Jumper Tack- Best Options?

[DappledDays]

I’m looking for recommendations for jumper tack. I have a 16.2hh WB Gelding, and we compete in the jumpers. When I bought him, I already had a bridle that fit well, (nothing fancy, don’t even remember the brand!), saddle pads, breastplate/running martingale and very basic leg boots (shedrow open fronts), and show boots (leather open fronts, dont recall brand). I don’t need a saddle, as I got one of those for him when he arrived at my barn and had it fit to him, but its come time to replace most of the gear I already had.

So, I’m looking for recommendations on the following:
-Bridle. Figure 8 noseband preferred.
-Stud girth (I had a lovely leather one from my previous horse, but it caused rubs and wasn’t quite the right size.)
-Breastplate (preferably mostly leather, durable and 5 point)
-Open front tendon boots and back boots (something that breathes well, and protects the leg. Something ideal for everyday use and something I can use for shows. Bonus points if they’re great for both.)

Naturally, I don’t want to pay through the roof, but I do want good quality, durable products, and well this is horses. Everything is expensive. I’d rather pay a little more for something good than end up replacing my cheaper buy in a year. Just hoping to get some good suggestions (and maybe where to get them at their best price? I don’t mind ordering them online or from overseas), what you love, what you hate, pros and cons of the products?

[hunterjumper98]

As far as bridles go, I am the type of person who prefers to spend the money for high end brands. I am just a sucker for a nice, soft bridle. For a figure eight bridle, look into Edgewood, CWD, Antares, Five Star Tack, or Vespucci (sometimes hit or miss). Dy’on makes a figure eight bridle as well, but I much prefer the look of their anatomical bridle (the one with the flash noseband). It is stunning! I drool over it all the time!

You don’t necessarily have to fork out retail price - eBay and Facebook has some good deals if you don’t mind going the used route. I know that SmartPak carries the Edgewood figure eight, and it is usually included in their frequent sales. For Dy’on, try and look on European websites to find some really good deals.

I’m not a huge breastplate coneseuir, but CWD makes a really nice bridge breastplate. They are definitely not cheap new, but I see them on eBay and Facebook used for pretty reasonable prices.

My favorite jumping boots hands-down has to be Equifit’s D-teq boots. They are so squishy on the inside and provide really great protection while looking very attractive. There’s just something about those black and white stripes that I just love. You can also order them with colored binding or fully custom, which is fun. I currently own a pair of D-teqs with brown binding, and they are stunning and fit very well. I have another set of older Equifits that are still going after 3 years of wear and tear. Centerline Style frequently has sales on them. That’s where I bought my new set from, and I paid $50 less than retail.

I have heard that the Veredus Carbon Gel boots are very nice as well, but I personally have not tried them. The same goes for leather boots. I have not personally tried them, but if you want to go that route, I know Antares and CWD make some really nice ones. Of course, going used will be friendly on the wallet!

For schooling, you can either find a good set of used Equifits online or you can look into the Eskadon tendon boots. Those seem to be pretty popular around here for schooling and seem to hold up well.

[PNWjumper]

Long term, the only bridles of mine that I’ve ever loved for decades have been my Edgewoods. Oh, and one CWD bridle. But lately I’ve been buying a lot of stuff from Royal Sports (www.bridlesandreins.com) and been quite happy with what I’ve gotten (bridles, belly guard girths, and martingales).

For boots, nothing’s ever beat my Eskadrons, and for the most part that’s what I show in 90% of the time. I also have a few “off brand” of the same boots (e.g. the Thinline model), which are just as good.

[klsunsnowluck]

Bridles-my favorite are Vespucci and Five Star Tack. Ovation also makes good bridles for a lower price range.
Breastplate- PS of Sweden bridge breastplate. I love that the martingale clips onto the reins so I don’t have to unbuckle them every time. I ordered direct from the PS of Sweden website and it came super fast.
Boots- I’m very partial to Veredus. For shows I have the Veredus Carbon Gel vento. At home I use either the vento training sport boots, the olympus open fronts or the regular carbon gel open fronts. They are super easy to clean (hose off or put in the washer) and hold up really well. The only reason I don’t ride in the carbon gel ventos at home is because I have the ones with the white trim and want to keep them nice.

[AKCH]

I use the PS of Sweden 6 point breastplate. Best one I have used for the big horses we have. Phenomenal quality and mostly leather except for 2 straps that do have a band of elastic which you will one when you are jumping to allow some flexibility. I also use the the PS of Sweden High Jump bridle on our horses. Again great for large horses and you don’t have to fiddle around with a throatlatch. Their extra soft leather reins are incredible. As for boots I event so I use eventing boots which won’t be quite what you need for jumpers so I can’t really help out with that.

[AKCH]

@klsunsnowluck

Breastplate- PS of Sweden bridge breastplate.

Not many people know about them let alone use them. They are phenomenal aren’t they.

