Patent leather opinions and bridle suggestions

[purplnurpl]

Hello All!

It’s time for me to buy my little homebred her very own bridle.

She’s Trakehner. Lovely refined head with a large star and large snip. Dark Bay.

1st, I have seen some patent leather out and about. I love it. How acceptable is it at this time in the pure dressage arena?

2nd,
I want a rolled bridle.

Dos:
comfort crown
crank with flash option (however I don’t like when there is a loop left if flash isn’t used)

Dont’s:
buckles at poll
too blingy of a browband
shaped browband
crank can’t be too wide. Horse has refined jaw and nose

this one is so nice, but no patent and it will leave a flash loop if the flash isn’t used.
But I like the ultra thin browband.
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/schockemoehle-sports-ashford-snaffle-bridle-10796

this Toulouse #4060 seems to have everything I want. Minus the Schockemoehle brow band.
http://www.classicsaddlery.com/bridles/dressagemtoulouse.htm

Can anyone comment on the quality of the Toulouse?

[SillyHorse]

I can speak only to this:

@purplnurpl;8299223

1st, I have seen some patent leather out and about. I love it. How acceptable is it at this time in the pure dressage arena?

There is no “acceptable” in the dressage arena, only legal or not legal. The judges don’t care about this kind of stuff, as long as it’s legal.

[joiedevie99]

I have the double version of this bridle: http://www.vtosaddlery.com/product/DRSGBRDL/VRLSB.htm

The rolled browband is patent leather. I’ve gotten many compliments on it.

[Somantu]

I like this one for a fine head because the noseband isn’t too broad. But it has the permanent flash loop.[URL=“http://www.ultimateequestrian.co.uk/OttoSchumacherPatentMunichBridle-103.aspx”]

http://www.ultimateequestrian.co.uk/OttoSchumacherPatentMunichBridle-103.aspx

[Lucassb]

I like this one: http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/gfs-patent-rolled-snaffle-dressage-bridle

[purplnurpl]

[QUOTE=SillyHorse;8299239]
I can speak only to this:

There is no “acceptable” in the dressage arena, only legal or not legal. The judges don’t care about this kind of stuff, as long as it’s legal.[/QUOTE]

So I guess the question was more to what is in style.
Do you guys in general see patent and think it looks tacky…

[SillyHorse]

I don’t know, maybe things are different in other areas, but in my neck of the woods everyone seems to do his or her own thing. No one around here spends much thought on what other people are using or wearing other than “Hey, that’s really pretty!” or “I really love your boots.”

[keysfins]

I know it is seen more now, but I am not a fan of the patent look.

A rolled bridle, though, can always look classy, especially if your horse has an attractive head. JMO.

I don’t really follow trends or styles. To me, quality of the materials and craftsmanship, proper fit, as well as durability in a long term investment, are what matter to me. I don’t mind paying for quality that will last, and classic style.

I noticed at World Cup in April that a vendor was selling off Vespucci cheek pieces and parts at a discount, because the newest version of the Vespucci double raised snaffle and Weymouth bridles now have hook stud fittings, instead of the buckle end that they have offered for years. Who decides that hook stud fittings are now “in”, and buckle end fittings are “out”??

Go with what you like! As long as it fits well and is clean, you’ll be fine.

[Daisyesq]

I like the patent. I show a lot, and I think it would be nice.

I don’t own a patent bridle because I wondered if it would scratch/be hard to care for. But I do think its in style.

No opinion on the rolled leather. I have noticed fewer of them in the warm up ring, but not really looking closely at anyone’s bridle!

[purplnurpl]

I always try to use hook/stud on my dressage bridles and buckles on my jumping bridles.
I think hook/stud have a tidier over all appearance and I like having less hardware around the horses lovely head.

[rizzodm]

I just bought this one and love it!

http://www.psofsweden.com/en/for-the-horse/bridle/elegance.html

[csaper58]

Patent leather scuffs and cracks easily, and the damage can’t be disguised or polished away. Good leather with a flat finish will last years longer.

[beowulf]

The Ashford isn’t actually rolled, despite the description - just the side of the cheeks are rolled and iMHO kinda icky.

Patent has its drawbacks - it is short lived.

Vespucci has a rolled patent one… the noseband is very fat though. I think you will have a harder time finding a thinner one that is rolled…

On the other hand I saw an Ovation recently that had patent… having a hard time finding it but I know it exists…

[Flashymover]

I have a gorgeous Schumacher with a patent leather croc noseband and have received tons of compliments. Last show both judges said we were both very elegantly turned out, so I do think they can pay attention to the overall look. I only used this bridle for show and care for my items meticulously, so I think they can last a long time if well kept.

[Arabiandressage]

We have a couple of patent options both brown and black and brown on black, my personal favorite:

http://www.theconnectedrider.com/horse-tack/hkm-nadine-bridle/

Link to the collection of bridles: http://www.theconnectedrider.com/bridles/

Please note you should order one size down as the Fulls fit like Oversize, cob like a full, and Pony like a cob. Our customers have horses in all three sizes and have confirmed this sizing over and over, I guess German horses are big, lol

[Lucassb]

RE: patent…

I happen to really like the look and got a Vespucci snaffle with a patent noseband about three years ago; it’s been my daily use bridle since then and is still in really wonderful condition without any nicks, cracking or other problems. It cleans up easily with just a damp cloth. It’s this one: http://www.vtosaddlery.com/product/VP/VPLDSB.htm

That said, I love the look of rolled bridles. Can’t wait to see what you choose!

[purplnurpl]

thanks to the other thread,

for her dressage bridle I’m shooting for this:
http://www.divoza.com/english/br-andover-bridle

I’m toying over getting this browband to replace the one that comes with:
http://www.divoza.com/english/anky-curved-browband

and for her jumping bridle I would like this:
http://www.delfinasaddlery.com/Bridles-Reins-Parts-Accessories/Dressage-Bridles/Delfina-Patent-Leather-Crocodile-Print-Padded-Dressage-Bridle-p184.html

with this browband: (my xc colors are navy and lilac)
http://www.delfinasaddlery.com/Browbands/Abalone-and-Floral-Pattern-Tibetan-Silver-Browband-p189.html