USEA Recognized Combined Test: braid or not?

[Dr. Doolittle]

Since these are "scarcer than hen's teeth", it's hard to find a precedent for the braiding thing!

I'm entered in the one at Morven this weekend (at P), and normally I wouldn't bother to braid (never do for unrecognized stuff), but it *is* recognized, so I'm thinking that others may go to the trouble: if so, I don't want to stand out in the crowd as a "lazy slacker" in the eyes of the dressage judge! :p

Thoughts?

[Bobthehorse]

Always braid. Its respectful to the judge. No matter if its a schooling show or an international event, the judge appreciates proper turnout.

[Jazzy Lady]

Since it's P, braid. :) Toss in some huge, fat elasticated braids and be done with it... 20 minutes of your time to look great.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Since these are "scarcer than hen's teeth", it's hard to find a precedent for the braiding thing!

I'm entered in the one at Morven this weekend (at P), and normally I wouldn't bother to braid (never do for unrecognized stuff), but it *is* recognized, so I'm thinking that others may go to the trouble: if so, I don't want to stand out in the crowd as a "lazy slacker" in the eyes of the dressage judge! :p

Thoughts?


Depends on your dressage time and how much time you have that morning or night before (if your beast allows the braids to stay in). If you have time...braid...if not...don't stress. All the judges I spoken to about it could care less and I wouldn't lose sleep just to braid. (And I would rather be unbraided...than poorly braided or sleep deprived.)

[Ajierene]

Way back in the day, my trainer told me I *had* to braid for recognized shows.

I hate braiding and am no good at it. I braided the night before and my mare took out half of them. I had to redo the braids before I left. Drove to the horse trials, looked around and at least 1/3 if not half the competitors were not braided.

So, yeah, it is nice to braid - depending on your horse, you may look better in braids. Personally, I am not so sure my mare looks better in braids, but that has a lot to do with my skills....

If you don't braid, you will likely be far from the only one with a free flowing mane.

[tbeventer]

For a CT I'd definatley braid! Then, you have your braids in for show jumping, too! Why not kill two birds with one stone?

For those who think an early ride time is a good excuse to NOT braid or your horse may rub them out, there is this AMAZING invention called a sleazy hood! Those crazy western riders began using them YEARS ago and we eventers (and some h/j riders) finally caught on recently! :yes: Because I normally have one horse going prelim/Intermediate and one going Novice or training I NEVER have time to get both braided, plus there's normally a super early ride time. Using a sleazy allows me to get an extra 30 minutes sleep in the morning and I can get my horses braided the night before easily! It's also a life saver before trot outs, so I can braid late, do trot outs, then my horse can hang out in his lounge-wear before show jumping. BRILLIANT!:yes:

So, in my opinion, there is no excuse to not braid, other than the fact that you really don't want to.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

For a CT I'd definatley braid! Then, you have your braids in for show jumping, too! Why not kill two birds with one stone?

For those who think an early ride time is a good excuse to NOT braid or your horse may rub them out, there is this AMAZING invention called a sleazy hood! Those crazy western riders began using them YEARS ago and we eventers (and some h/j riders) finally caught on recently! :yes: Because I normally have one horse going prelim/Intermediate and one going Novice or training I NEVER have time to get both braided, plus there's normally a super early ride time. Using a sleazy allows me to get an extra 30 minutes sleep in the morning and I can get my horses braided the night before easily! It's also a life saver before trot outs, so I can braid late, do trot outs, then my horse can hang out in his lounge-wear before show jumping. BRILLIANT!:yes:

So, in my opinion, there is no excuse to not braid, other than the fact that you really don't want to.

Use Sleazy hoods in the winter as and extra layer for warmth (have for years)....but if it is hot out or I'm turning my horse out....nope, not going to make em sweat all night just to be braided. But for me....I just don't like to braid and freely admit it (goes hand in hand with hating to wear a jacket in dressage/stadium as well):)

[Kementari]

People make fun of my horses in their sleazy hoods - but *I* get to sleep later in the morning! :winkgrin:

I've never had a horse sweat under a lycra hood who wasn't sweating anyway. Maybe it's just because it tends to not be disgustingly hot up here at night (which is when they've got the hoods on) - but regardless, I'm not thinking they're going to cause a lot of discomfort. I wouldn't use one for warmth in the winter, either, because all they do is flatten the hair down, potentially making the horse COLDER, not warmer...

