top hats and rubber bits

[Keira]

I've just spent the morning going through FEI and EFA rules trying to find out if it is compulsory to wear a top hat in CCI** dressage? At CIC** I've been wearing a helmet, which seems to be fine, but I wanted to check.

Other thing, I nearly got eliminated at camden for having a straigh bar rubber which was rubber the whole way through. Apparently that rule has changed, but I can't find it anywhere.. In the pictures of allowed bits it shows it?? Other thing is, I went to the saddlery yesterday to ask the girl there and we found a bit which is flexible, but you can see metal in the hole around the loosering part (if that makes any sense).. how am I supposed to know whether that metal continues through it or not, and if I can't tell how will the ground jury? How exactly is this rule going to be checked??

[biggirl]

just spoken to Vicki Bugess and this new rule regarding bits not metal will be trialled in staight Dressage for 12 months, so the old rules are still in place. If you have any questions regarding bits you may take your bit to the T.D before you compete.
As for your hat question which I'm guessing you mean top hat with tails, you can wear a riding jacket and the helmets that are standards approved.
hope that helps

[Keira]

thankyou that's great

[cm]

And hey, Keira, you wore your helmet with your tails and rubber bit and WON the dressage phase of the 2** at Sydney 3DE with a fabulous test!!! Just wanted to congratulate you.

[vicki]

I am trying to get an FEI ruling on rubber bits.

The FEI dressage rules say that 'flexable' rubber bits are not allowed...seems wrong to me but I don't want to see anyone eliminated in 2009 for having a flexible rubber bit.

I will post when I have an answer.