soap box moment

It seems most of us got rained off yesterday (most unusual for me) so Moo had a massage, strapping and stretching session. Now he understands what it's all about he really seems to enjoy it. He does make me laugh when I'm strapping his bum because he lifts up his leg to let me know I have to scratch the bits he can't reach; bit like a dog.
Today was bright and dry so we went in the school to lunge. He was very calm in spite of the howling gale and we played with some trotting poles and it really gave him some *lift*. I'm also playing with the voice aid *up* and by clicking when he responds correctly I can now get him down or up on voice.....just need to work on the aids for mucking out and then I will have the perfect pony!!

So now....drum roll.....I step on to the soap box....

For those of you who have a working knowledge of francais then go to the link below on the French Federation web site. It is a dressage test for what seems to be the lowest *club* competition here in France. There isn't really any unaffiliated here, it's all affiliated to the FFE but this club test is about the level of prelim/novice in the UK (sorry those in the USA I don't know your levels).
I don't have any problems with the test, progressive transitions, working trot, 3 loop serpentine, 1/2 10m circle, leg yield etc BUT read the top. Snaffle bridle, GOGUE ALLOWED (yes I am shouting arrgghh) SPURS OPTIONAL (blimey I'm shouting again) is this the world gone mad??

http://www.ffe.com/66/67/150/File//reprises%20club%20ponam%202009/Club_Pr_liminaire.pdf

Surely this is wrong, riding a test in a gogue (I have my serious reservations about them even for training). Anyway, I'm off to view some of the test in a couple of weeks as they have a *concours* at our club and interestingly there is a young lady I have watched in a lesson who seems permanently to use a Gogue...bet she'll be competing. Watch this space.