Horse & Hound
Trending: Luciana Diniz and As Taro
There are many essentials to check off your list before you jump a 1.60m grand prix track and we’d say a bridle is right up there not for Olympic showjumper Luciana Diniz, however.
The Portuguese rider campaigned her chestnut gelding As-Taro 2 for many years, clearing some of the biggest tracks on the international circuit with little more than a leather bit and reins.
Luciana explains: “He jumped enormously. But he was very sensitive in the neck. He felt very uncomfortable with a normal bridle, so I tried everything possible.
“Until I realised that he jumped really well when he is only ridden with a bit, not with a bridle. We then achieved many placings, including third place in the grand prix of Rio De Janeiro and fourth place in the grand prix of Estoril.”