Gymkahna Events

Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Keyhole Race, Stake Race, etc.

Required:	Western Saddle - single or double cinch with pad Western Bridle - any style with closed loop gaming reins
Optional:	Breastplate Any restrictive equipment (nosebands, tiedowns, etc.) Any protective equipment (boots, leg wraps, etc.) Mechanical hackamores Light weight gaming style saddle Bright colored (red, blue, green, etc.) equipment Bats, quirts, over-under whips, etc.
Comments:	Split or romal reins OK in informal or "fun" type events (egg and spoon race, boot race, etc.) but gaming reins standard for serious timed events. Basically anything goes for equipment, but the typical gymkahna entry will usually be equiped with a breastplate, tiedown, and some sort of leg protection.

Roping Events

Calf Roping, Team Roping, Steer Roping, etc.

Required:	Western Saddle - double cinch with pad Western Bridle - any style with closed loop roping reins Breastplate
Optional:	Any restrictive equipment (nosebands, tiedowns, etc.) Any protective equipment (boots, leg wraps, etc.) Mechanical hackamores Neck rope (calf roping only - highly encouraged)
Comments:	Rear cinch and breastplate are considered required for safety reasons. In reality, a double rigged saddle (rear cinch connected directly to the tree by a steel ring) is required for safe roping. For model purposes, a saddle with the rear cinch connected to the skirting only is generally acceptable because it is the only style widely available. Each event has its own set of practices regarding how the rope is handled - too detailed to go into here - consult event specific references. Basically anything goes for equipment, but the typical roping entry will usually be equiped with a tiedown and some sort of leg protection.

Stock Work Events

Cutting, Reining, Reined Cowhorse

Required:	Western Saddle - single or double cinch with pad Western Bridle - any headstall style with curb bit; split or romal reins
Optional:	Breastplate Any protective equipment (boots, leg wraps, etc.)
Prohibited:	Any restrictive equipment (nosebands, tiedowns, etc.) Mechanical hackamores Roping or gaming reins
Comments:	Some real horse organizations allow young (5 and under) horses to be shown in snaffle bits or bosals. Some judges may require hobbles and a riata to be carried if romal reins are used. Split reins are preferred in cutting. The typical entry will usually include a double cinch saddle, breastplate, and some sort of leg protection.