Riders' Frustration At Over-Zealous Changes To Their Competition Tack

The spotlight has fallen on the correct fi tting of curb chains after stewards took action at British Dressage shows

- Rachael Turner

DRESSAGE riders and trainers are frustrated over stewards loosening horses’ curb chains to an “unacceptable” level.

Top rider and coach, and H&H columnist, Pammy Hutton said her pupil Davy Harvey could not ride her horse Enjoy K at the regional championships at Bury Farm (7 August) as the chain was too loose.

“The steward insisted on loosening the chain to the point that it was hanging on his chin,” Pammy told H&H. “He’s a good horse but also quirky and when the chain was loosened, he went nuts. Davy asked if he could do it up a link but the steward said no.

“Davy didn’t attempt the test because the horse was unworkable. I was fuming — riders train for regional finals all year.”

International rider Alice Oppenheimer also slackened the curb chain of her gelding Head more Wimoweh at the request of a steward at the Bury Farm regionals.

“When I went for the check, it was the same as I always have it and I’ve never been told to loosen it before,” she told H&H. “When the steward said it was too tight, I said I didn’t think it was, but she insisted on loosening it.