Guidelines for Dressage Bits

GUIDELINES FOR

DRESSAGE BITS

Photo Credit: SusanJStickle.com

USEF/USDF COMPETITIONS

Please refer to USEF Dressage Rule, DR121 for the Saddlery & Equipment Rules. If you have a question regarding a bit that is not listed, please submit a picture of the bit to kbrett@usef.org.

Please be advised that this office only gives advisory opinions, not binding opinions, regarding the rules since ultimately it is the Federation Hearing Committee which applies facts and circumstances to the relevant rules and determines whether or not each fact constitutes a violation of the rules; and then only after a protest or charge of rule violation is brought before them. Nevertheless, the Federation is often asked to provide guidance regarding the rules and the Federation staff does try to be of assistance when the rules seem to have clear application to a described situation.

It should be noted, however, that the opinion expressed by a USEF staff member would not be binding on the Hearing Committee.

GUIDEL INES F O R D R E S S A G E B IT S

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR BIT? THE DIAMETER OF THE SNAFFLE MOUTHPIECE The diameter of the snaffle mouthpiece must be minimum 10 mm diameter at rings or cheeks of the mouthpiece (exception: for ponies, the diameter may be less than 10 mm). The diameter of a bit is measured at the rings or cheeks of the mouthpiece.

MEASUREMENT OF A SNAFFLE BIT TO ALLOW TONGUE RELIEF The maximum height of the deviation is 30 mm from the lower part of tongue side to the highest part of the deviation. The widest part of the deviation must be where the mouthpiece contacts the tongue and must have a minimum width of 30 mm.

CORRECT BIT MEASUREMENT The lever arm of the curb bit must not exceed 10cm (length below the mouthpiece). If the curb has a sliding mouthpiece, the lever arm of the curb

U S E F.O R G

3

bit below the mouthpiece must not measure more than 10 cm. when the mouthpiece is at the uppermost position.

BIT WRAPPED IN LATEX OR OTHER MATERIALS Bits may be made with a rubber or plastic covering, but the bit may not be modified by adding latex other material in USEF/USDF Licensed Competitions.

HERM SPRENGER The Herm Sprenger Comfort Mullen Mouth Snaffle is not allowed for USEF/ USDF competitions because the height of the ‘tongue relief area’ exceeds the 30mm allowed. DR121 states that “The maximum height of the deviation is 30mm from the lower part of tongue side to the highest part of the deviation.”

4

GUIDEL INES F O R D R E S S A G E B IT S

The Herm Sprenger KK Ultra B-Ring Baucher Bit is allowed for USEF/USDF competitions only when used with a snaffle bridle.

For FEI Level tests at USEF/USDF competitions, the Herm Sprenger KK Ultra Eggbutt Snaffle is allowed in a snaffle bridle and as the bridoon in a double bridle.

The Herm Sprenger Duo Loose Ring Snaffle is allowed for Training through Fourth Level at USEF/USDF competitions.

The Herm Sprenger Dynamic RS WH Ultra D-Ring Snaffle is allowed for USEF/ USDF competitions, in snaffle bridles and in double bridles as the bridoon.

The Herm Sprenger Flex Control Loose Ring is not allowed because it does meet the rule requirements for USEF/USDF competitions.

U S E F.O R G

5

The Herm Sprenger KK Correction Bit is not allowed because the height of the ‘tongue relief area’ exceeds the 30mm allowed. DR121 states that “The maximum height of the deviation is 30mm from the lower part of tongue side to the highest part of the deviation at USEF/USDF competitions.”

Measurement is taken between the 2 points indicated by the arrows per the current rule.

Tongue Relief: Height exceeds 30mm

Width is in compliance

The Herm Sprenger WH Ultra Soft Loose Ring Snaffle Bit (aka the Lisa Wilcox Bit) is allowed for USEF/USDF competitions in a snaffle bridle and in a double bridle as the bridoon.

Note the rubber portion covers the center link.

It does not roll.

The Herm Sprenger KK Ultra Aurigan Bradoon is allowed at USEF/USDF competitions, in a snaffle bridle and in a double bridle as the bridoon.

The Herm Sprenger Dynamic RS Aurigan Jointed Bradoon is allowed at USEF/ USDF competitions, in a snaffle bridle and in a double bridle as the bridoon.

6

GUIDEL INES F O R D R E S S A G E B IT S

MYLER BITS The Myler Low Port Comfort Snaffle/ Level 2/Eggbutt Plain Snaffle (MB04) is allowed when used with a snaffle bridle at USEF/USDF competitions.

The Myler HBT Low Port Mullen Mouth (MB06) is not allowed at USEF/USDF Competitions at First level.

The Myler Low Port Mullen Barrel Dee Ring (MB06, Level 2-3) is allowed for snaffle bridles because it meets the 30mm requirement at USEF/USDF competitions. It is allowed as a bridoon in a double bridle.

The Myler Low Port Mullen Barrel Eggbut (MB06) is allowed for snaffle bridles at USEF/USDF competitions as long as it does not have slots or hooks in the rings. It is allowed as a bridoon in a double bridle.

