Albion K2 Jump- honest opinions?

Michen

Michen

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Please? My saddler has recommended one for Bear, well both horses seem to fit the VSD version I've tried on them nicely but it's too long and I need more forward cut. The one I have access to is old (10 years ish), heavy and quite hard.

I'm told the newer ones are lighter and softer. My finger is hovering over the buy it button for a nearly new one @ £1400.. on the adjusta tree. But I can't bring myself to feel enthusiastic about it for some reason.

Can someone sing their praises and make me feel better about spending the money :D

If I didn't like it they seem fairly likeable to most to resell?
 
I had a saddler out for a new jump saddle yesterday and tried an Albion. I found it quite narrow in the seat, I’m a size 10 and found my seat bones were on the edge and it was uncomfortable. It was a 17 inch saddle and I normally ride in a 16.5 in a gp and dressage saddle with no issue. That said I know quite a few people who have them and rave about them.
 
I have an old K2 which I love and my saddler loves too. It really sits in the horse not perched on top - she raves about the tree shape.

Blocks are great and really secure from spinning , spooking , over exuberant jumping etc.

I find it really comfy vs others and they seem to hold their value as a reputable brand.

It has short panels which suit my modest height v well

Mine is fixed tree so can't comment on that model.
 
Kizzy2004 said:
I had a saddler out for a new jump saddle yesterday and tried an Albion. I found it quite narrow in the seat, I’m a size 10 and found my seat bones were on the edge and it was uncomfortable. It was a 17 inch saddle and I normally ride in a 16.5 in a gp and dressage saddle with no issue. That said I know quite a few people who have them and rave about them.
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Kizzy can I ask which saddler as you are not far from me if New Forest.
 
Martin Andrews Fitted Saddles. He’s very good, he brought loads of saddles out for me to try, varying prices, not pushy and didn’t rush. He was with me nearly 3 hours yesterday (I was trying some dressage saddles too).

Opted for an Optimum Performance saddle in the end, super comfy saddle
 
Kizzy2004 said:
Martin Andrews Fitted Saddles. He’s very good, he brought loads of saddles out for me to try, varying prices, not pushy and didn’t rush. He was with me nearly 3 hours yesterday (I was trying some dressage saddles too).

Opted for an Optimum Performance saddle in the end, super comfy saddle
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Thanks, I do have him booked in anyway for April (soonest he could do) so maybe I'll just hold off buying something until then...
 
I loved my old horses. It was the first time I sat in and realised what a massive difference to security a saddle could give!
However more recently I borrowed one to try on my newer horse and absolutely hated it! It was an old well used one but felt just awful.
 
I have one. I find it really comfy and secure for jumping, hacking and XC but I don’t jump bigger than 90cm really. I do wonder if for hunting or anything bigger than 90cm it might be hard to get out of the way in it if you got in a sticky spot because it’s quite deep as jump saddles go especially the cantle.
I like that it’s adjustable, the leather is good quality and I had the panels shortened (17” on a 17.5” seat) to my spec. They sell well second hand as well so there’s always that if you need to move on.
I have a dressage for flatwork, I’m not sure I would like to do all my flatwork/dressage in it and I can tell when I’ve not ridden in it for a while, really struggle to sit in canter but that’s more me and my duff body/limbs than the saddle!
 
Have had a K2 on a full ID and on an ID x TB - they suit me for hunting, make me feel secure. However, I then tried the Albion Revelation XC which is a monoflap on the ID x TB and that then raised things to another degree and took me back to my eventing days. :) Hunting with various Shire packs.

Have since moved on to another saddle, but that is a whole different story.

The saddles were a 17.5/18" ...I am a size 10/12 (depending on the season!) but dispraportionately long in the femur...or, so I am told.
 
Kizzy2004 said:
He holds a lot of stock so may be worth waiting and trying a few.
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Did you get yours straight away or were most demo saddles so then had to be ordered? I can hold off for the 5 weeks until he comes but can't really wait another 6 weeks plus for most saddles to be made...

Hmm!
 
I have one and I do everything in it. Mainly hacking, with lots of fast work, dressage and endurance. It's v secure and comfy.
 
