A really nice 'keep you in' saddle to event in???

1

1588

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 June 2005
Messages
699
Location
Oxfordshire
Visit site
I have saved up my pennies and am ready to buy a nice saddle. Budget is about £1000.

It absolutely must have knee and thigh rolls as I am in need of a little extra reasurance before riding into fences sj and xc nowadays.

I am basically after a traditional GP/Jumping saddle that is really comfortable ans secure. I'm also not too fussed about the new single flap thingies but could be persuaded.

I have a Henri de Rivel Jumping saddle at the moment but it feels a bit 'half way house' even though its got the blocks etc so was thinking along the lines of a stubben.

I know this should really be in the tack part of the forum but was hoping to catch a few like minded folk's opinions in here.

Many thanks

grin.gif
 
I used to have a Stubben Edelweiss and loved it. It's close contact, very comfy and has just enough to keep you in place without there being too many "lumps".
 
I love jumping in the Albion K2 Jumping saddle. It makes me feel really secure however it is not the comfiest for everyday wear. The waist is quite wide. But I would recommend it.
 
I had a K2 which was fab on my cob, and great if you like big knee blocks! Didnt find it wide through the twist at all....didnt fit g at all though, event though it was his width fitting....
 
Have you tried a flatter seat for eventing?? having gotten used to racing saddles and flatter seat event saddles i feel sooooooooooo much safer in them!!!! I would NEVER event in a "keep you in" saddle.. Alot of the safety concious lot would agree with me too..

£1000 should get you alot more than you think, esp. if you think of buying second hand!
 
I agree with MDM I have moved away from keep you in saddles - I feel that you can react so much quicker in them and have a much better seat because you are not held in. I also feel they help your position a lot more.

But a saddle I loathe because it does hold you in is an Albion. It has massive knee and thigh rolls with what to me looks like a big deep seat. My friend has a K2 and it does all the above!
 
I used to have an Amerigo Pinerolo Close Contact Jumping saddle when I used to showjump ( now do dressage so have the dressage saddles which are also fab!!)- its great- its not too bulky and no matter what the horse does it keeps you in balance so that you feel secure but not restricted. The horses seem to go well in them as well.

Only thing is the price but if your horse has stopped growing and is fairly well muscled- they are worth every penny as they last for years.

I also used to have a Harry Dabbs (who makes Jaguar) Original AO which was a really nice saddle but it was flatter seated with no blocks so you are not restricted in anyway.

The Devoucoux's are nice saddles to ride in as well.

Hope you find something you like.
 
I have a 2nd hand jefferies hawk event, its sort of a more GP saddle, but really comfy, and i feel really secure in it.
Its definitely one i would consider again.
 
My daughter and her father love their Jeffries Perflexions, they don't make them new anymore but they are very secure to jump in. The latest fashion appears to be almost flat saddles which we don't like at all!
They often appear in second hand saddlers or ebay, and even when new retailed at around £800.
 
I agree, now have a flat seated saddle and love it...find big blocks very restricting! Have a Bates Momentum which is fab as a pure jump saddle.
 
Ditto above, dont like big blocks etc.
Love my flat seated Excelle single flap saddle. Its perfect for me
smile.gif
lets me get close to my horse without feeling restricted.
 
Well when I was just jumping we did have the proper close contact saddles which were almost like the racing ones you describe and although they were brilliant and i felt that i could really move with the horse.................. now that i am more of a hobby rider who is the first to admit that she can't see a stride as well as she used to I feel that if i rode into a fence in 1 of those i would be clinging on.

I now just want a secure feeling, I know that my horse can event over what i want him to with ease as he jumped up to a decent ish height as a 6 yr old. It's purely for peace of mind, if I feel comfortable and secure I will ride him to the fence rather than waiting and panicing at the last mo.

Does this make sense
smile.gif
 
I have an Excelle Integra single flap event saddle too!! I love the feeling it gives you of being really close to the horse. It comes in at just under £1000 new too!!!
laugh.gif
smile.gif
 
I'm not an eventer, but I hate the Albion K2 jumper. I find it very uncomfortable and while it is "secure" for jumping, I wouldn't fancy going xc or jumping a big class in it - it just doesn't give you enough space to move and adjust your seat in reaction to the horse.

I love the Devoucoux saddles, and second the Excelle integra, which is a lovely saddle for a good price. The Albion Kontact looks much better than the K2, but I haven't ridden in it. I swore by my Pessoa close contact saddle for years, but I know that it is difficult to find the really nice older ones any more.
 
I know its not a really nice saddle but i have a cheap wintec close contact saddle that i absolutely love! It has a flat seat but you can put whatever knee roll and thighs rolls you want in, plus you can put them where ever you like! The seats not incredibly flat either. If i could afford it i would have the bates close contact (the leather version of mine) or if my pony was a proper event pony i would have the momentum. Sorry if this is no help, just thought i would give my tuppence worth!!!
 
I am another who hates "keep you in" saddles. IMO they dont do you any favours whatsoever. You say you used to use close contact saddles, I would suggest you try them again and have some lessons on one with good jump trainer. I suspect that after a while of a "keep you in" saddle you will not be happy, having ridden on close contacts in the past, and end up losing mone by changing saddles again.

The Devoucoux are expensive but the Chiberta single flap saddle makes me feel very secure. Agree with others that a cheaper option would be the Excelle, not had a sit on one but look very good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top