United State Equestrian Federation – Bulletin 1/27/11

Protective Headgear Rules for Dressage

 Effective March 1, 2011, the following rules apply to Dressage Competitions and Regular Competitions holding Dressage classes:

1. Riders under age 18 must wear protective headgear, as defined by DR120.5 and in compliance with GR801, at all times while mounted on the competition grounds. This includes non-competing riders as well as those competing at any level.
    
2. While on horses competing in national level tests (Fourth Level and below), riders must wear protective headgear as defined by DR120.5 and in compliance with GR801, at all times while mounted on the competition grounds. This includes non-competing riders on horses competing in national level tests.
    
3. While on horses competing in USEF or FEI Young Horse Tests, and FEI Junior Tests, riders must wear protective headgear as defined by DR120.5 and in compliance with GR801, at all times while mounted on the competition grounds.
    
4. All riders competing in Para-Equestrian tests must wear protective headgear at all times while mounted on the competition grounds. Riders who compete in PE tests must wear protective headgear on every horse they ride, no matter the level or test.
    
5. All riders of any age while on non-competing horses must wear protective headgear at all times while mounted on the competition grounds.
    
6. All riders under age 18 and all riders while on horses competing in national level tests, who choose to wear Armed Services or police uniform, must wear protective headgear as defined in DR120.5 and in compliance with GR801 at all times while mounted on the competition grounds. Riders age 18 and over who wear Armed Services or police uniform on horses that are competing onlyin FEI levels and tests at the Prix St. Georges level and above must wear either protective headgear or the appropriate military/police cap or hat for their branch of service.
    
7. When a horse is competing in both national and FEI levels or tests (e.g. Fourth Level and PSG), the rider must wear protective headgear at all times when mounted on that horse on the competition grounds and during all tests.
    
8. While on horses that are competing onlyin FEI levels and tests at the Prix St. Georges level and above (including FEI Young Rider Tests, the USEF Developing Prix St. Georges Test and the USEF Brentina Cup Test), riders age 18 and over are not required to wear protective headgear in warm up or during competition. However, these riders may wear protective headgear without penalty from the judge.
    
9. In FEI-recognized (CDI, CDI-Y, CDI-J, CDI-P, etc.) classes, FEI rules take precedence and protective headgear is permitted but not required.
    
10. All riders while on horses competing in national level classes such as Equitation, Materiale and DSHB Under Saddle are required to wear protective headgear at all times when mounted on the competition grounds.
     

Protective headgear is defined as a riding helmet which meets or exceeds ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)/SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) standards for equestrian use and carries the SEI tag. The headgear and harness must be secured and properly fitted. Any rider violating this rule at any time must immediately be prohibited from further riding until such headgear is properly in place.

Recommendation to competitions:
In order to distinguish riders who are required to wear protective headgear from those who aren’t, it is suggested that entry numbers in a different sequence be assigned to the entries in each group (e.g. use numbers from 1-700 for entries where riders must wear protective headgear and use numbers from 800 and above for entries where riders are not required to use protective headgear).

Short summary statement for use in prize lists:
Effective March 1, 2011, for dressage: Anyone mounted on a horse must wear protective headgear except those riders age 18 and over while on horses that are competing onlyin FEI levels and tests at the Prix St. Georges level and above (including FEI Young Rider Tests, the USEF Developing Prix St. Georges Test and the USEF Brentina Cup Test).

This was approved by the Board of Directors at the Annual USEF meeting.  The new rule will apply to dressage and eventing riders.  This rule is effective immediately. Listed below is a link to the article released by the USEF communications department.

http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=6569&star=true

I’m personally very pleased with this ruling.  Rider safety should come before what is considered “trendy.”  I wrote a little about this topic last year in the article , The “Dress” in Dressage.  I think unfortunately for many there is a stigma around safety helmets that they distinguish you as a “lower level”  rider or that your horse may be unruly.  I am a lower level rider and I wear a safety helmet so it doesn’t really bother me much. But if you are a professional, then most are wearing a hunt cap, bowler, or top hat.   Now the decision is easy… if you are at fourth level or lower put on your safety helmet!  The only riders that may where a top hat or bowler will be those competing in the FEI tests.  Of course no one will be penalized for wearing a safety helmet at any level.  I also think this will be good for our young riders by providing them with good role modeling.  Lets focus on making our safety helmets more “trendy” instead of sacrificing our safety for what looks good.   A big thumbs up from me to the USEF! 

