Bitless bridles allowed in competitions (in The Netherlands)

Unfortunately, not all bitless bridles are yet allowed in competitive sports in the Netherlands, and not at every level.

As of April 1, 2025, the KNHS rules for bitless riding will be better

Until now, bitless riding was possible in dressage tests up to and including the ZZ-Licht class, for both horses and ponies. From the ZZ-Zwaar class, bitless riding was only allowed outside competition. However, as of April 1, 2025, this will change, and it will also be possible for riders up to and including the ZZ-Zwaar class. The jury will pay the same attention to harmony, contact and the correct execution of the exercises for bitless combinations. Good news! But not all bitless bridles are allowed.

Which bridles are? 

- Sidepull 
- Crossunder
- Cheekcross

With this in mind, the bridle must be made of leather, with a noseband of at least 2 cm wide without metal in the noseband (common sense if you ask us). 

Is the hackamore allowed in competitive sport?

The hackamore is officially not allowed in dressage competitions, but it is allowed in show jumping from 130 cm and then again not for ponies. According to the KNHS, this is in line with the rules of the FEI:

On the FEI website you can only find information about the mechanical hackamore with super longer shanks and a chin chain, this is absolutely not a kind bitless bridle for your horse! This is the only bitless bridle that may be used in higher show jumping, even in combination with a bit…

Up to Z you are allowed to start show jumping competitions with a sidepull bridle. Time for a reconsideration of these dusty regulations, don't you think?

If you are not from the Netherlands, what are the bitless rules in your country?

View our bitless bridle collection here, want to know more about the different types of bitless bridle, you might find this blog interesting!