I would like to ask those here who drive multiple VSEs what recommendations you would make regarding harness- and, versatile vehicles-I am actively 'shopping' for a mini pair harness, and would love to hear your experiences/recommendations! I have one set of pair harness-breast collar, patent accents, breeching system where the straps go under the belly to fasten to a ring on the end of the false martingale 'loop' around the girth. As pair vehicles, I have both a back-to-back trap from Golden Carriage(the harness I have was 'made' to use with this, and works just fine), and also a buckboard, for parades and such. Though I don't anticipate being able to be a 'serious' CDE competitor-am too far from competitons,too old to get fully involved, have no one to help, live on a limited income,and honestly, am kind of reluctant to have what I do for fun be too much work(as in all that 'spiffing up' for the dressage/presentation portion of such competitions)-just to mention a few...however, I am one who will do without lots of things to be able to have something I REALLY want---and as long as I can balance that with the realities of my finances, I will 'go for it'! I have given thought to getting neck collars instead of breast collars, but wonder if I dare, given the difficulty in getting a correct fit that I read so much about! I want this harness, BTW, to use with the buckboard, but also possibly with a marathon-type vehicle, or at least, something light, tough, yet comfortable, that I could trail drive, but also use for at least "fun" marathon-type events-in other words, don't feel I need harness specifically 'pointed toward' marathon use, but more versatile? Here is where I would also appreciate your opinions and experiences regarding vehicles, as I have outlined above! I would like to hear thoughts about beta vs. leather,too,please! I do love brass, but realize that stainless is probably 'better' for ease of care-and I certainly am all for that(see above!) My horses are 34" and 32"; that is the size range I will stay in, as all of my other horses, whom I might pair up to drive, are also in the 33+" to 34" range, and very similar in body build. My 'everyday' singles harnesses are Smuckers Lite, in russet-in use for many years now-a Smuckers Pleasure, in black, and a Lutke fine show harness(Dale Lutke is a highly regarded maker of patent over betathane show harness for small ponies and minis.)I like them all; am in the process of selling the Lutke, because I am pretty much through with the mini breed show ring. I am very fond of Smuckers, but simply can't afford a Deluxe pairs harness from them(which I what I 'think' I would love to have!?) Sorry this is so long, but wanted to give everyone a good idea of where I am 'coming from'...any and all responses will be deeply appreciated-off list, if it seems prudent, so as not to clutter things up here? My email is NAMGO@xxxxxxx . Thanks to all! Margo Cox-Townsend _________________________________________________________ To Unsubscribe, change to Digest or Vacation mode go to: http://www.drivingpairs.com/dpmem.shtml `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````