John Whitaker bridles

[CurlyWurlyRach]

Whats the quality like? They're pretty pricey but i was wondering if they are actually worth it or are you just paying for the label?

http://www.johnwhitakerintltd.com/index.asp?sessionx=IW86IHqjIaqoIaqiNwB6IHqi

hope that link works, it should take you to the bridles section of the JW website.

 

[Afellpony]

You're paying for the name as well as the bridle. You have to ask yourself what can this bridle do that another make of (cheaper) bridle wouldn't?​

 

[Palomino Mare]

hi, i have a stubben but some others at my yard have JW stuff. I think the leather is good quality but i do think that you pay for the name. I havnt never clean my bridle and it still looks new!

i bought a made-to-fit bridle for my pony which cost the same as the "branded" tack. It broke-in really nicely and became really supple and i like that in a bridle. you dont get this with "branded" tack unfortunately. However, looking at the handmade bridle now, i wouldnt enter my pony into a show with it as it is showing its age, unlike the "branded" tack.

So, after that very scientificreview, i would say that a JW bridle is a worthwhile investment

amz x

 

[Fizz]

most sjers i know have it & will not buy another

 

[CurlyWurlyRach]

hrm..so divided opinions then! I must admit im quite taken by them....just so i can say i have a JW bridle for shows

 

[jovi_y2k2]

wouldn't touch one with a barge pole, they're not the best quality for the price you pay

 

[colettybetty]

I have stubben, sabre and pessoa bridles, but I'd love a JW, my pessoa has clips on the cheek pieces like some of the JW ones which is so handy for quickly changing the bit, or when out hacking all day, can drop the bit out for my horse to rest and graze during a break.

 

[CurlyWurlyRach]

Are clip cheeks strong enough to do XC or similar in? i suppose the cheeks could be replaced with buckles easily enough for certain occasions.

The bridle would only be used for shows/special events etc.

 

[colettybetty]

Are clip cheeks strong enough to do XC or similar in? i suppose the cheeks could be replaced with buckles easily enough for certain occasions.

The bridle would only be used for shows/special events etc.

Think from a safety point of view you'd need to replace them with buckle cheek pieces for XC.

 

[HorseHelen]

ive got a JW bridle (which i also bought for shows/special occasions)

i really like the quality of it but then again i didnt pay full price for mine as i got it brand new for £50 on ebay

 

[capalldubh]

I have a JW - it was one of the things I managed to bargain in with the price when I bought Jackson

It is by no means new - I don't know how old exactly - but seems nice quality, cleans up well and has pretty brass buckles. It's not showing any signs of wear in the places that matter either and the stitching is good still.

I think it is nice, but not the nicest I have seen by a long shot (would really like a Jaguar one and as mine is brown and new saddle will be black, I might be spending a lot of time on eBay shortly ).

ETA mine is the first one pictured, but cavesson, not flash - no clips, cheek pieces end in a buckle.

 

[Afellpony]

When you're too old to showjump, you become a 'bridle designer'!!!​

 

[CurlyWurlyRach]

When you're too old to showjump, you become a 'bridle designer'!!!​

oooo lol. John's still got his nerve tho, hes braver than i am and hes old enough to be my grandad.....

 

[showjumper-zoe]

We had a JW bridle specially made for our 128cms but when it came the quality of the leather was so bad we said we wouldn't have it, also a lot of people have said there bridles are bad quality.

I love stubben bridlework

 

[Daffy Dilly]

It is exactly for the reason that all the SJ's in the area have one that I wouldn't.

Out of such types of bridles, I'd have a Stubben or an Otto Schumacher any day. Otto Schumacher bridles are fantastic and different, just cost more than most other bridles.