are dressage braids any different from hunter braids? does ti matter? any info about this would be great, thanks

Dressage braids are button braids, where hunter braids are zipper braids.

Here is a dressage picture: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/85/240095568_7c2134333a.jpg?v=0

and a hunter picture:
http://lizditz.typepad.com/photos/horse_photos_images/jimmy_braids.jpg

Generally, I was told at a dressage show in Holland when I showed there, was that you have to have a total even number of braids: like 13 down the neck, plus the forelock for 14 braids. Also, you have more tiny-er braids for hunter, and bigger fewer braids for dressage.
Have fun!

Is it manditory that you use the white tape? I often see dressage horses with it in.

No its not mandatory. Its totaly up to the rider. The white tape draws more attention to the braids which can be a good thing if your braids are very good but can also be a bad thing if they aren't so good. I have found that in recent years braiding with white tape has fallen slightly out of style, but you still see the occasional horse with it.

dressage braids are generally bigger and farther apart than hunter style braids. They are also mostly done with elastics or sewn together vs hunter braids being done with yarn.

The hunter braids are supposed to create an even flowing topline, and adjust any faults in the crest while creating a flush to the neck appearance. dressage braids often rise above the crest of the neck and are not used as much to correct the eveness crest.

The dressage braids as pictured in many of the magazines are a current "trendy" thing, however I have braided many dressage horses for A circuit competitions in the hunter yarn style and they judges didn't seem to have any problems with it.

Don't use white tape, its tacky...