Wide Noseband Hunter Bridle - affordable recommendations?

[hunter51]

Sorry for yet another tack thread but I am looking for a fancy stitched wide noseband bridle for my hunter. Of course, I’m in LOVE with Beval but can’t spend that type of money on a bridle. I’m looking for a more affordable option and so far I’ve come across the Smartpak Wellfleet version, Ovation, and HDR.

I’ve had problems with Wellfleet in the past - mostly incessant bleeding that ruined the stitching so I’m not really digging that option. Does anyone have any recommendations or opinions on the Ovation or HDR? TIA!

[BLBSTBLS]

Today SmartPak has 15% off of your entire order… the code is Party17

[silver_charm]

I’ve had good experiences with Ovation bridles in the past, though haven’t used their wide noseband version. I think they’re great quality for the price.

Secondly, if you have a bridle already and just want a different noseband, you can buy the wide Edgewood nosebands separately. I’ve done that and switch out between my plain raised and fancy stitched wide depending on the horse.

[Dramapony_misty]

I have an Ovation bridle that has oiled up nicely and has held up really well.
This one: http://www.ovationriding.com/ovation-fancy-stitched-wide-noseband-padded-bridle-with-raised-fancy-stitched-laced-reins-467189

[JenEM]

I have the Wellfleet model and have been really happy with it. No bleeding issues, broke in very nicely and looks good, though I do wish the noseband were actually a bit wider.

[jhg140]

I was very pleased with my Ovation wide noseband bridle. I think it was $110 new? I can’t comment on its durability, since it was only used at shows, but it seemed like it could have a few years in it (it’s since been sold, as I switched to jumpers).

One thing - the sizing seemed a little off, and I had to get the noseband taken in. An extra $25, but the bridle was definitely still attractively priced

[Draftmare]

I had the wide nosed Ovation bridle and really like it. Good quality leather for the price. https://goo.gl/photos/MurRcGFK5da91L2J7

[Lusoluv]

Bobby’s Fancy Stitched wide noseband bridle on Ridingwarehouse.com. Free shipping both ways and it’s about $159, I think.

[Backstage]

I have a Exselle Bromont bridle that I am quite happy with. No, it isn’t Beval quality, but it has gotten many compliments and is good quality. If you are in the US and order from a Canadian retailer, you can get an ever better deal due to the weak Canadian dollar.

Link here: http://www.bahrsaddlery.com/exselle-bromont-hunter-bridle.html

Here is a pic of my guy with the bridle on:

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11822507_10102333840886531_9086118233120549677_n.jpg?oh=3ba93789bd813436ca67ffda17dc7951&oe=58652DF6

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11665684_10102271080433981_4847549181455114435_n.jpg?oh=16bd6d8f479e7ff8407e1a81742fcb59&oe=587E3902

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8866015]
I had the wide nosed Ovation bridle and really like it. Good quality leather for the price. https://goo.gl/photos/MurRcGFK5da91L2J7[/QUOTE]

I will second the Ovation - made by the same company as Pessoa. It’s a good bridle for those on a budget. I think it’s more bang for your buck, anyway.

Another thing to consider is to snoop around Ebay and the like for Courbette bridles. They are out of style like bell-bottom jeans but BOY are they high quality and long lasting… your money can go a very long way if you shop Courbette only…

[LordWentworth]

I have the jumper version of this and am really happy with it. Was slightly worried buying something sight unseen at such a low price but definitely a good investment. Once I get back to showing, I’ll likely be buying the hunter bridle. Also have the jumper girth and it’s been great as well.

https://www.bridlesandreins.com/collections/bridles/products/royal-padded-hunter-bridle

[raisethebar]

http://www.sstack.com/English_Bridles_Hunter-Jumper/Joseph-Sterling-Hartford-Hunter-Bridle/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=paid_search_google_pla&scid=scplp8816144&sc_intid=37512&gclid=Cj0KEQjw1K2_BRC0s6jtgJzB-aMBEiQA-WzDMfxmtlawXt4_jZhxeZyrEmWQOny-Rv0R_RRNBNjOx2oaAldJ8P8HAQ

I have this for my boy that I show in. It isn’t the best leather, although I have been using it so I don’t have to switch out my bits all the time and it seems to be softening right up with regular use. I think my next move would be to hot oil it to see if we can get it to soften up.

I can email/message you pics if you would like to see it on.

[EmilyM]

Pessoa has a beautiful one.

[pattnic]

Eh, the Heritage wouldn’t be worth your money, anyway, OP.

A friend of mine has the Ovation, and it looks nice. I’ve always been of the opinion that Ovation does a really good product at a really good price point.

I think the “COTH Gold Standard” for quality meets value in a wide noseband bridle, however, is Aramas. If you search on here a bit, you’ll see references to it and threads where Lucassb has posted pictures of hers (and she knows her bridles!). The newer ones aren’t quite as nice as the older ones, but that or Ovation would be where I would start if I wanted to avoid Wellfleet (though, yes, the Wellfleet line is made by Harmohn Kraft, maker of Aramas).

[QUOTE=Backstage;8866071]
I have a Exselle Bromont bridle that I am quite happy with.[/QUOTE]

The Exselle line is what used to be Miller’s-era Crosby (stuff labeled “Crosby” now is not the same), but still has fairly low brand recognition, so often you can get pretty nice stuff for a very reasonable price.

Lovely pictures, Backstage - thanks for sharing! (I do not need another bridle, I do not need another bridle, I do not need another bridle…)

[hunter51]

Thank you all for the great feedback!! Leaning a bit towards Ovation…

[Madison]

If it makes you feel any better, the Beval Heritage is pretty but NOT worth the money - the burnished edge came off of mine before I could even use it and the leather was not as nice as it should be for the price, I returned it (kudos to Beval customer service for standing behind their products).

I don’t know what you are looking to spend, but I went with the Nunn Finer Caterina bridle and I LOVE it. The Aramas wide noseband bridle is also really nice and looks similar. Both are around $300 with reins included. FYI, the Nunn Finer takes up oil really well, so if you get one and it is dark to begin with, you may just want to clean and condition it and not oil it - mine turned basically a chocolate color that is very pretty but darker than I was expecting.

http://www.farmhousetack.com/nunn-finer-caterina-hunter-bridle/

http://shop.ordertenneys.com/bridles-accessories/aramas-bridle-1505/

[Dewey]

FWIW, I think the Ovation wide-noseband bridle is available at Just Bridles, which is going out of business. You might get a deal.

[SMRaven]

I have a wide noseband Collegiate bridle that I won at a show and I was surprised at how nicely it oiled up. I dipped it for a full 12 hours when it was new and condition it about once a week. It’s definitely not as nice as my other higher end bridles, but for the price it really surprised me! I think the wide noseband is the perfect width (a true WIDE) and looks really beautiful on my horse’s head.

[airineek]

I bought the Aramas wide nose hunter bridle and martingale. I like them. Bought them based on COTH Forum recommendations.The leather was pretty supple and easy to break in. The bridle was around $300 from Dover, but that included reins.

[Peggy]

I recommend the Ovation and you can probably assemble one at a low price via the Just Bridles closeout sale.
http://www.justbridles.com