Shaped pad recommendations for my 18" saddle + bridles

[outerbanks77]

Dressage rider here dabbling in jumping. We now have a local series of Outreach shows and I’m toying with the idea of showing in hunters and/or eq just for fun, but I think I need a fuzzy shaped pad. My jumping saddle is an 18" Pessoa monoflap (I know not ideal for hunters, but I’m not changing it anytime soon) with a fairly forward flap. Can anyone point me to a shaped pad that might fit? I do have a super old-school Courbette shaped wool felt pad that is a natural/off white. Would that look wildly out of place?

Also, I have a fancy stitched bridle that is the style with the swell on the noseband and browband. It’s a little older having been bought used from a friend. If I replace it, is this style good for the show ring, or should I stick with the straight brow and noseband? Mare has a larger WB head, so I’d think a wider noseband will look best.

Here we are with said saddle and bridle. This pad is a large LeMieux mesh pad. Not looking to spend tons since this is our second discipline, but also don’t want to show up looking like I have no idea what’s going on

[NaturallyHappy]

Wilker’s can make a shaped pad to fit anything, I believe.

[Ponyplusaninch]

Yes, this is what I did for my very forward flap Amerigo. I went through Farm House, but I believe you can contact Wilkers directly. They’re very helpful!

[GreyDes]

Ecogold in XL might fit off the shelf - https://www.farmvet.com/Ecogold-Secure-Hunter-Saddle?location=&quantity=1&tack-and-equipment-size=87&tack-and-equipment-attribute=42&CAWELAID=120037530000030964&gbraid=0AAAAADsqH4uEt7tZoqh2_RI1SymTS7FPa&gclid=CjwKCAjwx4O4BhAnEiwA42SbVFyormHi47Or7GZQB_L8djRCGGlVoFRe-kToS2JeQ86c1D3guYPiZBoC78QQAvD_BwE

[Renn_aissance]

It will fit the 18” saddle but probably not the forward flap. Source: I have one. Great product though. Someone told me they can be custom ordered in different sizes but I’ve never looked into it.

OP, your bridle is fine (if the flash attachment is removable, do remove it.) What’s the half pad you have underneath? While the brown is not conventional and the half pad only thing is a bit out of fashion, if you can’t find a shaped pad to fit, doing only the half pad is fine for a low key outreach show.

[outerbanks77]

Thanks, it is a Winderen pad. It’s the thinner one that squishes down to almost nothing, so I’d probably ditch it and just use a shaped pad at the show.

I’ll probably cut the flash loop of this bridle and see if I can freshen it up with some dye and wax. Just ordered a show shirt and some tan breeches. I’ll up my game on boots, jacket, etc. if I decide to do more shows next year (the last one for the year is the end of this month).

I appreciate everyone’s input!

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

Most contoured pads have an 18-18.5" size option. Just toss your saddle in the car and bring it to the tack store to fit it to the pads. EcoGold, EquiFit, and Wilkers are all popular brands.
If you do the jumpers instead of the hunters, the white pad in your photo would be fine.
The rubber reins aren’t as traditional for the hunters… so probably invest in a pair of laced reins. Honestly, if you’re buying reins, you might as well just buy an inexpensive hunter bridle with reins for $200-300. Probably better than cutting up your existing one and replacing just the reins if you’re planning to show for more than 1-2 shows. The KL Select Red Barn (more expensive) and Black Oak (less expensive) bridles are decent for their price point and hold up.
Overall, the Outreach shows tend to be more forgiving towards traditional norms bc the whole purpose is to expand the sport and allow more to participate and experience bigger showgrounds.

[Renn_aissance]

Oh, goodness, don’t cut your nice bridle! You’re not going to the Olympics. It doesn’t matter what you look like. If you’re neat and tidy and your horse is well turned out, you have done enough.

[outerbanks77]

LOL, the reins are nice Nunn Finers that I just bought for more than I paid for this old bridle. I’ll step up to a proper hunter bridle and make sure I have laced reins if I decide to do recognized classes next season. This might all be too much for me. It’s funny how dressage turnout is so much less prescriptive these days in comparison

[Bristol_Bay]

Your horse is fine, too, by the way.