Review this article on a riders quest to create the top-hat helmet

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/english/dressage/top_hat_helmet_022210/

I found it sad that she felt she would “handicap” her horse by wearing a safety helmet.  Hopefully this new ruling will make safety an important part of the sport!

What do you think about the new ruling?

Articles on the sale of Moorlands Totilas 

http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/totilas-coveted-his-neighbor 

http://eventingnation.com/home/2010/10/sold-moorlands-totilas.html 

http://www.dressagedaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5518:dressage-sensation-totilas-sold-to-paul-schockemohle&catid=150:breeding-news&Itemid=61 

Now that the World Equestrian Games have come to a close. I would love to hear your opinions.  Was anyone able to attend?  If so, what was it like?  Did you have an enjoyable experience or were the large crowds and pricey tickets not worth shelping all the way to KY.  I’ve stayed glued to my TV and computer to catch what I could.  I was torn up like most… that Adelinde Cornelissen wasn’t able to compete due to a cut on her horse’s tongue.  I can relate to her story and would love to see a once school teacher at the World Equestrian Games. What a tough break! Anyone that didn’t catch that I copied and pasted the article below.  I have to say… after watching all of the rides my favorite was Steffen Peters on Ravel.   I know…I know…of course I am going to like the U.S. competitor the best, but I feel like his ride was the most technically difficult and entertaining to watch.  What did you think? Would you sell Totilas if you were offered 21 mil for him?   Of course I have to copy and paste Steffan and Ravel below . 

Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival eliminated 

http://www.alltechfeigames.com/news/detail.aspx?id=5502 

Steffen Peters, Ravel 2010 WEG Freestyle

In honor of the upcoming games, I embedded one of my favorite freestyles of Andreas Helgstrand on Blue Hors Matine at the World Equestrian Games in 2006.  They are an unbelievably talented pair.  Owning two mares myself, I am slightly partial to them and their fantastic mood swings.  What I do know… is when you catch a mare in the “right” mood…there is nothing like them .  Enjoy the video!

Tina Konyot with Calecto V, 12-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion

Todd Flettric with Otto, a 14 year old Danish Warmblood gelding

Katherine Bateson -Chandler with Nartan, a 15 year old KWPN gelding

Steffen Peters with Ravel, a 12 year old KWPN gelding

Catherine Haddad with Winyamaro, a 10 year old Hannovarian gelding

Pierre St. Jacques with Lucky Tiger, a 15 year old Danish Warmblood gelding

Sue Blinks with Encinitas, a 12 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding

Jan Ebeling with Rafalca, a 13 year old Oldenburg mare

The official “Team” and alternates will be named sometime before the September 22nd deadline.  I did notice a good showing for the geldings, however, something in my underdog gut makes me want to root for the mare at the bottom of the list.

My big question is, Are you going?  For me and my finances and this bad economy, pretty much any extra money I have goes into my farm.  My horses come first, so that means I will be viewing the games the best I can from home.  I will be doing some research to see how to best follow the games and will let you know what I find out.   I would love to hear from those of you going to the games and what types of difficulties you have been having getting tickets, etc.

References

Horse Channel.com

The AllTech FEI 2010 World Equestrian Games

Our horses feel everything including when we are nervous

So far I have participated in two schooling shows this spring.  This is the first showing I have done in 4 years.  I wrangled all of my show clothes out of my closet.  I was actually amazed at everything I did have. Shopping in your closest without having to spend any green stuff is great! I did a quick review of the rule book in case anything has changed since last time I showed. I set-up some lessons with my trainer to get us on the right track.   Then…I went to a show.

Getting back into showing, I’ve been dealing with some show nerves.  I believe it is a personal battle all of us that show fight.   We run this internal dialogue that goes something like this.

“What if we make a scene in the ring?”

“I wonder how many people will be watching?”

“What if I forget my test?”