[mymarekitty]

Absolutely agree with Edgewood recommendation. I have both the figure 8 and regular bridle from them. Have owned the same bridles since my horse was 2- he is now 11. Great quality, durability and worth the price in every aspect. I’m sure you could find some great deals online via ebay, facebook, etc. I also second the Equi-fit D-teqs. I use them both for schooling and show. Easy to clean and are sleek to boot. I’m very heavily considering grabbing them in brown now that my grey has gone almost white. Stud girth I would go with CWD all the way.

ETA: I know it wasn’t mentioned but if you struggle with a very sweaty horse and rein slippage I would also recommend thinline reins for the jumpers. LIFE SAVER. I use to have to tie my reins (leather or rubber) because they would slip so much when they would get wet. Now I can ride without gloves, in the rein, with a drenched horse and not a budge. Plus they are super squishy and comfortable. A must buy in my book.

[SweetMutt]

Another plug for PS of Sweden’s breastplate. I have the bridge and love it. Do get their rein stoppers too - most of the ones that come standard on reins aren’t big enough for the clips on the martingale. Except for the ones on my 5 Star Tack bridle, which I also LOVE, but they have sadly gone out of business.

I have a Lund figure 8 I got more recently and find largely comparable to the 5 star, though it’s taking just a bit longer to break in. It’s also at a very reasonable price point.

[Xctrygirl]

My favorite open fronts are from 20 years ago. I have searched Ebay and Ebay UK often and now I have 5 pairs, 3 of those were in brand new condition, never used.

As a result they cost me no more than $15, with shipping.

As others have said you can buy all of this used.

Emily

[DappledDays]

@PNWjumper

Long term, the only bridles of mine that I’ve ever loved for decades have been my Edgewoods. Oh, and one CWD bridle. But lately I’ve been buying a lot of stuff from Royal Sports (www.bridlesandreins.com) and been quite happy with what I’ve gotten (bridles, belly guard girths, and martingales).

For boots, nothing’s ever beat my Eskadrons, and for the most part that’s what I show in 90% of the time. I also have a few “off brand” of the same boots (e.g. the Thinline model), which are just as good.

Which model of Eskadron boots do you like? I know they have a few, just curious which one you’re referring to!

[DappledDays]

@mymarekitty

Absolutely agree with Edgewood recommendation. I have both the figure 8 and regular bridle from them. Have owned the same bridles since my horse was 2- he is now 11. Great quality, durability and worth the price in every aspect. I’m sure you could find some great deals online via ebay, facebook, etc. I also second the Equi-fit D-teqs. I use them both for schooling and show. Easy to clean and are sleek to boot. I’m very heavily considering grabbing them in brown now that my grey has gone almost white. Stud girth I would go with CWD all the way.

ETA: I know it wasn’t mentioned but if you struggle with a very sweaty horse and rein slippage I would also recommend thinline reins for the jumpers. LIFE SAVER. I use to have to tie my reins (leather or rubber) because they would slip so much when they would get wet. Now I can ride without gloves, in the rein, with a drenched horse and not a budge. Plus they are super squishy and comfortable. A must buy in my book.

I will look into those reins-it reins a lot where I live, so I end up with that issue even when my horses ISNT sweaty!

[PNWjumper]

@LousLuck

Which model of Eskadron boots do you like? I know they have a few, just curious which one you’re referring to!

I have a whole bunch of them…I would guess 12+ pair plus many I’ve tossed out over the years? Haven’t met a pair of Eskadrons I haven’t liked yet, whether they’re “click buckles,” velcro, double velcro, or hook/eye type closure. But honestly, my favorites are the plain old velcro open-front boots. And more often than not, those are the ones I grab out of my tack trunk at shows because they’re easy to use and easy to clean.

[greysfordays]

I highly recommend the butet stud guard girth. The leather is super soft and luxurious.

https://sederholm.co.uk/butet-stud-guard-girth

I just bought a CWD stud girth to match the saddle, bridle and breastplate, bc I lost my Butet girth in a fire… The CWD is a bummer by comparison and runs so small! We are squeezing into a 58" when he wear a 54" in the professionals choice girth at home.

That said, I LOVE the rest of my tack, particularly the CWD breastplate with the clip in rein rings on the running. I think it has just the right amount of stretch.

[BITSA]

I’d also look for good used tack from a group like FB English Tack Trader, I’ve gotten some really nice qality used things there.

Bridles: I have Edgewood, which is my favorite, but also had good luck with a RedBarn and Bobby’s tack. I just got an Antares bridle which seems to be well-made.

I love my Veredus boots, more so than my Equifit ones. They’ve held up great, look nice, and I just throw them in the washer to clean them. I know there are some of those for sale of English Tack Trader because I’ve been looking for a second pair for a lease horse.

I have several Voltaire girths that look nice and have held up well.