what bit for showing?

[jamiecmiles]

Hi please can anyone help? My 10 year old daughter has recently got a new sec b cross pony. She has done a little bit of low jumping but is now interested in having a go at showing.A couple of people have said they think they would do well.
So yeaterday we went and watched a showing class and we were asked to enter her in the equitation as a taster.There were only 3 in the class and she rode lovely and came first. But the judge said if we were to do anything like this again we were to loose the martingale.The pony carries his head quite high.He was riden in a double bridle by previous owners and carried his self lovely, but i dont want my daughter to use a double bridle.Someone else suggested a wilkie bit may help? does anybody else agree with this? or have any other ideas?

[xloopylozzax]

what do you use normally at home?
wilkie bits are popular (if they are the ones with the little rings inside the big ring) I personally dont like them, but people do well with them its just taste i suppose.

[jamiecmiles]

Hi, he is ridden in the bit that came with wich(as i have been told) is a d-ring snaffle, it has little copper coloured pieces on it.

[xloopylozzax]

roller pieces?

if it is just a d ring snaffle like this
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1265/1007286905_787547763f.jpg?v=0
and the pony goes well and your daughter is confident then stick with it.
dont think there is any problems at local or higher level, there is just more 'fad' bits that are common, which you will have seen.

someone else will be able to confirm this cos i havent and dont show little ponys :D

[stephanie bay]

my daughters pony had quite a high head carriage so we changed from a loose ring to a hanging cheek and schooed her with running martingale for a bit(she used to toss her head in canter) and once she realised she was just pulling against herself took it off and she no llonger tosses her head. We have done a lot of flatwork - transitions, transition transitions but she is now going lovely.

[beating_hooves]

Yes definately get rid of the martingale for showing.

May I ask why you don't want to use a double bridle?

[jamiecmiles]

firstly to one member yes that is the bit.




And secondly to another member, i dont have a real good reason for not using a double bridle. Its just i dont know if she would be ok riding with one.
The previous owner used a double bridle once and said she thought it was a lot of bit for a little pony.I dont know anything about it....
In some of the classes i have been told that only a snaffle is advised.

I really am confused and dont know what to do for the best.

[xloopylozzax]

if the pony goes well in the bit you use and your daughter is confident (2 reins is alot for small hands, and always the risk of riding off the curb rein if you use a double)

that bit is perfectly fine, they dont look in the mouth its just the D-rings they see!

for local level any bit will be ok really, just not the martingale.

you could always try the double and see if your daughter is ok with it if the pony goes better at home.

[sheer bliss]

If the pony puts her head high, what about a pelham? They are correct for showing and would give some help lowering the head - you could use roundings to lessen the poll action, until your daughter can ride with 2 reins

Below is a link to the most popular pelham I sell for ponies - the small port, is great for small mouths
www.scallywagsequinesupplies.co.uk/p/product/0709107292-MB+04+Low+Port+Comfort+Snaffle%2C+Pelham/
I also offer a bit bank :www.scallywagsequinesupplies.co.uk/p/category/0709146520-Myler+Bit+Bank/

Jill

[jamiecmiles]

thank you for your advice.i like the sound of your bit bank.#Will try to make a desision on which bit i would like to try many thanks