{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}

Bridleless not Brainless to team chase in bitless bridles


  • The fundraising team chasers formerly known as Bridleless not Brainless – who threatened to give up the sport in protest at new safety rules – have announced they will continue, but in bitless bridles.

    Team captain Mark Smith told H&H last month it was doubtful the team would continue.

    It followed an amendment to the rulebook that stated horses must be ridden “in a bridle with reins directly attached to a bit… or a purpose-designed bitless bridle”.

    The team had previously competed in pink headcollars.

    Mr Smith said two teams would compete this season in bitless bridles – adorned in their familiar bright pink – to raise money for breast cancer charities.

    “We have decided not to allow dogma to destroy our training and fundraising ethic,” he said.

    In a nod to how aggrieved Mr Smith feels about the changes, one of the teams will be called B*llocks but Still Bitless.

    Mr Smith previously captained 2007 national champions, B*llocks to Blair.

    James Buckle, chairman of the Masters of Foxhounds Association team chasing committee, said: “It would have been a real shame if Mark had given up team chasing just because of a rule change. It will be great to see him out.”

    This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (1 March 2012)

    Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout major shows like London International and more with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

    You may like...