What tack to buy for showing - guidance please.

[Tallyho]

Hi all,

I am looking to buy new tack for my 4yo to show in this year, his first year of ridden showing.

He is a Riding Horse / LW hunter type. Has a beautiful head but handsome not pretty pretty with broad cheeks.

I'm thinking plain cavesson snaffle bridle for novice classes and the same bridle with a pelham for open (not really thinking of putting a double on such a baby).

Which brand of bridle do you favour - there are so many styles these days!

Also, he needs a new saddle as is broadening out. He'll do a bit of everything outside of showing so thought a WH saddle might be the best bet. Any recommendations on saddle types / makes / makers?
Would he be marked down for a Pelham
Rather than a double in open classes?
Would he be marked down for a WH saddle in a flat class?

I want to get the most suitable, quality tack i can afford.

I'd rather not have to repeat purchase for different classes. Although will get a double next year.

Any suggestions?

[bumblebee]

I personally like Jefferies bridles - with mine I've just brought a separate sliphead so I dont have to get a whole new bridle when I want to show him in a double. Plain flat noseband is fine.

Saddle wise, I have a Paul Jones working hunter saddle - nice leather one, cost about £750 brand new, and I've never had any comments about it for flat classes (I had a judge ride my horse the other week and she commented on how lovely and comfy it was). Also great as an all round saddle - I happily hack/jump in mine, plus they're adjustable so ideal for babies that are changing shape (needs a saddle fitter with the machine to adjust it though).

[reb]

Total Impact Equestrian now allow you to buy different nosebands, browbands etc to make up a bridle that best suits your horse. Definately worth a look

[danniebmum]

fylde saddlery 01995 670332

[pn.x]

i have a thoroughbred.
he has a Jefferies bridle which i LOVE, he wears a Pelham which he goes beautifully in, (mouth is too small for a double)! and his saddle is a Samantha.

i have also been told Fylde is great!
good luck finding the right tack, and good luck when you bring your boy out showing. ;D

[adam321pink]

jeffries bridles are definately the best. derby house have a nice copy if you want something a bit cheaper.

i have a farrington wh saddle and i love it, again the derby house samber is the same.

a double is the correct bit for open classes and judges would expect to see a four year old in one. hunter breeding classes are shown in hand in doubles from two years.

however in truth there would be nothing stopping you using a pelham. personally i dont see the point in pelhams as long as you have good hands and are gentle there is no reason why you couldnt get him used to the double... used right they are milder.

[xxshowponyxx]

Im another fylde fan. Have a look at their website or visit their stand at a show. You should be able to get everything you need from them and also I find it holds it value really well if you have to have to have a change at any point in the future. Peter will also part ex his own saddles or alter them.

[sbloom]

If you are looking for one saddle to ride in every day, and to show in, them do think about horse comfort as well as getting it fitted by a professional fitter. Too many show saddles have REALLY thin panels that have two issues - they do not really cushion the horse's back from the tree and the weight of the rider, and without any depth at the back they tend to sit cantle low putting all the rider's weight on the back half of the saddle. When out fitting I commonly see saddle shaped indentations where this has happened - these horses and ponies then need much deeper panels and a correction numnah to help the back heal.