The Myler Eggbutt without Hooks with Stainless Steel Ported Barrel (MB33) is not allowed at USEF/USDF Competitions as it exceeds 30mm in height.

U S E F.O R G

7

The Myler Loose Ring with Stainless Steel Comfort Snaffle Wide Barrell (MB02) is permitted at USEF/USDF competitions for use in a snaffle bridle. It is not allowed when used as the bridoon in a double bridle.

HAPPY MOUTH The Happy Mouth Shaped Mullen Mouth Loose Ring Snaffle is not allowed at USEF/USDF competitions because it does not meet the tongue relief requirements definition and it is not considered to be a true mullen mouth.

Additionally the same mouthpiece in a curb bit is also not permitted.

The Happy Mouth Double Jointed Loose Ring Snaffle is allowed at USEF/ USDF competitions because only the center plastic piece rotates, not the entire linkage. Only a single rotating piece is permitted. It is allowed in a snaffle bridle and as the bridoon in a double bridle.

The Happy Mouth Plain Mullen Loose Ring is allowed in a snaffle bridle at USEF/USDF competitions. See Figure A, #6 of the USEF Dressage Rules. It is not allowed as a bridoon in a double bridle.

8

GUIDEL INES F O R D R E S S A G E B IT S

MIKMAR The Mikmar D-Ring French Link Roller Snaffle is allowed at USEF/USDF competitions in a snaffle bridle as long as there is only one rolling part. (the middle roller in this bit)

NEUE SCHULE VERBINDEND The Neue Schule Verbinded bit is allowed for USEF/USDF competitions in a snaffle bridle or as the bridoon in a double bridle. The mouthpiece exceeds the minimum of 10mm at the ring (bridoon) “shaped mouthpiece.” If used for Young Horse classes, must have a minimum 14mm diameter at the ring.

NEUE SCHULE ULTIMATE TONGUE RELIEF REVOLVER WEYMOUTH The Neue Schule Ultimate Tongue Relief Revolver Weymouth is allowed as a curb bit in a double bridle for USEF/USDF competitions. See Figure B, #8 and #9 of the USEF Dressage Rules.

U S E F.O R G

9

DR. BRISTOL SNAFFLE The Dr. Bristol Snaffle is not permitted in USEF/USDF competitions because the flat link in the center of the mouthpiece lays at an angle to the bit.

GOLDEN WINGS SNAFFLE The Stubben Golden Wings Snaffle is not permitted in USEF/USDF competitions. Although in concept a combination of 2 legal mouth types, the enlarged “wing” obscures the view of corners of lips.

STUBBEN STEELTEC 2254 EZ PRECISION D-RING BIT The Stubben Steeltec 2254 EZ Precision D-Ring Bit is allowed at USEF/ USDF competitions, in a snaffle bridle as the bridoon in a double bridle.

CORONET CURB LOW PORT FIXED WEYMOUTH BIT The Coronet Curb Low Port Fixed Weymouth Bit is permitted when used as the curb bit in a double bridle at USEF/USDF competitions.

Note: The lever arm of the curb bit is limited to 10cm length below the mouthpiece.

10

GUIDEL INES F O R D R E S S A G E B IT S

DEWSBURY REVOLVER CURB BIT 14MM The Dewsbury Revolver Curb Bit 14mm is allowed in USEF/USDF competitions, when used as the curb in a double bridle.

KELLY SILVER STAR – 3 PIECE HALF MOON EGGBUTT SNAFFLE The Kelly Silver Star – 3 Piece Half Moon Eggbutt Snaffle is allowed in a snaffle bridle at USEF/USDF competitions. It is not allowed as the bridoon in a double bridle.

Note: Similar bits would also be subject to measurement for tongue relief pursuant to DR121, Figure A description. Only bits that do not exceed 30mm would be permitted.

LORENZINI BITS LORENZINI SHOW JUMPING BIT WITH LOZENGE The Lorenzini Show Jumping Bit with Lozenge is not allowed at USEF/USDF competitions.

LORENZINI LOOSE RING BIT WITH LOZENGE The Lorenzini Loose Ring Bit with Lozenge is allowed at USEF/USDF competitions for use in a snaffle bridle and as the bridoon in a double bridle.

U S E F.O R G

11

JP KORSTEEL FRENCH MOUTH LOOSE RING SNAFFLE BIT The French Mouth Loose Ring Snaffle is allowed at USEF/USDF competitions for use in a snaffle bridle and as a bridoon in the double bridle.

HORSE & MORE 2 TYPE DOUBLE-JOINTED LOOSE RING SNAFFLE The Horse & More 2 Type Double-Jointed Loose Ring Snaffle is allowed at USEF/USDF competitions. This bit combines 2 legal types, the eggbutt and loose ring. It can be used in a snaffle bridle and as the bridoon in a double bridle.

12

GUIDEL INES F O R D R E S S A G E B IT S

U S E F.O R G

UNITED STATES EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION THE NATIONAL GOVERNING BODY FOR EQUESTRIAN SPORT usef.org © All rights reserved. 2014 by United States Equestrian Federation® Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.