Keeping updated with the latest British Showjumping kit rules
Last month, and rather out of the blue, British Showjumping (BS) announced amendments to their tack and equipment rules. Some of the changes - banning Cheltenham gags with roundings and Stephens continental hackamores - came in with immediate effect, while others, which ruled out several popular bits and noseband styles, were made effective less than four weeks later, on the 1st of April.
The news didn’t go down very well with lots of showjumping riders, many of whom expressed their frustration at the timelines involved. By either immediately requiring new equipment or less than a month between the announcement and the changes didn’t give them much time to find an alternative setup and get their horse used to it.
The core change from a bitting perspective is that any bits with adjustable mechanisms are no longer permitted. Adjustable in this context generally refers to bits where the action can be altered through different rein positions or moving parts that change pressure points. While these designs can offer versatility, they also introduce variability that BS is now aiming to standardise
That rules out some popular choices including the Beris Mullen Comfort Tandem Bit and the Bomber’s Bits Happy Tongue Hybrid. BS has released a single PDF document that lists the changes in tables for bits and hackamores, curbs and backstraps, spurs, nosebands and so on. If you’ve been worried about your equipment setup and competing in BS, it’s a great resource to help you put some facts behind all the rumours swirling online. You can take a closer look at the document and the tables here.
If you’re going to have to change your bit to comply with the new regulations, our free bitting advice line is the perfect resource to help you make the right choice. For more sensitive horses, changing their bit during the competition season is a recipe for disaster, so why not get expert support. A chat with Jodie about the bit you were using before the rule changes, why you chose it, how your horse responds to different bits and their mouth confirmation, and she will be able to recommend a good - and BS legal - alternative.
Just call 01609 765 324 and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. And remember, our 30-day trial makes it easy to try a few different designs and play around until you know your horse is happy.
Rule changes can feel inconvenient, especially mid-season, but they also offer a good opportunity to reassess your horse’s comfort and way of going. With the right support and a bit of trial and error, you’ll be pinging fences and winning jump offs in no time at all.