I’m looking for a nice schooling bridle for a large pony. Ideally would look nice enough to show in if need be. I don’t want the cheap stuff but not going to splurge on a Edgewood. I’ve looked for used ones but it would seem everyone keeps their decent schooling bridles.
Budget? Smartpak Harwich, KL/Red Barn, Dover Circuit all come to mind. I’ve heard really good things about Ovation’s bridles, too.
I like Americana’s! Nice enough to show in, but not as pricey as an edgewood. They also aren’t dirt cheap, but not sure about the budget???
I have a Crown from Dover that’s doing well after two years. I’m not a fan of the Smartpak bridles - my Plymouth started peeling immediately and my Harwich stretched out quickly. Both have a weird fit.
I also love Bobby’s - nicer and more expensive than the Crown. They hold up really well and are certainly fine for the show ring.
I have a Bobby’s, Wellfleet, Plymouth, and HDR. Of those I think the Bobby’s is the nicest/held up the best, and I prefer the HDR to either of the Smartpak brands.
Dover Crowne padded bridles can be found on sale for under $70. I have several.
I would absolutely recommend the Bobby’s. By far the best quality for the price point and they wear very well. If you search Bobby’s english tack on Ebay, there is a lady in Colorado who sells them VERY reasonably with great service and free shipping.
I second (or third, or fourth?) Bobby’s. They’ve gone up in price a lot since I’ve bought mine but that is a reflection of their quality.
I have 2 “schooling bridles” from Schneiders Tack (SSTack.com) and both have gone to shows and looked great. Best value for the money, ever.
PS: The pictures do not do the tack justice.
Nunn Finer–I bought one for my DDs pony and we use it for shows too it looks so nice and has really held up well.
http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Nunn_Finer_Elena_Snaffle_Hunter_Bridle_with_Reins_/descpage-NFEB.html
I LOVE my Bobby’s bridles. They are beautiful and well made for the price. My black bridle I used for dressage on one horse became a trail riding and schooling bridle on another who didn’t want dressage. This horse would dunk her entire head in the watering troughs on the trails, and the bridle never seemed to be affected! I took good care of them, cleaning and conditioning regularly.
The new HDR bridles have this cool “stress free” crown and the leather is actually quite nice. Also - another vote for Bobby’s.
I have the HDR Comfort Crown. I have gotten quite a few compliments on it. I have had it for 2 years and it looks great. I ride in it all the time. Finnegan loves to play in water so it gets wet every time we trail ride which is at least once a week.
I love my Smartpak Plymouth bridle. I have two with the attached flash and absolutely love them. Got the first for my mare in 2013 and I’ll admit, I haven’t taken the best care of it, but it has held up very well regardless and I still use it for everyday and the occasional show (I event). I bought one for my gelding this year and love it for him too. I doubt you need a flash, but I think they sell one without or you can just remove. Catch a Smartpak sale and it’s about $70 I think.
I wouldn’t both with the Smartpak Harwich bridles. I have one and it fits strangely. Even after using/cleaning/oiling it for a few years, the leather is still very stiff. It’s junk.
I have an Ovation that has held up wonderfully as a schooling and show bridle for my mare, she’s been wearing it pretty much every day for the last five years and it still looks beautiful and has not stretched.
I also have a Bobby’s that is her sidesaddle bridle that is so soft and lovely, I would definitely recommend them.
For my medium pony who has the worlds strangest shaped head I actually had my local tack and leather repair guy make me one for $60. I get compliments on it all the time.
Try to google Amish made bridles. I have found some nice ones before and the leather is amazing.
Also, Dover is constantly having sales online and in the store.
I’ve had good luck with the Smartpak Harwich bridles. Though, at that price point it wouldn’t surprise me if the leather quality were to have some variability. The last few schooling bridles I’ve purchased have been Nunn Finer. A little more expensive than the Harwich, but a really good value I’d say. In fact, they are so nice that they seem to end up in the show ring. Most importantly, they wear well and look nice even after a little abuse or a season in the hunt field. I don’t have a pony size Nunn Finer, but I will say that their sizing runs a touch on the small side at least for the horse size, so a cob size might fit a pony with a not-so-tiny head.
I have a Crown bridle that has annoyed me with its cheap feel since the day I purchased it, no matter what it won’t seem to “break in” in a nice way. I also have one of the Dover Wellington bridles and I dislike that bridle as well, so I have no intention to buy a Dover brand bridle anytime soon.
Before you buy any bridle, check out where it was made. If it was made in India, I expect the price to reflect it.
I will second (or third?) the Ovation bridles. I’ve had several (padded event bridle, wide noseband hunter bridle, and a regular noseband bridle and all have held up really well and fit nicely).
Sent you a PM 
