APPARENTLY the hunters don’t love when we show up in a figure 8 even though it’s a local janky schooling show. They still let us compete but we get ~angry glares~.
So! I have decided to but Sunny his 5th bridle. We already have the Schockemohle for dressage, the Pure Harmony figure 8 for jump/xc (amazing bridle btw), the royal figure 8 for trails, and the Horze for lessons.
This bridle will replace the Horze (as it is falling apart) and also function as a bridle for hunter shows.
I love the look of a slightly wider, square raised cavesson, but not a padded one since Suns has a delicate face TB face. I also love fancy stitching. This bridle DOES NOT need to feel or look like a New Canaan (god I wish). It just needs to take conditioner well and hold up. Hopefully it will darken a tad as well.
I am looking at 2 bridles specifically.
Option A: Ovation Fancy Raised Comfort Crown Wide Noseband Bridle with Fancy Raised Reins
I really like the look and sound of this one. It comes with reins so that’s nice and it is fancy stitched. It says it will take oil and I def support that. I like the padded crown as well. My secret source has them for $109 in cob size. I have heard good things about ovation.
Option B: Black Oak by KL Select Spruce Hunter Bridle
This one is also really pretty. I think I prefer the color in this one. My concern is the leather. It looks kind of plasticy in the picture and I’m curious about how it takes oil/conditioner. It doesn’t have a padded crown. This bridle is $134.99. Is it worth the slightly higher price? I feel like I recall hearing negative things about the KL Select line.
Thanks!!