Any and all of the above we feel would be sooo embarrassing and decide to ourselves, “I’m not sure if I can do this.”  Then, what does that tell our horse? “I’m not sure if WE should do this.”  We have to remember horses are flight animals.  If you have built a good relationship with your horse, then your horse believes you are dominate between the two of you.  Horses look to the dominate horse or person, to see if they should be nervous, relaxed, run away, eat, etc.  If you are nervous, then your horse thinks he or she should be nervous too.  A nervous tense dressage test is not a good test.

So… I think to myself, why am I nervous?  I think the big thing with me is expectation.  I currently have the honor to ride a very talented horse. This horse was only shown by a professional rider and they were very successful. This mare and I have had some time away from showing and we are getting back in shape together.  I think my big fear was that many would see her name and expect these perfect tests.  I’m just me, an amateur without the perfect position, who makes mistakes, and gets…nervous.  So you say – why should I care what others think?  Your right… I shouldn’t! I’m trying to change my internal dialogue to think about the big picture.  I need to pick out improvements I can find in any test and how those improvements will help us in the long term and not worry so much about the scores we are putting up.

I think all of us need to remember…Hey at least we out here doing it and giving our best shot.  We didn’t choose the comfort of our own rings. We chose to step outside of our comfort zone to be tested, so we can understand how to improve and progress.   That is the ultimate point of shows right, for horses and riders to learn and build the skills to progress in their chosen sport?  We need to make sure to give ourselves some points just for arriving on show day!

All this thinking about nerves made me do a little researching on how riders help to control their show nerves.  Here are some tips I came across.

• Eat a good breakfast -  You probably won’t want to eat before your classes, so eat a good breakfast and give yourself time to digest
  

  Breakfast is good for you!

• Arrive with plenty of time – Rushing makes anyone nervous, so plan plenty of time to get to the show, set up your trailer, a few minutes for your horse to acclimate to surroundings, get yourself dressed, get your horse dressed, and get on!
• Have your things organized – Organize your show brushes, tack, clothes so you know where everything is and you don’t get that sick feeling in your stomach that you left something at home.  I have two of many of my things so just in case something gets left, I have another.
• Listen to music – Pick out your favorite tune and chill out with your ipod while you are getting ready.
• Know your test – Run your test through your head and know it inside and out.  I do this one a lot.  I have forgotten a test before and it is a terrible feeling. I make sure to visualize riding through the test to help me remember.
• Breathe slow – Take some deep breaths and also make sure you keep breathing.  I know some people (particularly jumpers) that when they get nervous they forget to breathe.  They come off of a course and can’t catch their breath. If you aren’t breathing you are tense!
• Laugh – Humor can be the cure for all ills right?  Think of a good joke or laugh of if your horse is being silly or spooky.  A light laugh or smile will relax you and that feeling will move down into your horse.

During the Test

• Think about you next movement -What is your next movement and how are you going to prepare for it?  Don’t completely lose the movement you are currently doing in the process though.
• Sing a song in your head –  I remember when I used to show my older mare and I was working on our tempo. I had this little song in my head I would sing to try to keep a beat.  It worked great and it also helped to keep me relaxed.  I think I may have to come up with a song for my new mare too!

I think the biggest cure for nerves is practice.  Why do professionals have nerves of steel, because showing is part of their job and they do it a lot.  I think the more we get out the more comfortable we will feel.

In closing, I throw the question back out to those of you that show.  How do you deal with show nerves?  What methods work the best for you? Maybe you have some ideas that could help the rest of us.  If you do, please feel free to share!

A Dressage Scribe

Scribe or Sit with a Judge – Scribing is a great way to learn what a judge looks for in a good test.  Shows love having volunteer scribes and you will learn great deal.  Scribing is one of my favorites, I just can’t quite figure out how to watch my paper and the horse at the same time yet.

Don’t Warm Up your Horse Too Much.  This can be hard to gauge and you will need to know your horse well to warm him or her up correctly.  Make sure to check the show time so you know if the show is running ahead or behind schedule.  Warm up is not a time for training.  If your horse is having a bit of trouble with a movement, don’t drill as if you were training at home.  Usually drilling will make the situation worse.  Just accept what you have to work with that day and do the best you can.  Keep in mind the weather and its impact on your horse. An extremely hot day can definitely change how your horse preforms.  The key to this tip, practice, practice, practice and know your horse. 

