Has anyone seen or have the Equitas Alpha bridle.? Very similar to the Micklem and PS of Sweden’ Pioneer Revolution.
I have seen it in person. Really nice leather. I’ve been told they run big, but the horse sized one I checked out in the store seemed pretty standard horse sized to me.
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The Equitas is Schockemohle. If I were you I would buy it through Dover/DE in case it breaks in a year or two. Schockemohle does not have the best bridle-making quality. The leather itself is soft and supple, but it frays easily and the stitching and keepers tend to come apart quite quickly.
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My concern is that no where does it specifically state that the High Jump is legal and when I asked as the USDF convention 2 years ago (Dec. 2015), I was told (by more than one TD) it was specifically not legal because the noseband contains something non-leather (wire?) that helps you to shape it to your horse’s nose. I know the FEI rules now allow the High Jump, but am unclear on USEF rules for eventing dressage and regular dressage…
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@Draftmare Well I contacted PS of Sweden and they agreed with you that the High Jump bridle is now legal for both USEF Eventing and regular Dressage. Happy day! I bought one last night (got free reins with it too!) and can’t wait to try it. So glad you posted they were legal or I wouldn’t have looked into them again (have wanted one for ages!)…although my bank account balance is not so thrilled! 
Glad I could be of service! Where did you end up ordering from? I am still heming and hawing over what I want to get.
I purchased directly from PS of Sweden. They allow you to order different sizes for each piece of the bridle and they had a one-day deal with the free reins (and I really wanted to try the jumper reins). Price was fine (and wasn’t more than a couple of dollars cheaper anywhere else that I could find) and shipping was free or $12 for expedited (1-2 days!).
I’d love to try the hackamore bridle as well, but just can’t justify the expense right now as I don’t if my horse will really like it.
I would not rely on what a VENDOR told me about what is legal and not legal. I’ve seen vendors give out incorrect info before. I would check with USEF. Just to be sure.
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I agree, I would generally not just accept the vendor’s word for it, although I was mostly using that as a double check. I emailed USEF previously and never got a response, but maybe I emailed the wrong person? ETA: Found a contact and emailed - hopefully I will get a response this time.
The FEI website is very clear on the issue - the bridle is definitely legal for all FEI dressage competitions (regular and eventing) providing it is used with the throat latch - I just wish the USEF website was as clear!
ETA: The 2018 Eventing Rules clearly allow the High Jump and Jump Off bridles for the dressage phase (with a throat latch). The Dressage Rules reference ANNEX A as the authoritative section, but ANNEX A appears to only have bits, not nosebands, described. However, the rule clarification here: https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/G6IN…-clarification would appear to clarify that the High Jump bridle actually doesn’t need a throat latch to be legal (assuming the bridle itself is legal for regular dressage and classified as a combination noseband), yet the Eventing rules clearly state a throat latch is required (they mimic the FEI rules exactly).
Random observation - the bit cradles on the PS of Sweden bridles are now permitted in FEI dressage.
My High Jump Bridle arrived today and I really like the feel and look of it. Just tried it on tonight, but will ride in it tomorrow. Not 100% sure I have the fit just right but have sent pictures to their customer service for advice.
I’ve been using the PS of Sweden Jump Off Revolution bridle for about 2 years now. It’s nice and is holding up well, but I didn’t buy the throat latch or a special brow band. Now that I’m contemplating showing, I decided to keep it for schooling and bought a new fancy OS bridle for show (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Chi…ew?usp=sharing). It’s much more flattering on him than the Jump Off and he doesn’t seem to have a preference either way.
By the way, I noticed the Jump Off on Mary’s Tack and Feed, so maybe they carry other PS of Sweden bridles too:
https://marystack.com/ps-of-sweden-j…olution-bridle
Appears they do:
https://marystack.com/search/searchresults/?search_query=&search_query=PS+of+sweden
I also ran across a these Passier bridles that have a similar anatomically shaped crown piece. I’m not sure about the quality, but they look interesting.
Quick update - no response from USEF because apparently everyone is out of the office until the New Year. However, I tried the bridle tonight and for the first time ever when I removed it, my horse didn’t rub her ears like a crazy thing. It was amazing! She went well in it too and it looks nicer than even my competition Micklem bridle and the leather is a lovely.
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Pictures!
Glad to hear you like it. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Micklem Diamonte. The tack shop I ordered it from seemed to think that I would like the leather a lot more than the leather and look of the regular Micklem. I am hoping that is true!
Well, after following this discussion for a while, I went ahead and ordered the Micklem Competition. I got it yesterday and am really impressed with the leather. I can’t compare it to the Diamonte (haven’t seen that version) but the leather is definitely a step up (or seems to be anyway) from the Micklem Multi-bridle that I bought for my previous horse about 2 or 2.5 years ago.
I just wish the reins that came with it were longer.
@Posting Trot I have another thread going looking for rein brand recommendations. I actually really like the Micklem rubber reins, but they are stupid short on my moose of a horse. I have to lean forward with my arm out like a western pleasure rider if she wants to get really long and low. :lol:
Well, I am super bummed. I ordered the nicer Micklem from Centerline, they listed it having it brown (and was the only place that had it in brown so I was a bit suspicious) and it turns out they don’t have it in brown. SO! Back to the drawing board.
@leheath Did you ever hear back from USEF?
I wonder if PoS ever does any sales…
I am trying one of these–I sent them my measurements and they are actually customizing the fit–https://www.ebay.ca/itm/FSS-German-Comfort-Crystal-Bling-Grackle-Figure-8-Bridle-Custom-Made-Sparkle-NEW/270880618684?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=570051218799&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
Oh how disappointing! 
I have seen sales for PoS but not often - usually it is other deals thrown in (I got free reins with my bridle on a pre-Christmas special), but they did have 50% off a bridle as one of their December sales.
I have not yet heard back from USEF, but their emails all came back that they are out of the office until the New Year, so I am guessing I won’t hear back until then. I will definitely post an update when I get an answer!
@Draftmare Sadly I just heard back from USEF. The High Jump is NOT legal for USEF/USDF dressage but IS legal for USEF/USEA eventing dressage. Sigh. I think I will now be trying the Jump Off as it IS legal for both types of dressage (with throatlatch). Too bad as it looks lovely on my horse and she loves it. Might keep it for jumping depending on how she likes the Jump Off.
Side note: the bit cradles are legal for USEF/USDF dressage as well as FEI dressage, but not for USEF/USEA eventing dressage.
Well that’s disappointing, but also good to know. Are you going to keep your bridle, or return it for a legal one?
Not sure if you saw, but PSoS was having a pretty decent sale on their website, with 40% off of some styles (especially those in brown)…
