Is plaiting necessary?

[Portia]

Hi - very very new to this, but want to at least look reasonable! Doing our first prelim in two weeks, have a dapple grey connemara - do I plait her? She does M&M shows so cant' pull her mane too much - what do I do??

[Mehitabel]

no, plaiting is not necessary, especially ith a breed whose correct turnout is unpliated.

[star]

echo that. i have a welsh d and i never plait him, even for affiliated.

[Portia]

thank you thank you - was DREADING pulling and plaiting her lovely thick mane, plus my plaits look more like xmas baubles :D .

[Lgd]

Full mane is acceptable at all levels - I have an Orlov who has a full mane and she's competing up to Advanced Medium, although I do lattice braid it to keep it out of the way a bit.