Always Prepare for Your Next Movement  – Have your next test movement in your head and prepare your horse before the movement is to be asked.  You however don’t want your horse to anticipate the movement.  This can be a tricky balancing act between preparation and anticipation.  Keeping a variety while working at home can help with anticipation. 

Ride Your Fullest Potential – Don’t turn into stone the minute you enter the dressage arena and forget to ride your horse.  Your horse needs guidance and direction from you.  Make sure you are not so conservative you don’t allow your horse quality movements.   

Entrance and Exit Halts are Important!  These are the first and last things the judge sees in your test so make sure these movements are good.  

Read the Directions and Purpose of the Test – Each dressage test has the directions and purpose written at the top of the test.  Read those to get a better understanding of what the judge expects to see out of you and your horse when preforming.  

Halt at X- Halts should be at X (if designated on the test). Remember at the lower levels you may ride the halt through the walk.  It is better to ride the halt through the walk at be at X than to overshoot X.   Occasionally you may ride a test where a judge will be at B or E then your precision will really be put to the “test.”  

Do you have any tips on ways to improve a dressage score?  If so, please feel free to share so we can all learn with you.

Don’t you just  love the dressage information highway!  I enjoyed Tracey’s version of the presentation myself and wanted to pass it on to my readers with a few of my own little comments too .   Of course I asked Tracey’s permission. 

Ways to Improve your Dressage Score

Be Accurate!   Many riders lose points on dressage tests because of inaccuracy.  Take the time to really look at the dressage arena and its measurements so you can understand the exact dimensions and where you should be preforming movements.  Start and end movements at letters, but also plan for turns.  You may have to turn slightly early to reach a letter in a correct place.   Focus your eyes slightly ahead of the letter to make sure you arrive at the letter correctly.  Serpentines are where many lose points (that’s why they are in our tests, to get us!)  Make sure you are parallel to the center line when making your loops. Don’t let your serpentine get snake like. Also, don’t go into the corner at the beginning of the serpentine. 

Corners are Your Friend  -  Make sure to use your corners.  You don’t need to bury your horse in the corner. The higher the level you are riding the deeper the judge will expect you to ride in your corners.  Your horse’s head should not look to the outside!  Practicing shoulder-fore position at home can help you ride better corners.  Also, don’t forget the short side of the arena is important too.  Don’t take a break because that is one of the few times the judge has a side profile of you and your horse.  

Post at the Trot in Training Level – When competing at training level many horses have not developed their muscles to be comfortable carry a rider in the sitting trot.  Riders may also not have developed a good sitting trot.  You are allowed to post so go ahead and post.  You will have plenty of time to sit once out of training level. 

Show One Level Below Where You are Currently Training:  The general rule is to show one level below where you are training.  This is refering to recognized shows.  Schooling shows are a bit of a different story and may be a place where you can test out a new level or skills you have been practicing at home.  

Wear Gloves when Riding - You do not want your reins too long and many riders ride with their reins too long.  Gloves can help prevent the reins from slipping through your fingers.  You should ALWAYS ride with gloves.  Many mistake long reins for a soft connection when actually long reins can be a more harsh connection with your horse’s mouth.  

Don’t Ride with Your Stirrups Too Long - You should be able to flex your ankle in your stirrups.  Too long of stirrups may cause you to lose a stirrup or have too much movement in your leg. 

Correct Mistakes Quickly and Quietly – If you get the wrong lead, make sure to change it.  Thinking the judge won’t notice is not a good plan.  They always notice!  The judge would much rather see you correct a mistake and move on to the next movement.  If you don’t correct a mistake you could be chancing a big fat 0 for your score.  If you fix your lead, the judge will at least get a few strides of a correct canter to give you a score. 

Lendon Gray’s Dressage 4 Kids Website – A great website to interest youth in dressage. http://www.dressage4kids.com/

Some of you new to dressage may wonder, “what exactly is hyperflexion or rollkur?” These terms refer to working a horse where his or her head is behind the vertical. According to proper classical dressage technique, the horse’s head should be perpendicular to the ground. A way to visualize this is to picture an imaginary line coming straight down from the horses eye; the horse’s nostril should not fall behind this line. Terms you might hear from a judge if your horse is hyperflexed would include behind the vertical and overflexed. The concern, is that many riders and trainers are consistently using hyperflexion as a training method to get fast results and more exaggerated movements. Horse’s are being overflexed for extended periods of time which could cause physical damage as well as behavior problems. Below I found another video which helps to explain the concept of abused hyperflexion and rollkur.

