That makes sense. Like I said, I'm not familiar with the rules of the different federations, or why they do/don't approve different bits. I just know that there have been a lot of progress made with different organizations accepting leather bits, and a lot of people wishing they were dressage legal.
There definitely are people who want it. They just have held really firm on the smooth surface requirement.
There is a way to recess the stitching so that its virtually invisible. I'm headed down to my shop to work, maybe I'll play around with one.
I have quite a bit of rolled tack. I agree, but there is still a stitch line. When dealing with “rules” a stitch line is a stitch line unfortunately.
I've seen them rounded without. Whether its rolled or rounded with a rounder I dont know. Perhaps both. Attaching it to the rings would still yield a line of some sort, so therein would be the tricky part.
The stitch line on mine is recessed, you can't really feel anything when running your finger across it, and I highly doubt my horse feels it either. I will always find it odd that eventing dressage allows things that regular dressage does not. In my mind the rules should be the same across both. Especially if USEF/USDF is sighting the fact that they are afraid the bit will break, and yet allow it in eventing dressage.
I just finished up a demo with a ghost saddle! My guy has NEVER been happier and more forward. I have always been against treeless, however this saddle seems to be working wonders for him. I’ll be keeping a close eye on his back (along with chiro and massage). But now I can finally start to slowly get him down to a better weight with some steady exercise.
