Ask H&H: Carl Hester’s patent bridle
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See pictures of Carl Hester and the Winter Dressage Championships 2009
Q: I spotted a picture of Carl Hester riding Sarah Tyler Evans’ Movistar at the Winter Championships in what looks like a sparkling bridle. What is it and where can I get one?
LM, Yorkshire
The noseband and browband on Carl’s bridle are made from patent leather. This entails coating normal leather with a lacquer or plastic layer to give a high-gloss finish.
Why does he use it?
A fan of Konig’s patent leather riding boots that catch the light, Carl has been trialling Amerigo’s patent leather bridle, which goes on general sale in June.
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The bridle he is pictured using is a double bridle with black padding beneath the browband and noseband. However, there are no diamantes or jewels used to create the “sparkly” effect, which is just a trick of the light on the patent coating.
What are the alternatives?
If you want some sparkle outside, away from the lights, websites such as www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk and www.classicdressage.co.uk sell a range of diamante and bejewelled tack.
Information
Price: £279 (double bridle) and £259 (snaffle)
Zebra products, tel: 01942 681002 www.zebraproducts.co.uk
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