Bling can be, quite frankly, dazzling. Twice now as a spectator I have been absolutely blinded by sunlight on bling at exactly the right (or wrong) angle. It’s not just restricted to browbands any more: I’ve seen super-blingy jackets at BE, and a hat with a diamanté bow at the back at BS. And we won’t even talk about the Swarovski-fest that is BD… diamanté stirrups, anyone?!
The new FEI rule updates on tack are available to view here
There are the typical strictures on various new styles of stirrup, bit etc, but also this carefully-worded warning:
This was really eye-catching but not too sparkly, so it wasn’t like a death-laser in the eyes when the sun caught it!
Very blingy indeed.
At Badminton horse some horses sported very snazzy browbands.
But it’s worth checking the FEI rules and being cautious with your bling, or you might not get the chance to blind the judges with your brilliance!
Be warned that BE is cracking down on embellished bridles, they are no fans of bling and additional adornment either!
Are the low port comfort snaffles allowed in FEI dressage?
the ones that are legal in BE and BD?
the Myler bits, sorry should have added!
The only dressage legal Mylers are the 32 and 02 mouthpieces, as far as I know. Anything ported is not allowed as part of a snaffle… but you can warm up in whatever bit you like and then switch to a similar legal bit for the test, e.g. warm up in the low port and switch to the 02 at the last minute and hope the horse doesn’t notice the difference for the next 5 minutes! I know people who have done this. It is perfectly allowed, you can warm up in ANY tack for any of the phases.