What defines an 'Event Bridle' to you?

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Oliviaandsparrow

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Hi! I have been asked to make a bridle for the winner of one of the young horse classes at gatcombe this year. The only brief I have is that it has to be an 'event bridle suitable for eventing. Supplied with suitable reins and bit.' Helpful ;)
I do event myself so am aware of current 'trends' but Im having thoughts about what makes an event bridle different from any other bridle!
Im going to gear it more to the sj and xc phases probably so thinking continental webbing reins and as its a young horse class probably a sprenger full cheek.
BUT what noseband would you expect it to have and what sort of overall look would you like?
Thank you in advance!
 
Just a flash noseband, the bridles we used at work as lorry bridles were Kate Negus, for me it was the quality of the leather and the fittings that made the difference. I really like brown bridles with gold fittings the the cheek pieces to have the clips rather than buckles if you know what I mean?
 
Given that it's to be a prize would you consider providing a cavesson, drop and grakle? Would make it a real multipurpose bridle. I would also add a flash with a removable flash attachment. For a bit rather than the expense of a Sprenger when you don't know what the potential winner uses/wants I would put a simple brass snaffle on it. I always think they are nice smart looking bit and will always have a use. Reins I only use rubber reins myself but the continental webbed also sound like a good choice. If saving the cost of the Sprenger bit would cover the extra nosebands I think this would be a fab way to go
 
personally no clips for the bit attachments only buckles or billets as I personally would never go XC in a bridle with clip attachments as I just think they are that bit more likely to break.

Personally would possibly put a grackle or flash (with fully detachable flash strap) noseband and a lozenge loose ring snaffle as most of the young horses in the class will prob already or very nearly 'outgrown' a full cheek snaffle. Reins wise plain rubber without stoppers will most likely be more universally friendly and brown not black ;)
 
Thank you for ther responses! I had already planned brown and brass so thats good. Re the Sprenger bit, its the Lorinery Company that have asked and will be footing the bill so I wanted to use the best quality metal work available which they encourage in the industry ;)
But good thought about maybe outgrowing the full cheek...
 
Would it not make sense to use a British made bit, given the circumstances?

I'd agree re no snaps. Some people really don't like them, wheras stud billets are pretty innocuous.
 
I would keep it simple, not too fancy. Definitely not clips, they are not safe for cross country. A flash noseband would be the most commonly used noseband but not too narrow is kinder for the horse. Rubber reins are the most popular - continental are not so easy to slip over drop fences and I think most people use 5/8". The bit is more difficult to predict as comparatively few will go cross country in just a snaffle particularly as they go up the grades. Many will use a cheek to aid steering and prevent the bit sliding through the mouth.
 
With everyone who says brown and brass, and rubber reins. I also agree re no clips, I prefer buckles to billets, which tend to stretch more in my experience. I also like to see the leather extended under the buckle particularly on the flash strap so there it is less likely to pinch soft nose skin (softy!) - if you get what I mean.

A nice plain cavesson nose band with a detachable flash, much more useful if you have a young horse and you need more options.

I used to get a small gold brass name plate put on the near cheek piece - so that when my boy went to school (!) his bridle was easily located. Could be a nice touch?

Sounds like a great opportunity for you :)
 
mitchellk said:
I used to get a small gold brass name plate put on the near cheek piece - so that when my boy went to school (!) his bridle was easily located. Could be a nice touch?
Click to expand...

The fashion in North America is to get the plate put on the top of the crownpiece so it's not visible but is, as you say, very useful.


Thinking re the bit. . . could they sponsoring company not organise a sponsored bit? As everyone has said, it's impossible to predict what "most" eventers will want/need so perhaps the bit itself should also be seen as an advertising opportunity for someone? What about speaking to Hippus or another company with a relatively little known product?
 
Got to be rubber reins, from experience of trying webbing reins XC they are an absolute nightmare, even worse if the horse is even remotely strong. Hardly anyone in this country uses the webbing reins.
 
Thank you again! Interesting re the reins. I have always used webbing reins (the ones with the stops!) for strong horses and wouldnt go xc without them but if everyone else is saying rubber then might rethink that!
General consensus seems to be a flash noseband, and of course it will have the guards behind the buckle on the flash etc. It will be aimed around a comfort bridle.
 
Could you provide options for the reins? I can't be the only female rider with small hands out there who uses rubber reins but always buys fairly narrow ones to make them easier to hold?

I'd agree with brown and brass and with billets not clips. I hate buckles in the place of billets as they look messy and fussy to my mind.

One bridle I bought recently came with two sets of cheek pieces, one shorter one longer, which makes it brilliantly adjustable and means whatever bit I use I can adjust it to fit, and it fits a wide range of horses.

The bit is problematic because it will be very personal to the horse/rider combination and the size will be specific to the horse. Could the bridle come with a voucher for a bit of their choice from a loriners?
 
Could you make (or do you have) a token "sample bridle" to be given away at the prize giving, that the winner can exchange for a bridle of their choice? There are so many different bridle and bit options out there, that way the winner would definitely get what they like/need.
 
ooh how lovely!

for me, a comfort bridle with a cut over the ears if possible. Not webbing reins, I see more rubber grip reins than anything else.

I think a grackle noseband is good but most people use a flash - I prefer lots of padding so use a crank noseband even though I don't use it really tight.

Also I like clips so that you can change the bit quickly - this might make it useful for young horses and for those who event with the same bridle. clips on the reins and the cheek pieces.

jsut a tought :)

ETA: I have changed my mind! I like the idea of clips, but they don't look at nice - the photo on the front of last weeks H&H has a horse with clips. Not as tidy as the old fastioned ones.
 
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Yes I'd say a flash noseband but with a fully detachable flash attachment.
I prefer billets rather than clips or buckles, I think they're smart.
I think a nice shaped, thick and padded head peice would look lovely, maybe quite padded on the noseband too - I also use a crank but I'm not sure how popular they are with eventers!
I prefer rubber reins too, I have some really nice 'eventa' reins, love them.

What about a fancy stictched or blingy browband :p ;)
 
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