I had never heard of the bridle2fit. Thanks for the information!
Planning on going shopping at Dressage at Devon, so this thread has been very helpful.
I have a Stubben dressage bridle I bought in the early 2000’s, pulled it out of storage and used it on my new guy and it still looks great. Even at almost 20 years old. Sadly, I need a new one as my current horse is a cob, not OS.
I do have a Schleese bridle that I love the quality of, even though it’s quite plain. I found mine on Ebay but they also have doubles in Cob-O/S on the Schleese site.
Someone at the barn purchased a really nice Keiffer recently. The quality looked great.
I am enjoying my Solo Equine bridle, but it’s a lower price point. The quality is good for that price point (~200 range).
Also Equipe makes some gorgeous bridles, beautiful leather quality and stylish.
Stubben vote here! I had a couple Jerry’s- black label and whatever the next leather grade down was- definite difference in leather but still nicer than a lot of other bridles produced. It is too bad they’re no longer made.
Years ago I bought a Passier because I needed a different size than the Jerry’s and I wanted patent. Not bad, but I wasn’t overly pleased with how it broke in for the price. Ended up getting another Stubben- my last Stubben looked great after being an everyday bridle for 5+ years before my friend took & used it another 8+/- years. I’m happy with the leather and construction of the new one. For what it’s worth, all my bridles have been brown leather.
Evision in the Uk (?) has had good reviews from what I’ve read, but I haven’t seen any in person.
I have three Otto Bridles and love each of them. My oldest is over 10 years old now and in great condition. It hasn’t stretched and I clean it usually at least every week and a wipe down after most rides. Mine are all the same model - the venedig. Two snaffles and one double. I like that I can order parts if anything breaks or I need a custom size (shorter cheeks for my mare etc). or I could order a new noseband for showing etc. I have waited and bought them all with huge savings from the UK on sale for a fraction of the price that they would be at home in Canada.
I have a Passier rolled double that I bought as NOS from a shop going out of business a few years ago. The leather is the nicest I have seen in black. As a former hunter princess (and leather snob) I have long struggled with the lesser quality that seems to be common with black tack, so I bought it even though I had no use for a double at that time. I also have an Antares dressage bridle that is lovely quality, but it was $600+ so I’d sure expect it to be nice!
About 10 years ago I had a SERIOUS PROBLEM with Stubben bridles… one of our local tack stores frequently got shipments of discontinued / “scratch and dent” Stubben bridles that they sold at half price and I bought so so so many of them.
I think Stubben produces some of the most consistently high-quality bridles on the market.
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Kate Negus has been making bridles for all the top names in the UK for several years. She can make what you want, as well as wide variety of styles etc of the peg. The leather and workmanship are excellent
I’ve bought two rolled bridles by Schockemohle (sp?)–a black snaffle and brown double. Love both of them. I can’t speak to the quality of new Schumacher bridles, but I have one from the 90s that is absolutely pristine. Also like my Passier Hubertus Schmidt. I have a Keiffer snaffle (about 12 years old) that, for the price point, was a good buy. I did have to replace the crown piece as the interior was getting badly worn, but that seemed fair considering the age and heavy use it got.
ETA: I’ve had really good experience buying from Classic Dressage in the UK. Much cheaper even with the shipping, and they are very customer service friendly. https://www.classicdressage.com/advancedsearch.aspx?Term=Helmet&utm_source=Classic+Dressage&utm_campaign=61cb231fbe-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_08_17_01_47&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_61e698558c-61cb231fbe-112728953&mc_cid=61cb231fbe&mc_eid=688552777b
Thanks for the suggestions. Really like the bridle2fit and checking out the others!