Sooo… what do I think about the topic? I think any kind of training technique taken to an extreme can be harmful to an animal including horses. A whip used improperly can be a very bad training tool. If used properly, it can be a great subtle way to communicate with your horse. The same goes with spurs. Spurs are not made to dig into your horse’s side when he or she does something you don’t like them to do. They should be used as a enhance communication and even lighten the use of your aids. Hyperflexion when abused is harmful, however, many use stretching techniques with their horses to help improve muscle elasticity and suppleness. I’m sure some of you have done the treat trick where you hold a horse treat close to your horses chest and they stretch their necks to reach the treat. You don’t hold the treat there for 1/2 an hour, just for a brief moment and your horse stretches and takes the treat. You can also do the same stretch to the sides of your horse. I bet many of you will agree with me this is not harmful to your horse other than they may get too many treats and gain weight . Many of us do stretching exercises when warming up our horses, but do not trot around the ring for 1/2 and hour with our horse’s face to his chest.

I think a picture taking out of context of an entire ride can look much worse that it may actually be. On the other hand, I have scribed for test where myself and the judge were cringing each time the horse’s nose touched his chest, I just wanted to yell “STOP DOING THAT, JUST STOP!”

I am glad to see action is being taking to regulate these training methods. Creating standards for Stewards is a great start. The next place to go is judge and instructor certification programs. Specific dialogs should be included in these programs regarding hyperflexion. I’m sure some commentary is already present. I can think way back to my when I was a beginner dressage rider, I knew what overflexed was right away and that it was incorrect. Possibly if this topic is stressed with up and coming judges and instructors fresh out of training, the mindset of hyperflexion overuse can be changed.

It would be great to hear from the instructors, judges, and riders out there? What do you think about the hyperflexion controversy? What are your opinions on the FEI’s decisions?

This morning I decided I wanted to write about the idea of “showing.” To show or not to show is a question most of us riders ask ourselves at one time or another. Each of us goes through that internal battle involving fear of the “center stage” and the idea of achievement and accomplishing goals. I decided to explore the pros and cons to competing at shows.

Reasons showing may be good for you and your horse:

• You Set Goals- To compete at a show you automatically set goals for yourself and your horse. ” I would like to be able to do a Training Level Test 1 by May of this year. By the end of the year, I would like get above a 60% in a Training Level Test.” Setting goals to compete may help to movtivate you at home to keep up your regular riding and lessons. This makes you develop your skills as well as your horse’s.
• You Gain a Personal Barometer – Competing in front of a judge and receiving a scores helps you determine where you and your horse are in your training.
• Observation- When you attend a show you get the opportunity to watch others. This is a great chance to learn from other riders and see more advanced tests you are working toward preformed.
• Awards- You can win awards through showing if you are a member of an association. If you are interested in become an instructor or a judge, you are required to show and receive scores at a certian level to receive certification.
• New Environment – Showing exposes your horse to different environments and places.

Reasons riders choose not to show:

• 

  Most of us hope we don't look like this on show day, but there will always be bad days.

  Show Ring Fear and Anxiety- I think every rider has some anxiety before coming into the show ring. I have learned the more you show the better the fear gets, but it never entirely goes away. I think it is just part of the sport.

• My Horse Goes Crazy in New Environment – That is true for many horses, a show is a very exciting place to be. There are all kinds or horses and smells and ohhhh so many flower boxes filled with little monsters waiting for horse legs to pass by! If your horse never goes anywhere, of course a new place will be a challenge. One of the keys to horses like most other animals is Routine! If going to a show becomes part of your horse’s routine then your horse will take it as everyday life (filled with lots of poop to smell).
• Expense - Showing is expensive. I struggle with this one myself. Especially if you decide to go to a big overnight recognized show, your are talking quite a bit of money. Local schooling shows can be much cheaper, however your scores will not go towards certifications. I definitely recommend starting at schooling shows though. I know as an amateur some of the challenge programs will give you a class discount. Those can be cheaper than paying for classes separately.
• Transportation – you will need a way to get to and from the show. If you board possibly you can catch a ride with someone at your barn.
• I Just Don’t Want To - That is a perfectly good reason. If you enjoy trail riding or pleasure riding your horse at home and that is what makes you and your horse happy, then that is what you should do! Riding is a hobby for many of us and it should be fun. If showing begins to make your riding not fun or a chore then maybe you should take a break.

