Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
If you follow along pretty regularly, you know that my trainer wants Izzy to go in a double bridle. The snaffle was simply not working, and the correction bit that I am using now is not a dressage bit, and according to my trainer, not likely to encourage Izzy to really take a good contact. It works great though which tells us that (for now anyway) some curb action is probably what he needs. I ordered a Bradoon Strap Hanger from our favorite online retailer, the Riding Warehouse. Unfortunately, the horse sized strap was simply too short. I also ordered the bradoon ($13.95) and weymouth ($35.95) bits from the Riding Warehouse at prices that I thought were quite easy on the budget, especially since the double is more of an experiment than anything else. The bradoon hanger has been returned, so now I am just waiting for the larger strap to arrive. In the meantime, I started poking around various websites in search of a fully assembled weymouth double bridle. They're pricey, of course, but I did find a version that I could (probably) live with quite happily. The Riding Warehouse carries a Bobby's Tack Padded Dressage Weymouth Double Bridle for the ridiculously low price of $174.95/$189.95 (cob & horse/warmblood). I can always use my regular 15% off coupon code, but with the holiday sales coming up, I suspect I can get even more knocked off the price. This bridle checks off all of my boxes. I already know going in that I am not going to get buttery soft leather, but for under $200 that's a given. On that note however, Riding Warehouse states that the bridle is "made from the finest Italian leather with scrupulous attention to detail." Works for me.
Other than leather quality (not getting premium leather on a Target budget), I am pretty picky about my bridles' details. I like simple lines without weird stitching, braiding, or colors. I don't go for patent or snake skin leathers, and I am definitely not into brown tack. I do love monocrowns, padded everything, and crown pieces that have a cutout for the ears. Check, check, and check. This bridle has it all. Christmas is coming, and my birthday follows the week after. I am pretty sure I can convince my husband that the double bridle would make an AMAZING birthday gift (horse size, please!). In the meantime, I can start using my current bridle as a double once the bradoon hanger gets here. Not that I am afraid of using the double, but I am not too upset that I have to wait for the bradoon hanger as Chemaine should be back for lessons in a week and half. It would be great for Izzy if she rode him with it first. We'll see how long it takes me to get it all put together. 11/23/2016 07:45:59 am
Good to know! I am using their rubber reins which I got a month or two ago. So far they are okay, but they're already starting to show some wear on the rubber part, but the leather is holding up fine.. I've loved everything I've ever gotten from them. It's not $$$$ French leather, but it's nice stuff for the price. A fellow boader has two of their bridles that she's had and used for years and they still clean up super nice. I think the only current piece I have from them is a drop noseband, but I really love it (I'm a bridle hoarder so I periodically have to cull and sell so I can acquire new and I don't think I have any complete Bobby's bridles at the moment, lol).
This might be a dumb question but are doubles allowed at all levels of dressage? 11/25/2016 08:49:44 am
Not a dumb question especially since USDF recently changed the rules regarding the double bridle. Right now, the double can be used at 3rd and 4th and in the FEI classes at the national level. At championships or international classes, FEI horses must go in the double bridle. Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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