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Matching english tack?

i just got a new black english bridle and i am looking for a new used saddle. can i get a tan or light brown saddle? or should i stick to dark brown/black saddles? i just show at local shows for now, is this ok or does my tack have to match? i ride a solid black horse so thats why i kinda want to stick with darker tack, but i am just wondering what my options are.
thanks!
just remebered, i have a pair of older (but still good) stirrup leathers and they are medium dark brown, if i do get a black saddle can i use the stirrup leathers or is it not a good idea?

Honestly, I would stick with a very dark brown or black saddle, girth, etc., especially if you are going to be showing.
I tend to think that dark tack looks best on black horses… So if you can find one, I would suggest a black saddle, and a close second choice would be a very dark brown one.
For local shows, it really doesn’t have to match exactly, but for, say, Hunter Jumpers, a lot of judges would like it more if they did match. It looks a bit more put together. Plus, you never know how long you are going to have the tack. You could end up going to A-rated shows relatively soon, in which case your tack should match.
Email me if you have more questions :)

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 9:13 pm and is filed under english tack. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

9 Responses to “Matching english tack?”

  1. Honestly, I would stick with a very dark brown or black saddle, girth, etc., especially if you are going to be showing.
    I tend to think that dark tack looks best on black horses… So if you can find one, I would suggest a black saddle, and a close second choice would be a very dark brown one.
    For local shows, it really doesn’t have to match exactly, but for, say, Hunter Jumpers, a lot of judges would like it more if they did match. It looks a bit more put together. Plus, you never know how long you are going to have the tack. You could end up going to A-rated shows relatively soon, in which case your tack should match.
    Email me if you have more questions :)
    References :

  2. Stick to dark brown. A light color would look odd with the bridle. Of course, if you don’t show, it doesn’t matter.

    If you ride Dressage, however, get a black saddle, no exceptions.
    References :

  3. I like to match my tack, but at a local schooling show, it shouldn’t matter as long as it is properly fitted, clean and not completely falling apart. Matching tack will give a better presentation to a judge. While a judge can’t technically judge on tack, blatantly mismatched tack will be distracting to a judge and will detract from the judges opinion of your performance. I would suggest trying to find a black or dark brown saddle to match the black bridle.
    References :

  4. One Bad A$$ Mistake America on February 26th, 2010 at 4:33 am

    A black saddle would look best, but don’t let that discourage you from getting a saddle thats a different color. It doesn’t really matter, black goes with anything! Just go for comfort :)

    edit- and if you think you will be doing higher level hunters or equitation, black tack isn’t allowed, so you would want a brown saddle then get another bridle.
    References :

  5. My personal preferance is to match, at home and in the ring. I would stick to black or if you have to, a dark brown. As long as you pick a well cared for well fitting saddle you won’t have any problems! Plus I like the darker colour against a black horse.

    Good Luck!
    References :

  6. You should get a dark brown/ chocolate saddle.
    I have a reddish bay, and i have a light reddish brown saddle, and a brown bridle and a brown breast plate.
    Here is some pictures of me n my horse at a show.
    http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww132/Amber_woodward_2009/Sunder%20Land%20Fair/SunderLandFair024.jpg

    http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww132/Amber_woodward_2009/Sunder%20Land%20Fair/moresunderlandfair385.jpg
    References :

  7. You ride at local shows right now, and they don’t really care if your tack does not match. (I mean they will not kick you out or tell you that you have to show au concours if your tack doesn’t match.)

    So… buy the absolute best quality and fit of saddle that you can afford, regardless of the colour. The bridle is the cheap half of the equation, and when you have finished this show season, or the next, you might be ready to step up into a higher level of show, where they will care what your tack looks like.

    When you do that, go out and find a bridle to match your saddle. Myself, I would much rather ride in a well-fitting Passier saddle of any colour, than in a lesser saddle that is dark. You will ride better, your horse will go better, and you will have a saddle that will retain more value and last longer (potentially).
    References :
    Common sense.

  8. If you don’t show, it doesn’t matter.

    Most experienced equestrians have at least one picture of themselves riding in an english saddle, with a western bridle, some crazy tee shirt, and hot pink polo wraps…. or some other wacky combo.

    Relax, and ride what feels good.

    Just try to find the best you can afford, that fits you well, that you enjoy riding in the most.
    References :

  9. I would do this: black dressage saddle and bridle brown jumping/all purpose saddle and bridle
    If you only do ap or jumping and you eventually want to go on to bigger shows brown ap/jumping tack otherwise if you don’t get a darker ap/ jumping saddle to match
    References :

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