[tbeventer]

We are 3 hours from any event in our area, so we end up stabling no matter where we go. There's no turning out while competing for us.:no: If it's hot, my horse will just wear his sleazy and no sheet at night. I have yet to see him sweat under it, although it's only on for night or the 2 hours or so between trot outs and show jumping.

Bornfree: I'm with you on not wearing jackets in dressage and show jumping! I always feel so claustrophobic in my jacket! I even bought a nice Pikeur jacket and had it fitted and yet I still feel tight in it... and hot.

A friend of mine is a retired GP show jumper and now does dressage. She can't braid for herself or claims they look horrible. At the recognized dressage shows, she has been unable to find someone to braid for her and the judge(s) have made a HUGE point of pointing out the lack of respect it shows for them. If they have to dress up and be polite and respectful to the riders, then the least the riders can do is show the same type of respect to them. (Or so they have said to her... and she is old enough to know better.)

Now, at USEA *covered* event derbies where it is totally up to the rider (and hardley anyone dreses up), I will rarely ever be caught with my horse braided and in formal attire... I always wear nice full seats, tall boots, a matching polo, and a belt... my horses are always clean with their manes well pulled. That being said, if I *don't* have to braid, I avoid it like the plague!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

A friend of mine is a retired GP show jumper and now does dressage. She can't braid for herself or claims they look horrible. At the recognized dressage shows, she has been unable to find someone to braid for her and the judge(s) have made a HUGE point of pointing out the lack of respect it shows for them. If they have to dress up and be polite and respectful to the riders, then the least the riders can do is show the same type of respect to them. (Or so they have said to her... and she is old enough to know better.)




sounds like she got some bitchy judges! I've talked to a few R level judges about it and they said as long as everything else looks neat, they didn't care. Really....I don't see the point of braiding. Again, it is a throw back to things so long ago and not at all relevant in today's sports. But what can you do. I think for a CT in this area, she would not be the only one un braided.....if that is enough to piss off a judge, then I think that judge has some issues and personally, I'd probably be getting a sucky score anyway;)


Just for honesty...I do braid more often than not....just don't like it and would never think twice if I saw a rider not braided.

[JER]

At the recognized dressage shows, she has been unable to find someone to braid for her and the judge(s) have made a HUGE point of pointing out the lack of respect it shows for them.

The rulebook says "braiding is permitted." C'est tout.

If a judge tells a rider that a lack of braids shows a lack of respect, the judge is out of line IMO. The judge could say the same thing about a brown saddle or the brand of breeches the rider is wearing and it would be equally inappropriate as long as the rider is within the rules.

[Dr. Doolittle]

Thanks for all the replies; lots of food for thought!

I usually don't braid unless I *feel* I have to--which usually means "only for recognized HTs", in which case I feel sorta compelled to do it, even though it's not actually required--and as for the judge's preference, I think it depends on the judge as to whether they will "hold it against you"! :p (Though they are *technically* not supposed to...;))

Really, it's no big deal for me to braid: I can do great, tight buttons on my mare's relatively fine, nicely pulled mane (and yes, I'm one of those lazy people who braid with rubber bands--they look great, and take me about 20 minutes to do--I even did them with rubber bands at the AECs a few years ago, and they looked every bit as good as the sewed-in ones ;)) I don't have early times this weekend, so could throw some braids in the morning of. I have a couple of slinky hoods (and a neck attachment to my fly sheet, for "neck protection" during overnight turnout and warm weather), but my mare is pretty fastidious, and I can braid her and turn her with her gear on overnight--and they still wind up looking "pretty okay" the next morning.

(I braided professionally in my teens--for hunter folks--during my stint doing hunters; so I braid REALLY TIGHT!! Contributory to the arthritis in my hands :sigh:, and the major cause of the profanity issued by whoever is taking my accursed braids out after dressage...:p)

I was just looking for a consensus, so based on the responses, I am now :sigh: leaning towards braiding--thank goodness I have a bunch of Celebrex stashed away!

[Bobthehorse]

Around here, unbraided horses are rare. So when I do see one, its sticks out like a sore thumb. To me it goes along the same lines as a horse with a big manure stain on its butt or burrs in the tail.

[RiverBendPol]

I braid, always, every time, no matter what. Can't help it.

[Janet]

I wouldn't braid

[Dr. Doolittle]

I wouldn't braid

Ah, Janet--always "bucking the tide" when it comes to that braiding thing :D

(I mostly only braid because I am afraid *not* to--I wish I had your "courage of your own convictions" attitude :p)

Of course there is that "respect for the judge thing"--which is why my turnout is always above reproach--but mostly I am just conventional by nature, and somewhat intimidated by authority figues in general. (Some leftover chldhood trauma haunts me, I'm thinking; I was always scared to death of the cranky old P.C. Stable Management judges!...:lol: When I did MY stint as one, I was MUCH more agreeable and leniant as a result...)

