Why are we required to have a st..

Brief：
i hate having to use a stupid stud chain over my horses nose for showmanship at fair. She is such a good horse and doesnt need it. i do parelli and ca.. 

I can do showmanship without a halter if I want to ( I have even competed in showmanship classes where you dont get to use a leadrope). If you are doing showmanship correctly, you don't even need to touch the chain. Whats the big deal about having it on and not using it? You arn't harming the horse by having the chain their just in case. Of course you aren't supposed to shank on it, or even use it really. It isn't cruel in anyway to use a stud chain correctly.

And the chain goes under the nose for showmanship, like others mentioned...

It's just a show standard, if I were you I would get used to it, because nothing is going to change. I can control my horse when I ride with out anything on its head, but I still use a bridle, I just dont touch the reins a whole lot. Same for showmanship. A stud shanks purpose is to help control the horse, but if you ask me, it should be optional as to whether or ot a horse should wear one. I think that if a horse is well behaved enough, it should not be required to wear a stud chain. At fairs around my area, stud chains are required, and I hate them. My horse hates them too; she isn't as well behaved with the chain on because it's uncomfortable for her. SOME people should use stud chains, otherwise their horses would be very difficult to control, but that doesn't mean EVERYBODY should. So virtually, I agree with you on this one!