Bridle shopping...

[JBCool]

So I was asked what I would like for Christmas, and I think I would like a new bridle for my horse. Trying to keep it under $200, but don’t want something cheap. Thank you!
Criteria:
Fancy stitch
Cob size
Padded or wide-ish noseband (I like the look but my horse has a refined face so this could be a fine line)
Comfort monocrown

Here are some I was looking at, but I’ve never had my hands on them, so experiences appreciated. Anything I’ve missed?
https://www.statelinetack.com/item/m-toulouse-handy-hunter-snaffle-bridle/E027837/

https://www.doversaddlery.com/ovation-ultra-fancy-stitched-wide-nose-bridle/p/X1-12768/

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/black-oak-cyprus-bridle-21040?_br_psugg_q=black+oak+bridle

[LandisGreen]

I have an Ovation as a schooling bridle. While it has held up wonderfully after a few years the leather has not become as supple as I would have liked. It is still pretty stiff even after so many cleanings and use.

[skipollo]

We have three SmartPak Harwich bridles that are surprisingly nice. All three included reins and were under $200. I wouldn’t call them high end really nice show bridles, but considering they are an in-house brand and a lot of other SP brand items are not good quality, these are actually very nice. They’re durable and easy to take care of and are pretty soft right out of the box (we didn’t oil any of them.)

They run true to size as well. We use horse size on our OTTB boys (16.2hh OTTB geldings, medium bone) and they fit well.

[HJdaydream]

I have the Ovation you linked to and LOVE it. It is my everyday bridle and has held up beautifully. I could easily use it in the show ring, I just don’t since I have an Edgewood I also love. I have written about it on my blog a few times- here is a link if you want to some additional pictures of it:

https://hunkyhanoverian.com/allthingshorse/ovation-bridle-review-update/

[Renn_aissance]

I don’t prefer Ovation. My sister won one at some horse show or other. It came in a color best described as “strawberry blond” and the thing could not be darkened- it wouldn’t take oil. Felt cheap.

Harmohn Kraft does a nice job in your price range. I believe they’re the manufacturer behind SmartPak’s Harwich line, which is very reasonable quality. They also make the Aramas line- possibly “made” past tense as I didn’t see many brand new in a cursory search. If you can find an Aramas bridle in your price range via eBay I would snap it up. In my opinion the quality is on par with what Edgewood used to be.

Bobby’s is another brand to look at.

[fredrich]

I would second Bobby’s English tack. They have a few different lines, but have some very nice pieces in the 170-200 range. We have a ton of them in our barn and they’ve held up very well for both schooling and showing.

[Equestrian24]

I think that out of those three choices, the Ovation is likely to be the nicest. I think Ovation is a nice, solid option for the price and have been very happy with everything I’ve owned from them.

Harmohn Kraft has some nice options, too. I got an Americana bridle several years ago somewhere in the $200 range or so, but I can’t remember for sure and prices have probably increased since then.

I’ve seen a couple of Black Oak bridles in person and to me, they both looked and felt like your typical painted-on cheap bridle. They weren’t awful, but weren’t nice either.

I don’t have experience with M. Toulouse bridles, but saw their girths in a tack store and thought the leather was awful, like plastic.

[blondewithchrome]

I would highly recommend CC Leather. It’s a small brand/small business but I have two of her bridles and they are GORGEOUS and incredibly well made for the price. I would recommend her 10x over! I have the wide nose bridle and I loooove it.

http://cc-signature.com/

[JBCool]

Thank you, everyone! I will consider everyone’s advice and look into your suggestions. Just what I was hoping to get from asking you guys!

[Renn_aissance]

@blondewithchrome

I would highly recommend CC Leather. It’s a small brand/small business but I have two of her bridles and they are GORGEOUS and incredibly well made for the price. I would recommend her 10x over! I have the wide nose bridle and I loooove it.

http://cc-signature.com/

Ohhhh. I don’t think I’ve seen these before, and the pictures are lovely. What’s the leather like? That wide noseband sure is pretty.

[blondewithchrome]

@Renn/aissance

Ohhhh. I don’t think I’ve seen these before, and the pictures are lovely. What’s the leather like? That wide noseband sure is pretty.

It’s pretty good for the price - relatively soft right out of the box. Mine just needed a good dose of conditioner and they were perfectly supple! Comparatively, mine needed far less oil than other brand new bridles.

[SugarCubes]

@fredrich

I would second Bobby’s English tack. They have a few different lines, but have some very nice pieces in the 170-200 range. We have a ton of them in our barn and they’ve held up very well for both schooling and showing.

I just bought a Bobby’s bridle (IIRC it was closer to $300) and am very disappointed with the quality, I am totally bummed since I had seen such good reviews on here.

I also have a Harmohn Kraft Aramas bridle for my other horse, which was around the same price as the Bobby’s, and is much better quality. I believe I got it from Dover, but it was last Christmas, so I’m not sure if that same one is still available.

[hillary_again]

I have the SP Harwich and have had it for ~10 years. Can’t speak to the recent quality, but this bridle’s been a trooper for me. I got the Figure 8 version, and that noseband was crazy - too short in the headpiece and GIGANTIC around the mouth. I bought the hunter noseband and have been happy ever since.

[Nevada10]

For the price, you can’t beat bridlesandreins.com, especially with the 50% off sale going on now. I recommend getting their highest quality leather. It isn’t Edgewood quality, but better than Ovation. They will customize it if you need any measurements changed or want a certain color thread.

[Nevada10]

@blondewithchrome

I would highly recommend CC Leather. It’s a small brand/small business but I have two of her bridles and they are GORGEOUS and incredibly well made for the price. I would recommend her 10x over! I have the wide nose bridle and I loooove it.

http://cc-signature.com/

FYI — I strongly suspect their stuff is made by bridlesandreins.com 😉

[GucciJumper]

I would look used. I have picked up Edgewood and Vespucci bridles in your price range.
In my opinion I like my smartpak wellfleet and my Vespucci bridle the best. The wellfleet might be able to fall into your price range if smartpak does a sale soon. It’s currently $230 new.

[Nickelodian]

Ovation is probably the best option here. I have one. It’s done me well over the years.

bobbys used to be great but are now awful. Tolouse is like plastic. I hate the smart pak line.