The trouble with elementary

Here we go again! Should I use a double bridle? Time and time again this question comes up on the forum. If the horse is not accepting the snaffle then what makes the rider think he will accept a double bridle? The worst sight of all is the elementary horse in a double bridle hoiked down on the curb while the rider does rising trot! Shoulder in is a thing of the past at this level instead we have leg yield. If done well leg yield is an attractive movement but mostly we see neck bend, head tilting and riders contorting their bodies to get the horse to the marker. Frankly, Id rather see a poor shoulder in than a bad leg yield. Im not against double bridles, some horses do go better in them than a snaffle, but these days too many horses have them on just to move up a level and submission and contact issues are too obvious. Why has rising trot been allowed at elementary? Appeasing riders who cannot sit to the trot is not constructive. If they were taught to work the horse correctly over the back they would find the sitting trot much easier anyway. So, has elementary now merely become and extension of novice? Will medium go the same way when the majority moan that they have no points left and medium is too difficult? Should we be prepared to see mediums in rising trot with no half passes or shoulder in?
Lets go the whole hog and let riders use draw reins! Riding in a double bridle correctly is an art. Too much curb and the poll drops and the horse gets on his shoulders. Hanging on to both reins gives contradictory messages to the horse and this can lead to open mouths, tongue rolling or tongue over the bit. All these issues will lose marks in the test. Going soft on riders and lessening the degree of difficulty is as bad as a liberal government going soft on crime and look where that has got us!!

I spent a blissful few hours in the sun watching our top talents schooling their horses today. It is amazing what you can learn by watching and listening. How refreshing to hear riders asking each other, 'what does this look like?' no wonder these riders can improve their marks when so much attention to detail is taken. Even I was asked 'what would you give this trot?' 'A seven,' I replied. 'why not an eight?' 'because...etc etc' away the rider went until an eight could be presented. That, ladies and gents, is training!!! Oh and only one horse had a double bridle on and that was a visitor!
Feeling inspired I returned home and jumped on board my mare to perfect our movements. The wind was blowing and everything in the yard rattled. She spooked and got tight and the performance was not what I had envissaged! We went off for a walk on a long rein around the fields, came back nice and relaxed and did another fifteen minutes schooling with a soft back and a relaxed attitude. Horse and rider happy and content! Sometimes less is more.