Happy Mouth revolver legal?

[IFG]

Sorry another bit question. I did a search, but cannot find this.

Is this bit legal:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-010426

[HotIITrot]

That's a good question.

Does anybody know the answer to this?

Has anybody used them? Likes? Dislikes?

[Ambrey]

AFAIK, anything with a rotating center is not legal.

You can read the rules here:

http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2008/08-DR.pdf

All bits (in A and B below) must be smooth and with a solid surface. Twisted, wire and roller
bits are prohibited. A bushing or coupling is permitted as the center link in a double jointed
snaffle, however, the surface of the center piece must be solid with no moveable parts.

[thatmoody]

Just a warning - their bit with the covered center link also revolves, even though the description doesn't say so :(.

[FLeckenAwesome]

so...can i hijack real quick....

i'm so bummed that my center revolving baucher won't work... fleck likes the center revolving wonder bit so i thought he'd like the baucher...
but the french link baucher is legal right?!?!
i see that french links are...and bauchers are...but a combo is still fine right?!
thanks
sorry!

[Ambrey]

i see that french links are...and bauchers are...but a combo is still fine right?!
thanks

You can mix and match any of the legal mouthpieces with any of the legal cheekpieces :)

[FLeckenAwesome]

sweet!
that's what i was hoping, but wanted to make sure :)
thanks!

[EquiSport]

Ultimately, to play it safe, you’ll want to contact the USEF and get clarification on any kind of bit that you’re unsure about.

With that said, I have seen people use the Happy Mouth Revolver before in competition.

In general I think the rule book can be very difficult to understand, and the bit section is no exception.

However, my interpretation is as follows:

AFAIK, anything with a rotating center is not legal.

You can read the rules here:

http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2008/08-DR.pdf

I don’t think this is true as section DR121 Saddlery and Equipment 13.c. states (thank for providing the link):

The following bit is permitted for use either as a snaffle or bridoon: (Snaffle or bridoon with rotating middle piece)

Additionally, the HM Revolver is not a roller and actually functions very similarly to the Myler Comfort Snaffle (which is legal) in that it allows independent left and right communication.

I may be wrong, but considering the above information I’d deem the bit in question to be legal.

[Ambrey]

Sec 13 says specifically in the first line:

13. The following rules apply exclusively to USEF High Performance qualifying and selection
trials, and observation classes.

[Janet]

Ultimately, to play it safe, you’ll want to contact the USEF and get clarification on any kind of bit that you’re unsure about.

With that said, I have seen people use the Happy Mouth Revolver before in competition.

In general I think the rule book can be very difficult to understand, and the bit section is no exception.

However, my interpretation is as follows:



I don’t think this is true as section DR121 Saddlery and Equipment 13.c. states (thank for providing the link):



Additionally, the HM Revolver is not a roller and actually functions very similarly to the Myler Comfort Snaffle (which is legal) in that it allows independent left and right communication.

I may be wrong, but considering the above information I’d deem the bit in question to be legal.
First, 121.13 CLEARLY SAYS
The following rules apply exclusively to USEF High Performance qualifying and selection trials, and observation classes.
so the phrase about "Snaffle or bridoon
with rotating middle piece" ONLY applies to High Performance (e.g. FEI) classes.

Second, it is my understanding that the phrase "Snaffle or bridoon with rotating middle piece" only applies to the SPECIFIC bit pictured below, and not to any other "rotating middle piece"

[EquiSport]

My bad; thanks for the clarification. I didn’t realize some snaffles could be legal for certain classes, but not all.

[Janet]

My bad; thanks for the clarification. I didn’t realize some snaffles could be legal for certain classes, but not all. This is the first time it has happened, AFAIK.

[HotIITrot]

... I didn’t realize some snaffles could be legal for certain classes, but not all.

It seems strange considering the bit pictured in the rules is legal for any level in eventing dressage (I believe). Wonder why it’s not the same for regular dressage. Does anybody know what kind of bit it is?

[Ambrey]

It seems strange considering the bit pictured in the rules is legal for any level in eventing dressage (I believe). Wonder why it’s not the same for regular dressage. Does anybody know what kind of bit it is?

It's a Sprenger bit.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-01894&sid=froogle&CATALOG_CODE=1X814&EID=X1814001&zmam=1460880&zmas=1&zmac=49&zmap=X1-01894&bhcd2=1222956498

I have a friend who theorizes "dressage riders are afraid of their tack." That might explain the different rules for eventing ;)

[Janet]

It seems strange considering the bit pictured in the rules is legal for any level in eventing dressage (I believe). Wonder why it’s not the same for regular dressage. Does anybody know what kind of bit it is?
The FEI made it legal for both straight dressage and eventing dressage.

The USEF dressage committee decided to make it only legal for FEI related classes.

The USEF Eventing committee decided to make it legal to for all Eventing Dressage.

I have no idea why the two committees made different decisions.

[Janet]

I have just found a great new resource (from USEF) for determining the legality of bits for straight dressage.
http://www.usef.org/documents/FormsPubs/DressageEquipmentBooklet.pdf

In additions to an annotated version of the text from the rule book, it includes pictures of a number of actual bits, and explains why they are, or are not legal.

In particular, it says
Happy mouth loose ring revolver bit - NOT LEGAL to use in dressage.

[Ambrey]

Awesome resource :)

[EquiSport]

That is an awesome resource. Thanks for sharing it!

I was wondering about those rotary snaffles too!

[HotIITrot]

The FEI made it legal for both straight dressage and eventing dressage.

The USEF dressage committee decided to make it only legal for FEI related classes.

The USEF Eventing committee decided to make it legal to for all Eventing Dressage.

I have no idea why the two committees made different decisions.

Thanks for the clarification; I had no idea how that worked.

Also, another thank you for that link you posted!

[thatmoody]

Well, we're nowhere near that level with the young man I bought it for anyway, so thank you for that - those rules are not too bad, but you have to read them thoroughly to make sure you don't miss that important little fact!

We had the loveliest ride in it tonight - he was actually WORSE in it after the first couple of rides because he "found the roller" and just would not stop playing with it. So we dug out a German dropped noseband from the tack morass and he was so soft and lovely after that that I was happy!