Tradition is part of many disciplines, and if you don't like the rules, then don't show there, or work from within the organization to implement rule changes
Working cowhorse training, follows Vaquero tradition, in creating a Spade bit horse
Western riding 'tradition', far as showing, expects horse 5 and over, to be ridden in a curb, one handed, and again, if you just trail ride, does not affect you
That expectations indicates advanced training to me, and when I see a western hrose that needs to be ridden with two hands, again, shows lack of training, to me and many other western horsemen
Reining, also follows the same rules, far as showing in regular NRHA classes, in that a jr horse can be ridden in either a bosal or a snaffle,biut a senior horse must be shown one handed in a curb, and this is not due to that curb granting more control, ect, but the simple fact it is way, way, way easier to show a horse with two hands, then to show him compeltely off of that indirect rein, and a horse 5 and over, is expected to have that enducation.
The western curb was developed to facilitate riding with one hand, as it is better suited for that, then a snaffle, and "traditionally', the reason for this, was to keep the other hand free for roping, ect. It is also why, most western show people ride with their left hand, as most are right handed, thus leaving that right hand free.. I started out self taught, thus ride with my right hand on the reins, which is not a DQ, but rather not 'typical', and does have some disadvanatges , working trail obstacles, which are set up to be ridden left handed. I thus have to change hands at some obstacles, then change back, before leaving obstacle, as rules state you have to ride from that obstacle, using same hand you rode up to it
Free style reining, is a non pointed NRHA class, thus allows riders great degree of what bit,if any, or two hands versus one hand
You will thus see competitors in freestyle reining, going from one extreme to the other-that of using two hands on a curb,, to using nothing at all on the head, as per Stacy Westfall
Thus, my only question far as dressage, can not that free style also allow deviation from 'tradition ?
Sometimes 'green horse western classes are added to regular shows, where even a senior western horse can be shown with two hands. However, these classes do not earn regular points
Thus, my slant on bittless, versus bit, is based on western expectations, where a senior horse is expected to be able to be ridden one handed, and a curb is the best choice for that