I could have had one straight away but he didn’t have the colour I wanted in stock. I brought a dressage saddle as well and have that already. The one I ordered is a 3 week lead time.

Maybe message the appointments number and ask if any cancellations happen if you can get an earlier appointment.
 
Kizzy2004 said:
I could have had one straight away but he didn’t have the colour I wanted in stock. I brought a dressage saddle as well and have that already. The one I ordered is a 3 week lead time.

Maybe message the appointments number and ask if any cancellations happen if you can get an earlier appointment.
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Yep have done. Thanks.
 
Michen said:
Did you get yours straight away or were most demo saddles so then had to be ordered? I can hold off for the 5 weeks until he comes but can't really wait another 6 weeks plus for most saddles to be made...

Hmm!
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Just FYI a lot of Walsall made saddles (Albion I think being one) were taking 16weeks just before Xmas - not sure what the situation is like now but worth ‘bearing’ (pardon the pun!) in mind!
 
sherry90 said:
Just FYI a lot of Walsall made saddles (Albion I think being one) were taking 16weeks just before Xmas - not sure what the situation is like now but worth ‘bearing’ (pardon the pun!) in mind!
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Hehe! yep had heard the same re Black Country.

Argh
 
sherry90 said:
Just FYI a lot of Walsall made saddles (Albion I think being one) were taking 16weeks just before Xmas
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I think you may find that is still the case.

In fact, quite a few of the saddle makers in Walsall have closed on and off due to COVID - some for quite a length of time, which will push their lead times up even more.
 
I have a K2 and have evented (all three phrases up to 100) and hunted big country in it. It’s my go to saddle if I want to feel secure whilst jumping or on something fresh/bouncy. It’s not super stylish but polishes up well and rides nicely. Haven’t had my saddler not be able to fit it to any of my ISH/warm blood types but it didn’t fit my narrow-medium mare. That obviously could just be size but just personal experience it didn’t fit the finer types.

The main drawback is I find it can be very sore when hacking in walk and doing my many miles of fitness work in the summer. I tend to get quite a numb bum and end up standing in the stirrups a bit for relief (and to build some strength!). I don’t really notice it hunting but then I’m preoccupied riding etc.

I also have an Albion kontrol which is very similar and better for finer horses IME. It is also much comfier.
 
Daughter has had her K2 Jump for about 10 years now and loves it. She hunts and events up to 2* in it and says it makes her feel very secure.
 
SOS said:
I have a K2 and have evented (all three phrases up to 100) and hunted big country in it. It’s my go to saddle if I want to feel secure whilst jumping or on something fresh/bouncy. It’s not super stylish but polishes up well and rides nicely. Haven’t had my saddler not be able to fit it to any of my ISH/warm blood types but it didn’t fit my narrow-medium mare. That obviously could just be size but just personal experience it didn’t fit the finer types.

The main drawback is I find it can be very sore when hacking in walk and doing my many miles of fitness work in the summer. I tend to get quite a numb bum and end up standing in the stirrups a bit for relief (and to build some strength!). I don’t really notice it hunting but then I’m preoccupied riding etc.

I also have an Albion kontrol which is very similar and better for finer horses IME. It is also much comfier.
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Same, love my K2 and feel secure in it jumping but by the end of a hack my bum is numb!
 
I rode a friends horse in hers and absolutely loved it. Not the right shape for mine unfortunately (and perhaps a little deep in the seat to jump a lot in - I only tried it on the flat).
 
Mmmm really put off by the end of hack numb bum tbh. I do loads of long hacking!!

I might trial a dual flap ideal impala instead, they seem to be reported as comfy!
 
I bought a new K2 jump last year. Not widely advertised but you can have an extra soft seat "comfort seat" as an option, after needing for a few extras (gussets/ extra girth straps) to get the most amazing fit for my horse I thought I would treat myself too! I do a lot of hacking and I love it.
 
Had a K2 Jump for my old loan mare, but nothing new to add - it was used for hacking, schooling, and small jumps, and was incredibly comfy and always felt like you could sit deep and secure when needed.
 
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