[outerbanks77]

@Tini_Sea_Soldier1

Most contoured pads have an 18-18.5" size option. Just toss your saddle in the car and bring it to the tack store to fit it to the pads. EcoGold, EquiFit, and Wilkers are all popular brands.

I live in Idaho, so not exactly a hotbed of English tack shops. I’ve got a Toklat coming from a CotHer, so I think I’m set.

Also being in Idaho I think the standard for hewing perfectly to the turnout norm might be a little lower. There is a much larger eventing community here, and these H/J shows are just starting to become more of a thing, which is nice for those of us who don’t have the constitution for galloping towards solid obstacles.

[Equestrian24]

If you do plan to eventually get a hunter bridle, this one is very nice for the price:
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/ovation-fancy-stitch-raised-padded-bridle-14406

Otherwise, I’ve found nice used laced reins on eBay, TackTack, and online consignment tack shops for pretty cheap! I’ve gotten several really nice used bridles that I wouldn’t hesitate to take to a show for great prices that way as well!

Per the pad, I hope the Toklat works out! Otherwise, I’d suggest trying out Wilker’s custom pads.

[outerbanks77]

@Equestrian24

If you do plan to eventually get a hunter bridle, this one is very nice for the price:
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/ovation-fancy-stitch-raised-padded-bridle-14406

I actually ended up finding a brand new Ovation Elite wide nose on eBay for $125! It fits my mare great, and looks nice.

The Toklat does juuuust fit my saddle, but maybe I’ll get a Wilker’s later.

My issue now is show shirts. I bought an RJ Classics and it is too narrow in the shoulders, so I bought a SmartPak that was on sale since I have some of their sun shirts, and it is too short in the sleeves.

[Renn_aissance]

I am broad-shouldered and find the Essex show shirts to give me enough room, if you haven’t tried those already.

Worst case scenario, if one of your sunshirts is a light-colored long sleeved mock neck, wear that under your hunt coat. No one will be able to tell from the judge’s box. My vet does all of her winter horse shows wearing a fleece turtleneck.

[outerbanks77]

Thank you!

I do have a light blue show shirt with a white standup collar. My jacket is mesh, so I definitely need something under it at the end of October!

Just looking at the show bill and decided to just do the Eq on Sunday since I have a busy week coming up and was getting frantic thinking about being ready to do the hunter classes on Saturday. The show venue has some very creative jumps that I’ve never had an opportunity to jump before, so it will be interesting to see how my girl handles it. I have done my best with different fillers and things at home.

[PopPopcorn]

I use a white Ariat Sunstopper show shirt and it fits my long gangly arms! I definitely found one for under $50 somewhere. Love it for a hot weather show under a jacket.

Then I save my Samshield show shirts for recognized/rated shows!

Just a tip

[Madison]

@outerbanks77

I bought a SmartPak that was on sale since I have some of their sun shirts, and it is too short in the sleeves.

Did you try the Hadley ones? I have those and the arms seem pretty generous in the sleeves, more so than my Ariat Sunstoppers for me. These colors are on clearance for $18.99 (and I have both for the hunters and love them)! https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/hadley-performance-bib-front-long-sleeve-show-shirt-by-smartpak-24000

[outerbanks77]

I ordered an Ariat from Amazon, so hope that fits. I almost bought a Hadley, but thought the color blocks might look weird under my mesh jacket.

[Madison]

Surprisingly they are fine under the mesh coats - I wore the peach color one under my navy mesh coat with no issue! They used to come in plain white also, but I don’t see them on the website anymore other than in short sleeve.

[HJdaydream]

I finally took the plunge and got an Ecogold Hunter show pad for my 18 in extra long and forward flap saddle. I’m very happy with the fit! This is a quick pic of me trying it on my guy (hence the towel to keep it clean incase it didn’t work for me). You can see there is enough drop to pull it up into the spine more as well.

P.s. they are pricey to purchase new but can often be found 2nd hand and cleaned up with a little TLC!