Query for HP: You've said a couple of times that hunters isn't as bitchy as people think it is. Wouldn't marking someone down for competing with a hogged mane - if everything is turned out nicely and the riding is good - come under that umbrella? I wouldn't consider it the same as riding into the ring with say, a western saddle. Rather just a personal choice (that I also wouldn't consider outrageous, ie pink glitter stars stencilled on the rump). Would it really be that looked down upon in your area? Even at a low level?
No, it wouldn't come under the umbrella of bitchy. Hunters are very particular about attire and dress, it's in the USEF rules that anything considered not traditional can, and usually is, heavily penalized, that includes non-traditional tack (alot of different bits, all boots, german and running martingales, side reins, etc.) The best way I can explain it is that hunters are kind of like going to a conservative church, there's a dress code, and you might be asked to leave if you show up with a purple mohawk. It's a respect thing for the judge, and a roached mane is dissrespectful because it deviates from the perscribed attire. Now, at a very, very low level show it might be okay, but in all honestly, it is very looked down upon in my area at schooling shows.

"If riding were only blue ribbons and bright lights, I would have quit a long time ago"~ George Morris

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"Riding is first a sport, then an Art. That's why I make a lot of money"~George Morris

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