[Janet]

I braid when conformation is being judged (YEH, FEH, inspections).
I braid for championships.
I will braid for ATC.

[bambam]

Dr D- don't braid- I don't want to be the only unbraided one!! :) All of my usual braiders are unavailable and my braids looks worse than a nicely pulled mane so I guess for the first time I can remember, I will be at a show without braids this weekend at the CT :eek::eek:
Don't make me be braidless alone :lol:

[oldenmare]

I braid every time, for schooling and recognized.

Are my braids fabulous? Hardly. But they do emphasize my horse's neck, show off his/her head and give an overall elegant look to our turnout.

And, dahhhlin', its all about looking good - because looking good makes you feel good, and if you feel good, you ride better!!!

As to the person who had something said to them at a show about not being braided/lack of respect - I'm thinking the turnout must have been pretty shabby overall for ANY type of comment to be made.... and I have seen riders who've shown horses that haven't seen a brush anytime that week, much less right before the class!!!

[piaffeprincess98]

I would braid, if only so your photos look nice! That's the main reason I do it. It shows off my horse's topline in photos and for the dressage judge.

[Dr. Doolittle]

Dr D- don't braid- I don't want to be the only unbraided one!! :) All of my usual braiders are unavailable and my braids looks worse than a nicely pulled mane so I guess for the first time I can remember, I will be at a show without braids this weekend at the CT :eek::eek:
Don't make me be braidless alone :lol:

Oh dear!

No worries, though; "HRH" is SO gorgeous that she doesn't need braids to "enhance the overall picture". ;) And with your dressage scores lately, if the judge "dings" you by a few points here or there (as subconscious punishment for your turnout :p), it will merely level the playing field for the rest of the folks in your division. :D

Since I don't ride dressage until almost 1:00, I should have time to throw in some braids (more out of fear than any other motive...)

I actually *like* the look of a nicely pulled mane, call me crazy!

(One of my students did BN at Rubicon this past June, unbraided. There were others in her division who were unbraided, but she was in the minority. She got a great dressage score, and won her division! And I nag and cajole ALL my students into braiding for ALL recognized HTs, even if they are bad at braiding and the braids look like crap! As my DH says, "the judge really can't see your braid job from 40+ feet away", and he is of course right...)

[bambam]

it will merely level the playing field for the rest of the folks in your division. :D

:lol::lol::lol: hardly- HRH and I have been having "issues" and so I will be happy if she does not flip her head so high when I ask for a reinback that she breaks my nose and we don't have multiple stops in stadium (hhhhmmmm, maybe it will be better if I have mane to grab in stadium after all ;))- but thank you for the nice words anyway.

[rocky's mom]

My daughter's horse was not braided for a recognized H.T. due to the itchies this summer and does not have enough mane to braid, do you think they really discriminate in their dressage scoring?

[asterix]

No, No, No. They DO NOT discriminate in scoring. Note: I can't say what happens at a recognized dressage show. But at an event? No!!!!

I hate braiding, am horrible at it, and one of my horses has no mane whatsoever (like, the tuft of hair mr. asterix pulled out learning to 2 point...right before AECs...2 years ago...has never grown back in).

I do NOT braid unless I am going prelim, and I've only done that a few times...if I get back to that level I expect I'll eventually give up on braiding there, too.

I have too many other things to do, not enough money to pay for it on a regular basis, and, honestly, if I asked the judge -- would you like me to spend that half an hour getting my horse really through and in front of my leg, or braiding? What do you think her answer will be?

I have scored very well with...gasp...no braids and NO JACKET (as per the new rules), even when my whole division had both.

Dr. D, leave it be if it hurts your hands. Silly woman!!! Be prepared and clean and respectful.

I can't tell you how vindicated I felt when I looked around the top-10 victory gallop at AECs and noticed that more than half of us were unbraided for SJ :D

Of course, like Janet, I braid (well, someone else braids) for championships (er, dressage, that is), etc.

On a lighter note, you and bambam GO this weekend!!!! Woohoo!!!

[Dr. Doolittle]

No, No, No. They DO NOT discriminate in scoring. Note: I can't say what happens at a recognized dressage show. But at an event? No!!!!

