Professional bitless equestrians?

Question

I’m doing a project and I need to know the names of some bitless equestrians (preferably jumpers, hunters, equitation, dressage, or cross country). I know there’s a couple jumpers that are bitless but not sure about the other sports. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

Answer 1

There are a lot of disciplines which prohibit riders from going "bitless" Dressage is one of these- ALL dressage horses must be ridden with a bridle that has an appropriate bit for the level the horse is being competed or shown at. The same is true for horses in eventing. Event horses cannot be ridden in a mechanical hackamore in either the dressage phase or the speed/endurance phase (what most people call "cross country") and because this is true, the hacks are prohibited in the show jumping phase as well.

Show jumping is just about the only place where you'll see horses ridden without bits, in mechanical hackamores, other than endurance riding, that is.

Answer 2

Many endurance riders ride in either a little S ( a type of hackamore) or a rope halter. A few ride in bosal's which are very nose pressure units but it's more rare. I could not do that on my horse ( a TB) . But a few of these seasoned Arabians just are that quiet and smart. There's a big motivation in endurance to be bitless so your horse can eat and drink on trail more easily.

Answer 3

The only "bitless" jumpers I am aware of use mechanical hacks, which are at least as harsh as a curb bit, and don't count as bitless. Same with cross country.

Bitless is not allowed in dressage.