What is everyone’s favorite European bridle that doesn’t cost $300+ dollars? I’m thinking under or around $200 would be great.
Can you be more specific, as in what features you want to see in the bridle? So many options now. Do you want padded headstall, care for crank, flash, those kind of things? Do you want bling?
My consistent favorites, for longevity and “cleaning up” looking as good as new, are Stubben, Kieffer, Courbette, and Eponia. Kieffer and Stubben are expensive, but in my experience they wear very well and always clean up exceptionally well. You can usually find very cheap Stubbens at consignment, lightly used.
Eponia, I can’t remember if it is truly European made, but it is very good quality for the price. I am very happy with my Eponia Ginger bridle, which still looks brand new after lots of abuse.
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I’m assuming snaffle bridle? I’ve had good luck with Kieffer bridle quality. I also got a Passier Blu bridle recently and it is quite nice for the price (on sale under $200) and has an easily removeable flash.
You can normally find some Kieffer bridles around that price. The quality is good.
I have an Eponia bridle that I don’t use and the quality is ok. Their customer service, IME, both USA and Europe, sucks. They do not know their product and it was truly a bizarre experience, so I won’t order from them again and will sell the bridle as I don’t use it anymore.
I have a BR rolled leather bridle that cost 86€ and for less than 100€ the quality is good. It’s made a decent schooling bridle thus far.
I have seen some Passier bridles in that price range from time to time too.
I like Stubben.
Love my Kieffer bridle. It was given to me, and I don’t know that I would have splurged on it on my own - but it really is worth the $. Super comfy for the horse, too.
Kieffer!
Another vote for Kieffer. They hold up well in my experience and a ton of options.
I’m impressed with Nunn Finer. They’re not European, but comparable in quality. The horse I lease has a Nunn Finer dressage bridle. We use it every day. Wipe after use with leather wash and oil as needed. It’s several years old and looks and feels brand new. No fading dye, loose stitching, etc.
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Look at Divoza.com or Ooteman.nl and order there. Shipping is a little higher but you don’t pay VAT so ends up about the same…
Thanks everyone!
Sorry, I should have been more specific. I was hoping to find the names of European brands that maybe aren’t as well known (like Stubben, Nunn Finer, etc…) to see if they have anything in particular that I may like.
Maybe google Waldhausen, BR and Doebert
You can find ir bridles (non-bespoke models sold through Jeffries now) on eBay in your price range
Not European, but Bobby’s English Tack make fantastic bridles in all shapes and sizes. They will also make a custom bridle from among all of their different parts. For example, I needed a half cob-half full sized bridle to fit my oddly shaped (melonheaded) draftX…I simply called them, and in 48hrs, I had the perfect bridle. Their Signature collection leather is fantastic, and holds up to time and wear. Oh, and if you like brass fittings (like I do), you can get everything in brass, too.
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Kavalkade - Riding Warehouse has quite a nice slection
Sabre Cordoba with the sensitive head piece, excellent quality, reasonable price.
I have a Waldhausen rolled bridle. It’s a double, came WITH rolled reins, for jsut over $300. Their snaffle is jsut as nice. $275 here… http://www.saddlersrow.com/waldhause…essage-bridle/
Kieffer is really good quality - I’ve owned Stubben, ADT, Kieffer, Passier, Schockemohle, and Dobert (plus some less expensive brands), and Kieffer and Dobert are my favorites for long term - they wear like iron, and still look great!
So for a less known brand (in the US -quite well known in Germany), I’d say look at Dobert. I’ve owned two now, and both were lovely bridles - one is still in use today, and it is at least 6 or 7 years old and looks fabulous. Nicely padded too.
