Fouganza
Romeo Flash Noseband Bridle
English Bridles
Manufacturer: Fouganza
Model: Romeo Flash Noseband Bridle
Category: English Bridles
Purchase: I bought this bridle in January 2007 from the Decathlon sports shop in Nottingham, UK as I was using a bridle on loan and needed one of my own (and also wanted to have one that matched my side saddle!).
Since I don't show and only hack out, I didn't want to spend a huge some of money on a bridle that was only going to be seen by the local farmers and dog walkers! Decathlon has a cheap and cheerful tack department and decided to try their "mid range" price bridle for £13.99 (GBP)(their cheapest bridle is £6.99 and their most expensive is £27.99). It comes with a flash nose band which can be taken off but but not come with reins.
I bought the Newmarket colored one as it matches my side saddle and the leather on the Newmarket colored bridles seem to be of slightly higher quality with much less cracking or wrinkling to the finish and more flexibility than the Havana colored ones.
The size I bought was Cob size to fit my 14.3 Arab mare.
Likes: I've had some cheapy bridles before that were so thin you could see through them and have ridden in some expensive bridles but I was quite pleased with this one when I got it home and studied it.
It fit Senara well although I did have to punch a few extra holes in the noseband to fit her tea cup sized muzzle but the browband is of the correct size for her head. I did not run out of holes on the rest of the bridle when fitting her.
The color suit's Senara's chestnut coat and the whole bridle looks stunning on her.
Dislikes: It is a cheap bridle so the leather is not going to be as supple as a more expensive bridle so it is a bit stiff but has started to get more supple with regular oiling and washing. I must reiterate, that the Newmarket leather is much better than the Havana version which may be something to keep in mind when buying a Romeo bridle.
The color has rubbed off a bit on the underside of the bridle but for hacking or schooling, this is not a problem.
Because my Arab has a dainty head, I do have a bit of extra length left at the end of the cheek pieces but the keepers do keep them down. For a "normal" Cob-type horse with a bulkier head, this may not be a problem.
Quality: It has a lot of little details that you often find on more expensive bridles like double leather lined bit loops on the cheek pieces, stud along with stud and slot closures to fasten the bit (unlike a lot of other cheapy bridles which use bulky buckles). The stitching is even with no missing stitches. The leather is even and of good thickness with no thin spots. The edges of the leather are smooth and finished as well and the metal hardware is of high quality as well.
It is one of the best economy bridles I have seen and tried.
Summary: I've had a lot of compliments on my bridle and everyone is shocked when they find out how much I paid for it! It's probably not high quality enough to be a show bridle but for hacking out and schooling or a second bridle, it's a bargain at the price.
Rating: 4
Author: Leila M.
Date: 2007-03-11
Usefulness Rating: 2.91045 out of 5.
67 reader(s) voted.
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