SmartPak Plymouth--Yay or Nay?

[Crazy-Pony]

I recently moved up from a medium to a large and am in need of a new bridle. I had a cob-sized Northrun bridle for the medium, which I loved but it is actually too big for the large! Who would've thought? Anyways, I am in the market for a new bridle. I would like to get something like the Northrun again; fancy but not too pricey and SmartPak's Plymouth bridle caught my eye. Is it any good? I would be using it maybe two or three times a week, for schooling and local, mostly B-rated shows.

[Crown Royal]

There are TONS of reviews on the product's page on the website that will tell you basically the same thing as posters here.

[Dewey]

I think the Plymouth is the best inexpensive bridle on the market. I think you will be impressed with how nice it is.

[JumperTurns]

I think the Plymouth is the best inexpensive bride on the market. I think you will be impressed with how nice it is.

Agreed. :yes:

[cswoodlandfairy]

I actually own a Harwich and love it. However I got to see and feel a Plymouth and I would go an buy it in a heartbeat if I needed another. The leather was soft and supple and its a really nice deal for what it cost! I would definitely recommend!!!

[KAL74]

There is a Plymouth in my barn and it's a really nice bridle!

[pattnic]

I think the Plymouth is the best inexpensive bride on the market. I think you will be impressed with how nice it is.

Absolutely this! I recently picked up a Plymouth martingale; the quality is far better than anything else in that price range, and I would say is at least on par with Bobby's (not their higher end line, but certainly their less expensive line).

[Tegan301]

I just received one and it's very nice! :yes:

[Trevelyan96]

We have the Plymouth martingale and the Harwich bridle, and both are definitley the best quality in their price range. If the martingale is anything to go by, I'd say the Plymouth bridle would be superb quality for the price.

We get a lot of compliments on our Harwich bridle.

[FLeventer]

For the price, its the best leather that I have felt. The Plymouth line ranges from about $55 for the basic and $100 for the elite with fancy crown and quite a bit of extras. Dover sells the crown line for around this price and even more expensive and it does not compare at all. Smartpak has the better bridles for the better price.

I have been to both the Smartpak store (MA) and the Dover stores (NH/MA/VA) and felt their bridle leather. Smartpak lower lines like the Harwich and the Plymouth beat out Dovers Suffolk and Crown and even the circuit with the Harwich bridle for a better price.

I have the harwich event bridle and I love it! I also have the plymouth dressage bridle that I got on sale as a back up. After oiling it, it was very nice.

[TB7]

I was seriously contemplating getting the Plymouth dressage bridle for my horse - until his dressage based rider couldn't ride him anymore. :(

I have the Harwich and it was SUPER supple. Only complaint is that it stretched a lot and now the throat latch is a bit big even on the highest hole. One of the keepers doesn't fit over the throat latch either. Not worth returning though. I already darkened it.

If the Plymouth is anything like the Harwich, it will be a bit thirsty for oil/conditioning, but oh so soft.

[tarheelmd07]

I have three Plymouth bridles (dressage, brown w/ flash, and plain cavason with fancy stitching) that I bought for my various horses and I love them all! I bought my first one when i was looking for a cheap bridle to use in breaking a project horse - and it was nice enough that I kept using it and have used it at shows. Two of my three get used as everyday bridles and have held up great - and clean up well enough to use for clinics and shows.

[spacytracy]

I have contemplated one as a schooling/local show bridle. I would get the plain raised, as I don't really like the fancy stitch.

[ParadoxFarm]

I have the Plymouth dressage bridle and a hunter bridle and love them both. Great quality. I give them "two big thumbs up!". :)

[bellboots]

I have the Plymouth web reins and the leather on them is really nice. The bit loops havent stretched at all. It also softens fast and isnt rubbery or brittle like cheap leather.

[salymandar]

I think the Plymouth is the best inexpensive bridle on the market. I think you will be impressed with how nice it is.

Another one who agrees with this statement. I have had mine - padded fancy stitch - for a year and a half. I use it as a schooling bridle and it has held up well. I have even showed in it a few times in a pinch. The leather is very nice and soft and there are a lot of nice extras.

[Crazy-Pony]

Thank you all! I played around with a Suffolk bridle in the store during a recent trip out to Dover, and just wan't loving it, so have decided to get a Plymouth for "my" little Dutchie, who's 14.1½.

[spacytracy]

Just got mine today, seems very nice!

Never had a new bridle! How do I break it in? I've read of people dunking in oil???

Don't want to do it wrong! Help!

[Indy]

I just got a Plymouth martingale and so far I'm really pleased with it. Nice soft leather, lovely dark color, and super cheap. I'm pretty sure I'll be buying the matching bridle in the near future.

[VTMorgan06]

I just ordered one today! I'll let you know when it comes it! :) you can't argue with th price, seriously, can you buy anything for less than $60 in the horse world?