Organisers might be inspired to host “particular restricted” lessons for riders wishing to make use of snaffle bridles in worldwide grand prix lessons.
The suggestion is a part of FEI suggestions following additional debate on the obligatory use of double bridles on the high degree of worldwide dressage. Snaffle bridles are permitted in any respect ranges of British Dressage nationwide competitors.
The Swedish and Dutch federations had requested the FEI to “re-evaluate” the necessary use of double bridles at CDI3* and above, as a part of the 2024 rule revisions (information, 4 July).
They mentioned on the time they “suppose it’s in one of the best curiosity for the game to make it elective and permit riders to make use of a snaffle in the event that they deem this of their greatest curiosity as a mix”. The FEI had stood by its earlier resolution – that the usage of snaffle or double bridles is a “technical (sport) matter and never a matter of wellbeing/welfare”.
It added that its dressage technical committee (DTC) is “prepared and out there” to be a part of a multi-disciplinary professional spherical desk “to debate the proper becoming and doable modernising of the double bridle”.
This prompted additional feedback from nations over the summer season.
The German federation, Worldwide Dressage Riders Membership and Worldwide Dressage Trainers Membership mentioned they “don’t share the opinion that utilizing a double bridle is a matter of horse welfare”, however do help a round-table dialogue.
“Nonetheless, a prerequisite for coming to an affordable conclusion is to have outcomes of considerably extra significant scientific research on the topic, for instance on what a bit does in a horse’s mouth,” they added.
The Swedish federation reiterated its name, including that it’s “as soon as once more asking the FEI to permit athletes to trip in a snaffle bridle, as we strongly imagine it’s in one of the best curiosity for the [sport of] dressage”.
“We additionally imagine that making the double bridle elective, and as a substitute making it doable to
adapt the gear to every horse’s psychological and bodily wants, is essential to safe
the general public’s acceptance of the game,” it mentioned.
The FEI restated its earlier response, that the usage of double bridle at high sport “isn’t a welfare situation” – which it states is “primarily based on a few years of expertise, the information at the moment at hand, and the outcomes achieved”. Nevertheless it additionally advised a brand new method ahead.
“The DTC means that this subject might be additional evaluated throughout the 2025 season by encouraging organisers to incorporate a particular restricted class for athletes who want to use the snaffle bridle in grand prix as much as CDI3* degree. Information from these research would help sooner or later evaluation of the subject,” mentioned the FEI.
The dialogue was printed as a part of the second draft of FEI rule modifications for 2025, which can be voted on on the common meeting in Abu Dhabi (10-13 November).
Different key modifications embrace tightening of showjumping whip guidelines (information, 4 July), and interviews with riders after eventing horse falls to turn into obligatory, fairly than a suggestion.
Vital new proposed guidelines on out-of-competition testing on horses, together with their whereabouts and who’s classed because the particular person accountable, have sparked response. Federations have been broadly supportive of the final idea of out-of-competition testing, whereas in search of additional clarifications and particulars on precisely how it will work. An amended model can be voted on on the common meeting.
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H&H senior information author
Lucy is an skilled information journalist, reporter and presenter. Since becoming a member of the Horse & Hound crew in 2015, Lucy has reported from main world sporting occasions together with the Tokyo Paralympic Video games and a number of European Championships, in addition to Badminton, Burghley and London, to call just a few. She has coated present affairs and sports activities information throughout the total spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, in addition to human and equine welfare, business information and courtroom circumstances.
