Major shift in opinion re Riders Supreme blankets

[ljc]

OK, I have been a very loyal user of the Rider's International Supreme blankets, from the rain sheets to heavy turnouts, for quite a few years. Never had a single problem with any of them. This year I ordered two rainsheets for my 26-year-old. Same size, same style. When they arrived, I ripped off the tags and waited to use them. Today I put them on - they are HORRIBLE. Everything has changed - the fabric, the fit, everything. They feel really shoddy and are too short on the sides, too tight in the shoulder and barely cover his butt. This horse has worn the same size blanket for years. I tried each of the blankets, then put an old one on just to make sure he hadn't grown or something. It fit perfectly.

I'm sure if I'm willing to pay the $60 postage or whatever it would cost to send them back to Dover, they would exchange them -- but for what? I've disliked the latest weatherbeeta blankets, the baker ones also seem to have been changed (at least according to the photos I've seen) and money is tight.

Just when I thought I had all my winter blankets taken care of.:(

[pandorasboxx]

I just saw this and am very torn now. Anyone else have recent experience with the Rider's International Supreme turnout blankets from Dover? I'm getting ready to order and was torn between the Supreme and the Pessoa Tundra Mid-Weight turnout. They have them both of them on sale at very tempting prices.

I love the Rambos but those are not in the budget this year.

[VanishingPondFarm]

Try Schneiders blankets. WWW.SSTACK.com I have a gelding that can shred a blanket in minutes and he has one that is on it's 4th season. I only order the 1650 or 1800 denier blankets as Pepper and his buddy try to give each other wedgies all day everyday. I did have a problem w/ the stitching on the belly buckles coming apart but they made good on it and I am expecting a replacement as we speak. P had only had it on 3 days.:) My other horse and my boarder all have the same blanket and they are fine. For my 2 horses I own 5 from there. 2 sheets, 2 mid weight and one heavy weight. My mare thinks P should stay outside if it is freezing rain. I to stopped w/ Riders.
Kathy

[murphyluv]

I ordered the supreme turnout heavyweight last year and really liked it... Hmm anyone know if the changes happened this year or longer ago?

[fivehorses]

I don't really like the schneider blankets or the store even for that matter.
If you buy a blanket and return it with one hair on it, they deduct. Not a friendly, let's do business kind of place.

now, the blanket I am impressed with and the company is Shires.

[ljc]

I'm the OP of this post and still cursing the newer International Supreme Blankets. Ironically, I had a couple of brand new ones packed away (for a different horse) and pulled them out to use a couple of weeks ago. They were so wonderful it almost made me cry. WHY, WHY, WHY do companies do this to us????

In the meantime, I also ordered a couple of new Schneider's midweight and heavyweight turnouts that were on sale. European fit ones, minus the adjustable necks. I love them so far. (I actually had used the midweight ones for many years and find this new one to be just as good).

So I would have to say that the Rider's change happened in this last year.

[pandorasboxx]

Based on web reviews and COTH feedback, I went with the Pessoa Tundra with the Rider's International Northwind a very close second. The Tundra has the 1800 denier ballistic weave shell which is higher than the Rambos (I have one still going very strong after six years), high cut shoulders and the rustproof hardware. I really liked the 2 year warranty through Dover, and the great sale price with the extra $10 off coupon (total $70 off-best price I could find on the web) was the icing on the cake. Fingers crossed and will report back in a couple of weeks.

Just an aside, it is a Schneiders blanket that I'm replacing. Not a bad turnout and great for a limited budget but it def. did not hold up as well as my Rambo and Triple Crown (rusty hardware, broken snap, broken leg strap, tear in shell) plus the adjustable shoulders straps kept "unvelcro-ing". Price wise they are a good deal but since the Pessoa was in the same range, I went with that one and will keep the repaired Schneiders as a backup.

[redleaflady]

About 6 years back I got the riders international supreme stable blanket for my older horse. About a year later I got one for my baby. The second one I purchased was not nearly the quality of the first. So far I have had good luck with the turnouts but it has been a couple years since I have purchased them.

[M. O'Connor]

I went to Dover's today, and picked up a Rider's Supreme T/O sheet--it's still in the bag, but I'll report back about what it looks like tomorrow.

The blankets are NOT as nice as they used to be, AT ALL.

There is no question that the merchandise has gone downhill--I see no logic in letting the quality of a product deteriorate to the extent these have.

I agree, it's very sad. At least Dover's has a decent return policy--I just wish I hadn't had to use it so often in recent years.

[Trevelyan96]

I have to agree, I am also disappointed. I have some older Supremes that are wonderful. Ordered a new turnout sheet for the Inkster this year specifically because they always had such a wondeful deep drop. This one looks like a miniskirt on him and the lining seems to be tighter than the shell. And the lining tore the first time I washed it, so returning is not an option now, I guess.

I am, however, very happy with the Northwind sheet I ordered for Rico, and since he's not as deep in the girth as the Inkster and they both wear a 76, I'll probably just repair the lining and put the Supreme on Rico and the Northwind on Inky, but I will definitely be writing Dover to let them know how disappointed I am, as I was always a loyal fan and have often recommended the Supremes.

[AppJumpr08]

I used to love Dover's sheets and blankets. Not anymore. They have gotten really shoddy in their workmanship and fit. From cotton sheets to fleece sheets to turnout sheets to turnout blankets. Used to love them. Won't order another one. Ever.

[kdriding]

FWIW I have both of my horses in Riders Supreme Turnouts that were all purchased this fall. My daughter's huge warmblood plays very hard with the horse in the paddock next to him and I have had great luck with his blankets holding up. My other horse is a 3 yr old OTTB who lives in a run-in situation. He has the High Neck Riders Supreme and it has been great. He can be tough on things and there isn't an ounce of damage on it, and he is toasty warm. I am in the Northeast and the weather has been pretty harsh.

So, I have to say I am very happy with my Riders blankets. :)