Brown bridle, black saddle - to settle an argument

[moonlight]

well, a friendly discussion really , - would be interested in other views particularly as I haven't recently done much showing/competitions and the 'rules' seem to change. It's a bit trivial but here goes........

Scenario: young Sec D starting her ridden career. She wears a brown m2m hunter-style bridle and has recently grown so has a new saddle that is neat and shows off her front but is black. It was the best fit to be found at the time. She is likely to continue muscling-up so don't really want to buy her a 'permanent' new saddle until she is fairly much at her mature size.

Now, as her bridle is correct for her type, good quality and suits her, I think she should wear it in the ring even though the saddle is black (after all how much saddle can you see with a rider on top?). Another view is that her tack should at least match even if it is the 'wrong' colour.

I know in an ideal world both would be brown. Be interested in your views on the interim solution though.

[Milliesmum]

Well unless you're wanting to show at the very highest level, I'd just use what you've got and aim to buy a brown saddle when she's finished maturing.

[09rebel99]

I have friends who show in black tack although I prefer brown. I agree that if you are going to local shows it shouldn't really matter but I personally would never take anything out with different coloured tack. But I am quite particular about turnout. If I were in your situation and could not afford a new saddle I would get a black bridle so I at least matched. Good luck though :-)

[sbloom]

I guess it comes down to your choices - I do prefer brown in the show ring, so do you buy a new saddle or bridle? Personally I wouldn't especially if the bridle is good quality. Now if you can, perhaps borrow a black bridle? Otherwise go to the shows if you want the experience, if you're in two minds then maybe don't go. Try a couple of classes and see what the judges say? Then get her a wonderful brown saddle when she's stopped changing shape so much.

[guestp]

one of our horses has a black saddle. before he "retired" he had a brown show saddle to match his brown bridle. we no longer have the saddle so when he goes to a "party" he has to be mismatched. The saddle isn't even a show saddle. I don't think the judges are bothered one bit. It may be a problem in tack and turnout, but as long as the saddle fits, doesn't affect the aesthetic look of the horse e.g. forward cut flaps that cover the shoulder, then i'm sure you'll be fine.

[honeybees]

I personally prefer brown. You don't say what colour your mare is but how dark is the brown as no one may even notice?
If not just get a black bridle to match...or buy a brown saddle when she has finished maturing as MM said.

[notpicky]

We used to have our trad pony in a black bridle and brown suede saddle and that never stopped him!

I think that you should stick with what you have got if it fits the horse and when the time comes to get a new saddle for the long term look for a brown saddle!

At the end of the day yes matching tack completes the picture but the judge should be able to look past the colour of a ponys tack!!!

[moonlight]

Thank you all for your advice.

The pony is dark bay and the bridle is dark havana and made for her - it suits her a lot better than a black one ever would. So we will keep with that one.

Apart from the colour of the current saddle the rest of the turnout is correct for M&M, and as the little mare is just starting out (and I'm ring-rusty) I doubt if we'll be troubling the judge for a bit - we're going out to have a good time and make it a nice experience for the pony. I'm too ancient to be bothered about the comments of the 'ringside judges' (too hard-of-hearing to even catch 'em ;D), as long as the important one in the ring won't mind too much that's fine.

The pony can have a nice brown saddle when she's matured some more - at the moment she is changing so fast she'd be a different shape between measuring up and the saddle being delivered!