I hate braiding, am horrible at it, and one of my horses has no mane whatsoever (like, the tuft of hair mr. asterix pulled out learning to 2 point...right before AECs...2 years ago...has never grown back in).

I do NOT braid unless I am going prelim, and I've only done that a few times...if I get back to that level I expect I'll eventually give up on braiding there, too.

I have too many other things to do, not enough money to pay for it on a regular basis, and, honestly, if I asked the judge -- would you like me to spend that half an hour getting my horse really through and in front of my leg, or braiding? What do you think her answer will be?

I have scored very well with...gasp...no braids and NO JACKET (as per the new rules), even when my whole division had both.

Dr. D, leave it be if it hurts your hands. Silly woman!!! Be prepared and clean and respectful.

I can't tell you how vindicated I felt when I looked around the top-10 victory gallop at AECs and noticed that more than half of us were unbraided for SJ :D

Of course, like Janet, I braid (well, someone else braids) for championships (er, dressage, that is), etc.

On a lighter note, you and bambam GO this weekend!!!! Woohoo!!!


Thanks!

And ah, asterix--this is why I love you so! :D

Yes, Championships are another matter (but when I did the AECs, I didn't braid for stadium--and others in the victory gallop with me didn't braid either! ;))

I will probably wind up braiding for this just because it's not a big deal considering my late times--but it will be interesting to see how many others do...of course everyone else in my division is an ULR, past Olympian, etc...the usual nightmare competition, who of course all will have "hot and cold running grooms" on staff to do that menial stuff for them...:sigh:

I'm just hoping that Her Majesty BEHAVES in the dressage; I'm not worried about the stadium (the jumping is a pretty strong phase for her) but lately, she has been "extra non-submissive" in the sandbox :rolleyes:

I'm going to try to catch some of the "big boys" doing x-country on Sat.!

[GiGi]

I show an Appy mare with a mane that just cannot be braided, won't lay flat and looks hidious if you roach her as the mane has to all be off cause it won't stand straight up. Point is I keep it trimmed as well as possible and I show recognized eventing and dressage and not one judge has mentioned it nor have I felt the judges' scores were influenced by it.
However, I make sure every other aspect of our turnout is absolutely impecable.

[Dr. Doolittle]

Yes, I'm with GiGi; BELIEVE me, there is *never* a hair out of place, and my turnout is always impeccable--braided or unbraided (to the eternal exasperation of my husband :p); I always feel as though "that should be G*damn good enough for any judge!"

[EquiSport]

I probably shouldn't admit this, but...

I've won Prelim dressage at a HT with no braids.

I was very much like asterix & didn't braid for anything below Prelim. but I always braided for Prelim. However, like many I don't particularly enjoy it, but I do it. At that particular HT I decided I wasn't jumping my horse, but would take advantage of the dressage feedback. My plan was to compete in the dressage and then withdraw from competition. So based upon the fact that I wasn't going to finish the competition (for me, it was essentially a schooling dressage show) & I don't particularly enjoy braiding, I decided not to. (How’s that for justification? ;) :lol:)

When it comes to braiding I wouldn't fret over it. Just ride the best you can.

With that said, recently I do find myself braiding for most recognized HTs. Schooling shows I don't braid for, and I probably wouldn't braid for a recognized CT. Come back & let us know how many braided/didn't braid.

... I'm just hoping that Her Majesty BEHAVES in the dressage; I'm not worried about the stadium (the jumping is a pretty strong phase for her) but lately, she has been "extra non-submissive" in the sandbox :rolleyes: ...

:lol: I know the feeling. My mare is the same way!

[asterix]

aha! When and if I make it back to prelim, I will go unbraided, unless my coach catches me!!!
Vindication :D

Enjoy the fabulous weather, and, Dr. D, ride like you KNOW she's going to be lovely...maybe she will? One never knows.....

[mythical84]

Yes Yes Yes you DO need to braid. If for no other reason than to help poor college students pay for their horsey habit while in school. :) :) :)

[Dr. Doolittle]

:lol:

Does this mean I would have to PAY said college students to braid for me?? :p

I am opposed to paying for braiding on principle; mostly because I am "prideful" AND cheap, and also because I do a *great* job myself (better than most pro braiders, being that I am a "former pro braider" myself...;))

My husband gives me a hard time about this attitude on a regular basis, citing both my hand arthritis, and also the time it takes (that could better be spend on something else, of course...)

So, bleah, the jury is still out, here...

(And thanks for all the divergent opinions! Winky, winky, NOT, since there is clearly no consensus! :p)