Buckle end bridle in hunter ring? Okay or total faux pas?

[inca]

Okay, I am a dressage rider so come from the land of "what your tack looks like doesn't really matter." I know that it DOES matter at hunter shows.

I have a 4-yr-old sale horse that is very huntery in type. My one brown bridle is about to fall apart so I need to buy a new one for her. (I have at least 8 black bridles but I know those won't work!)

I found a really good deal on a bridle but it has buckle ends. I personally love buckle ends and they are very "chic" in the dressage ring. But, not sure if they are a no-no in hunter land. And as I am typing this, I am realizing she has a pretty refined head so it might not be the best look for her. But, I don't want to spend more than $125 on a brown bridle that I will not use except for however long before this mare sells.

[AmandaandTuff]

What about the new SmartPak bridle, the Plymouth? Seems like it will do what you want for a low price, I think it's $50.

Edit to add link.

http://www.smartpakequine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassid=7210

[WorthTheWait95]

Or the next bump up in quality of the smart pak bridles is only $110 and really nice. That would get my vote.

Buckle ends are in no way illegal or anything like that but they are also not commonly used in H/J land. It will not keep you out of the ribbons or affect your placings so go with what you like though.

[Lucassb]

If you are going to buy a new bridle specifically to show off this mare you are marketing as a hunter, dress her in a hunter bridle (ie, no buckle ends.)

I like the buckle end bridles too, but they are really not done in the hunter ring, and when you are marketing a hunter, looks count. You want the first impression to be "this is the picture we are looking for," as the buyer does that initial assessment, so dress her for the party.

A refined head is probably going to look best in a fairly quiet, dark havana unpadded bridle, perhaps with fancy stitching to enhance the elegant look of the horse. Of course padded bridles (all brown, please) are very common in hunterland now, so if you come across one you like for a good price, don't let that put you off. Ebay usually has a good selection of quality bridles (Edgewood, Hadfields, Beval will all be hunter appropriate) for reasonable prices and are high quality that will last a long time with good care. If you can't find a good quality used one, I've heard good things about the Bobby's bridles and they are also very reasonably priced.

[Dirty Little Secret]

faux pas

[inca]

Thanks - kind of what I thought. I know "the look" is very important in hunters and I do want to make sure she makes a good first impression! Unfortunately, although she is very, very pretty, she already has one strike against her (maybe 2) because she is a SOLID chestnut mare with absolutely no white. I know that will not be a popular choice for hunters. She is a super good mover so I am hoping that will compensate for the no white.

Will check out the Smart Pak bridles. I have several Bobby dressage bridles and they are really nice quality at a good price. Will look at their selection of hunter bridles.

Thanks again!

[Candle]

You ought to be able to pick up a decent brown bridle (no flash!!) in a Dover catalogue if you only plan on using it a few times, and you should be able to find one well under $100. I wouldn't aim for anything fancy, just usable.

[War Admiral]

Do you have any brown bridles at all? Just change the cheek pieces. I've got one of Avery's old bridles I still do that with!

[MHM]

Unfortunately, although she is very, very pretty, she already has one strike against her (maybe 2) because she is a SOLID chestnut mare with absolutely no white. I know that will not be a popular choice for hunters. She is a super good mover so I am hoping that will compensate for the no white.



Huh? :confused:

I don't know how it works in the dressage world, but here in hunterland, if it's a good horse, it's a good color. Particularly when you're talking about a very traditional color, not a leopard appaloosa or something like that.

[AmandaandTuff]

If you aren't going to be using it often, I'd just go with what looks good at a low price. Kincade is also a cheaper brand, I have a bridle from them and it has lasted 6 years with a lot of TLC. Browse around, if you avoid striclty english style based sites you may actually find bridles for a lower cost.

Edit to add:

A $20 bridle at Country Supply if you're really just looking for low cost and acceptable looks.

http://www.horse.com/Raised-Snaffle-Bridle-with-Reins-ECH10.html

[Janet]

Huh? :confused:

I don't know how it works in the dressage world, but here in hunterland, if it's a good horse, it's a good color. Particularly when you're talking about a very traditional color, not a leopard appaloosa or something like that.
I think there is a difference here between "the judge" and "the potential buyer".

The judge won't (or at least shouldn'e) care that she is a "chestnut mare".

But I know plenty of people who won't BUY a chestnut mare.

[RugBug]

(I have at least 8 black bridles but I know those won't work!)


Are any of these plain black bridles with no flash and not the super wide cavesson? IMO, sometimes you can't tell well-treated Havanna tack from black tack unless you're up very close...so, If you had a hunter-style black one, I'd use that.



('Course this is coming from someone who longed to have the black Crosby Corinthian when I was a teenager...and who is now riding in a black Black Country (out of necessity, however, as it's what fits the new horse the best as is available for use))

[MHM]

I think there is a difference here between "the judge" and "the potential buyer".

The judge won't (or at least shouldn'e) care that she is a "chestnut mare".

But I know plenty of people who won't BUY a chestnut mare.

Well, there are plenty of foolish people in the world. :lol:

I was responding to the OP's statement that the horse's color would count against it in the hunter ring. Which it won't.

[*Liz*]

Are any of these plain black bridles with no flash and not the super wide cavesson? IMO, sometimes you can't tell well-treated Havanna tack from black tack unless you're up very close...so, If you had a hunter-style black one, I'd use that.


Agreed. If you've got a hunter-type (non-flash, non-bling) black bridle; I'd use that and would be surprised if anyone noticed or said anything about it.

It may be a bit more noticeable on your chestnut, but when I was showing my gelding who's usually a dark bay, all my tack and equipment was either black or very dark brown. You can barely differentiate between the browns and the blacks with the exception of his belly-girth (which was fairly new in the photo but is also much lighter than my preference - but it was what I needed.) photo (http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd278/eae06c/DSCN0338.jpg)

[karenrrafuse]

hey i just saw a four button black jacket with zipper pockets in a $10,000 hunter derby and the rider came in third so I dont think your bridle is an issue...

[RugBug]

This is my havanna bridle (http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g14/slorugbug/horse%20stuff/ShowFace.jpg)that is often mistaken for black.

[dogchushu]

If you were looking to show for yourself and not planning on marketing the horse, I'd tell you to buy what you liked. The judge won't care.

But since you're marketing the horse, you do want to look the part. It shouldn't matter (and it may not to most buyers), but it's a tough market and you want every advantage you can get.

Personally, I like Bobby's bridles. If you were permanently moving into hunters, I'd go with the more expensive line (they're well worth it). However, the less expensive line is fine for your purposes IMHO. But do also check out ebay and your local consignment places to see if you can get a good deal.

[mvp]

In dressage too. Admit it: This is why you have eight blackie-bucklers and no brown hook-n-studs.

I'd advise you to buy a gently used but beautiful quality bridle that will look well on your mare's head. Nice leather is worth something. It will look better longer than will one made of leather that has not been tanned well. Every mare needs a beautiful hat.

Welcome to this branch of the horse world!

[inca]

To clarify my color comment, as someone else said, I didn't mean her color would count against her in the show ring. But, trust me, it will count against her with a lot of buyers, especially until she gets in the show ring and has some sort of show record. Personally, I LOVE chestnut mares (have had 6 of them over the years) but lots of people really believe the old wives tale.

Thanks for all of the advice. Will start my search for an appropriate brown bridle (with no buckle ends.) :-)