My daughter is just getting into showing her Arabian horse in the Western category. Her trainer recommended weighted rommel reins. We bought some that are plain (no silver) for her to train with. Now the trainer wants us to spend $500-800 on show reins.

Is there anyway to modify or add silver to her existing reins to jazz them up for the show arena?

We are new to this and hesitate to spend that much money initially in case our daughter does not stick with it.

Do the look of reins matter that much in the show arena?

Any thoughts or insight will be most helpful. Thanks,

Yes, Hate to say it but the quality of your tack does make a difference.

But, There is hope;
She probably has you shopping from Scheinders tack, find what you want in there and than go to ebay.
Also look at the Arabian horse web sites classified section. You can also go to the Morgan and Saddlebred web sites. Try typeing in used 'silver rommmel reins' Post wanted ads at, feed stores, tack stores, post office, grocery store, horse shows[ lots of people are putting on the inside of porta pots] any/every where. It will take a little leg work, but you can save about 90%
You can do other tack and show clothes this way as well.
Good Luck and have a great season.

Ugh, no doesn't make 5 to $800 difference to me. If you really think she needs them, see if you can't find used. You possibly could find the silver sets, and see if they have anything to add to your reins. I'm not sure, I usually see the Saddle sets for Silver, but I have seen a few Bridle sets (not sure if reins included).