Reins?

Welcome to the world of Hunters: where I tell my girls that true beauty is on the inside... and then tell them they have to dress a certain way and have certain tack and that looks matter. ;)

Yeah unfortunately buckles on the outside look unpolished or like schooling reins. Have you looked at HDR reins? Ditto to whoever said that cheap reins can bleed and be uncomfortable. HDR generally isn't too pricey but mine are butter soft and look great.

Point of clarification -

There's a difference between buckles and hook studs.

Buckles on buckled reins, like the right hand side of the photo, do go on the outside and are seen on dressage bridles, schooling bridles and event bridles.

Hook studs, like on the left hand side of the photo, are meant to mimic sewn in bits, go on the inside, and are the expected look for hunter bridles.

Thanks Maura for the clarification! (as always!)

I actually prefer buckle reins, as I think the connection point is stronger and they don't wear as easily. Probably why they're so common with eventers. With hook stud reins, you have to check the hook studs for loosening and the leather surronding them for cracking.

However, the do have the smoother, cleaner look that's desirable in the hunter ring.

Yep and guess where I got the buckle reins from...an Event bridle makes so much sense to me now, thanks Maura!!

PS now because my current bridle has a little flash attachment which is a hunter no-no (I cut it off but you can still kinda see it), I am searching for a new BRIDLE...and I figure I might as well get a Hunt bridle, that comes with the laced reins with the hook closure on the inside and kill two birds with one stone! Soooo bridle suggestions?

What's your budget?

HAHA that's the golden question, isn't it? Well since I already have a fairly nice bridle (HDR Pro Event) that I think I paid like $80 or something like that for, I do want to stick around that price range...not much more than $100 if I can swing it, to get something nice quality.

Oh, and must be dark Havana to match my tack! Here's a photo from the show this weekend so you can see how dark my tack is:

I would suggest Ebay! That's where I get all my bridles. I have a bit of a bridle fetish... HDR makes some decent bridles. I don't like their cheapest ones as much but the one that's padded and fancy stitched is actually quite nice for the price. And very very soft. The only thing is that it's a whole lot redder then any other "oakbark" I've seen. The edges are quite red. But the reins are comfortable in my hands and it holds up well.

One of my favorite middle of the road bridles are Circuits (by Dover). I've found them on Ebay for about $100 (if you're patient). I got a brand new one on tack trader for $60! I actually have 2 and the quality difference is noticable. I heard the ones that come free with the Circuit saddles aren't as nice. (interestingly my $60 one was the nicer one). I forgot how to tell the difference... I think the name is on the crownpiece or something? I really liek this bridle though (both of them). I use it in hunter divisions at A shows and they're great.

Ovation actually makes a spectacular bridle for the price. I think they're a little over $100. Next to Circuits I think these are my favs.

I found a brand new Arc De Triomphe on Ebay for $150!! ZOMG. It's my jumper bridle but ZOMG. It is a pretty pretty piece of tack....

All that to say, look on ebay. I'd go with padded and fancy stitched (that's what's in style).

Thanks for the tips!! I checked out ebay already but didn't find anything that would match my tack. But I'll certainly keep an eye out there.