Showing can be a lot of fun especially if you have friends to show their horses with you. You may decide showing is not for you, but don’t let fear of the show ring be the major obstacle that stops you. All of us have that fear and there will be plenty of other riders struggling with the same issue.

How about you? How have you decided to show or not to show? Did you try to show and it went badly? Maybe you did show and got hooked. I would love to hear your thoughts and comments!

Dressage Rider in Show Attire

I flashed back to a time when I was scribing at a show this past year. I love to scribe! Not only do you learn how to write faster than the speed of light, but you also get to hear all kinds of insightful tidbits from judges. Somehow I and the judge were discussing proper dress for the show ring. The issue of gloves came up. A rider came in the ring with black gloves on. The judge tilted her head a little and said to me, “if a rider is riding in black gloves, I keep my eyes on them even more in-case they are trying to hide something with their hands.” “Are white gloves preferred then,” I returned. She hesitated and replied “well they are more…umm…traditional.” Enough said. At that point, I felt a strange feeling in my stomach. Let’s flash back a bit further so you understand why I had that feeling. Probably about 15 years ago before my very first dressage show, I asked my instructor at the time what to wear for gloves. She said you should wear white or black. I thought to myself “well I guess I will wear black.” Then they will match my jacket. I have enough trouble trying to keep my white pants clean, but gloves, they would look awful in no time. Yep, that’s right for the past 15 years, I have been wearing black gloves, hence the weird feeling in my stomach. I have blissfully been wearing black never realizing it may give certain judges the idea I was hiding something and possibly giving them a negative impression the moment I entered the show ring. Yikes! What does that teach us? If you want to be safe, wear white folks. Anyone that knows me will laugh at my beautiful new white gloves I got for Christmas, that I WILL be wearing, should I make it to the show ring!

This new glove breakthrough got me thinking about other rules of dress for dressage. So what did I do? I went to the USEF rule book to see what it really said. Here is the quote out of the USEF rule book in the Dressage Section concerning dress.

USEF Rule Book – Dressage

“The dress code for Training through Fourth Levels is a short riding coat of conservative color, with tie, choker or stock tie, white or light-colored breeches or jodhpurs, boots or jodhpur boots, a hunt cap or riding hat with a hard shell, derby or top hat. A cutaway coat (modified tail coat) with short tails is permitted. Half chaps, gaiters and/or leggings are not allowed. Gloves of conservative color are recommended. Exception: Riders through First Level may wear half-chaps, gaiters or leggings in solid black or brown, without fringe, matching the color of their boots, and made of smooth leather or leather-like material… For all tests above Fourth Level, the dress code is: a dark tailcoat with top hat, or a dark jacket with a bowler hat or hunt cap, and white or light colored breeches, stock or tie, gloves, and black riding boots. Spurs are mandatory for FEI tests (except as noted above under DR120.1). (See DR120.8)”

When you read the rules they are pretty vague. I always had this idea that you should wear certain head apparel depending on your level of riding. Over several years of observing other riders, I derived you wore, Training – First levels – hunt cap, Second – Fourth levels – bowler, above Fourth – top hat. After reading the rules closely, I realized I must have just completely made it up. I wondered… “How on earth did I come up with this strange hat rule?” I probably watched the professional riders and assumed there was some kind of standard. After reviewing the rules, it seems the “hat hierarchy” isn’t really a written rule, but more of a social standard we set ourselves. I obviously wouldn’t ride a Training Level test in a top hat. The top hat seems kind of sacred to me and something you have to earn to wear. What is fascinating to me is how I could completely make up a set of rules just by watching what people wear. It also makes me realize what power the professionals have in setting trends. What I would love to hear is your opinion about the topic. What type of dress is socially acceptable? If you are a professional, how do you choose what to wear? Could the attempt to dress within the rules, but possibly higher than your riding ability give a judge a negative impression? I guess to the perfectly unbiased judge none of this would matter, but after my glove experience sometimes it might…. think on it! My gift to you… wear white gloves!!!