Showmark vs. Wellfleet- Figure 8

[lindsay.anne]

Which figure 8 bridle would you prefer? They are both priced just at the $290 mark and I’m not sure which to go for.

I have a Wellfleet Hunter Bridle that I do love the leather once I liked it up- but havent had it and used it long enough to determine the usage.

I’ve never really dealt with the Dover Showmark bridles- but I have a gift certificate to Dover which is why I’m considering it.

Anyone have experiences with one or both?

[Kat]

I have two showmark bridles, and I’ve had them for six or so years. One is the wide noseband which I love and use mostly as a show bridle, the other is one I used for schooling until the summer when my mouthy jumper broke the noseband while out on a trail ride. I have to say I do really love the bridles, I think they hold up well for the amount of use I put them through and the price point. right now I am contimplating getting the figure 8 noseband to replace my regular broken noseband

[Hawks_Nest]

I don’t have the full bridle, but I have a wellfleet figure 8 and I like it. It is a tad large (horse size, but my boy has a smaller head, so this is not a horrible thing). It has held up very well, the leather is nice, and the bit of sheepskin is not over the top. The buckles fall in good places on the head as well.

[BeeHoney]

I have to admit I don’t like the Showmark bridles. I have a Showmark and a Wellington, both of which I dislike and immediately relegated to schooling bridles. I also have several Smartpak bridles, which I like much more (not specifically the Wellfleet, though). I’d try the Wellfleet for sure.

[comingback]

I have a Showmark hunter bridle and I like it…now. When I first got it, the dye would bleed out regularly. This only happened when I cleaned it and thankfully it never bled on the grey horse I use it on.

It has stopped bleeding at this point when I clean it, and I actually quite like it now. The leather is supple and soft. I get complements on it regularly.

[lindsay.anne]

Thank you all. For a $300 bridle- I have to say I LOVED the reins, those things are awesome… but I was rather unimpressed. Not padded (other than the monocrown), but the figure 8 leather was thin and almost cheap feeling. And the sheepskin looked more for show than to offer comfort on the nose.

I currently have an ADT padded figure 8 stuck on one of my hunter bridles, but the noseband is a bit big. I may just punch holes so it fits better. But I believe I’ll be going with the Wellfleet. Thanks all!