ASK THE EXPERTS – July 2010

Q: Dear Expert, I moved up to Third level this year. Is it time for me to switch to a double bridle? Sincerely, Double or Nothing

A: Dear Double or Nothing,
Every year the USEF and USDF come up with numerous little rule-changes, and most of the time we hear about them only when we violate them. Who hasn’t gotten caught with a whip that is a fraction of an inch too long or wearing the wrong color shirt? I have and I am sure that I am not the only one.

This year however, there was a rule change that I knew was coming and I have been looking forward to it for a long time. We are finally allowed to ride the FEI-classes at the national shows in a snaffle. I was surprised that few, if any, took advantage of this change to put their horses back in a snaffle. When I showed in a snaffle at the FEI level, people asked only “WHY?” instead of saying “WAY TO GO!” In Germany, many riders use a snaffle at the national shows.

Why do most people like the double bridle so much? For starters, I think a lot of people use the double bridle because it looks “cool.” I remember that when I competed in my first international three-day event in 1977, we were allowed to use a double. Needless to say, I used one because I thought it look good. As a matter of fact I thought it looked so good that I used it in the show-jumping too. It was all about the “look.” I am sure that had I owned a top hat and tails, I would have worn them too.

Of course, it is true that when we get to Third and Fourth level, we have to do some movements, particularly flying changes and quarter-pirouettes, where we seek a little extra help (control???) and the first thing that comes to mind is the DOUBLE.

The very well-respected judge and trainer, Hilda Gurney, was one of the people who pushed for the return of the double bridle at Third level. She said that with the large number of very strong school-masters that appeared at this level, the double would benefit a lot of people. If that is the case, then I would like to ask her what she considers to be the definition of a “school-master”. Isn’t a school-master supposed to be a horse that even an amateur can ride with ease? I suggest that a horse is not much of a school-master if it needs a double bridle to stay in the ring! Furthermore, I cannot imagine that such a horse would be much of a confidence-builder for amateur riders.

In the same article, Ms. Gurney also describes how horses are supposed to go before making the step to the double. She writes: “You must have an independent hand and seat, and understand the very different but complementary actions of the two bits and reins. (The horse) should be able to consistently move uphill over his back, keep his shoulders and neck elevated, and stay in front of your leg. Otherwise, when you activate the curb, he’ll lower his neck, drop his shoulders, fall even more onto his forehand and break at the third vertebra instead of flexing at the poll. And if he is at all behind your leg, the double bridle will just back him off even more.”

I think that we can all agree with Hilda’s point of view. If your horse doesn’t go that way, the double is going to be a disaster. Now let’s be honest. When was the last time we saw a horse go that way?? Yes, Totillas comes to mind, along with Parcival, Ravell and a few others; but we surely do not see too many go that way at Third and Fourth level!!!

The point I am trying to make is that we have to be very careful with the decision about the double bridle. I like to use the snaffle because it gives me an honest barometer of the horse’s training. The CONNECTION with the horse’s mouth provides the feedback. It will tell us about the balance; it will tell us if the horse is in front of the leg; it will tell us if we have control over the horse’s shoulders. The snaffle is like a diagnostic computer. How?? If we have a soft feel he is most likely doing his work well; if he is heavy in all the exercises there are probably a few issues to be resolved. Many people will say that their horse is heavy in his mouth and that is an incorrect diagnosis. He just FEELS heavy; in reality, he is probably not in balance, not in front of the leg, etc. So do not try to make your horse’s mouth lighter, but “listen” to the mouth – let it tell you if/when your training is effective in making your horse perform in better balance. So if you are going to try to make your horse feel lighter with the help of a double bridle, then that is probably all that you will get – a slightly better feel in your hand – and that is if you are lucky. But you are not solving the real problem.

I am not a gambler. Are you??

Jules Nyssen grew up in Holland and began riding at an early age. After graduating from law school, instead of taking the bar exam, he moved to France to attend the Ecole Nationale d’Equitation (Cadre Noir), in Saumur. In 1983, Jules came to the U.S. He competed at the Rolex, won the Georgia Three Day Event, had several wins at the Devon CDI and the Tournament of Champions, and narrowly missed the opportunity to compete at the Barcelona Olympics due to an injury. Today, Jules, who runs marathons in his spare time, concentrates on Dressage. He has trained a number of horses to the Grand Prix level, and has recently shown at Intermediaire I in a snaffle. For more information, go to julesnyssendressage.com.