Albion Selecta Saddle any experience?

alex_mac30

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Hi
I am trying to buy 2 new saddles one for jumping and one for dressage. I currently only have a working hunter saddle that I do everything in. My instructor suggested that I look at the albion selecta, as I could get a new one for about the same cost as two second hand saddles. I was just wondering if anyone has one or have tried one, your thoughts would be appreciated. I have only tried a synthetic saddle with changeable knee pads and wasnt impressed.
Thanks
M xx
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I used to have one - It is trying to be too many things (jumping, dressage etc)... We sold ours (partly because it no longer fitted), but wouldnt buy again anyway - we went for an Albion K2 and just do dressage in that
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I had one which I loved, would definitely invest in another if I had an eventer. I used the dressage flaps and xc flaps (never bothered investing in sj ones
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To piggyback on this post where is a good place to pick up a second hand one? I've been spying on ebay for a while but it seems to be slim pickings, for m/wides anyway. The odd search elsewhere hasn't brought up much.
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I may be a bit internet useless though...
 
Try Albion agents for 2nd hand one (lots of phoning). You may be able to get a list of agents from Albion's own website - or ring them. Colne Saddlery is one - I bought a new pony size selecta through them a few years ago, and then traded it back when we sold the pony. Daughter always claimed it was uncomfortable but no way was I going to buy a dressage saddle for a 13hh eventing pony however special he was!
 
We've got one for a 14.2 event/pc pony. It came with him otherwise don't think I'd have thought of it. I have the gp and jumping flaps and the gp are pretty straight cut so do dressage in them. The jumping are forward cut and well blocked. The system works well, the saddle does look 100% when each flap is attatched.
For a pony and 12 year old rider jumping 90-100cm and lowish level dressage I like it.
 
Have one with XC flaps but they are sewn in place. Could not personally ride in it for dressage as the stirrup bar is too far forward. I have to work without stirrups if 'schooling' in it!

Do think it is fab as a SJ/XC saddle though and a quick change of flaps for the two disciplines can be very beneficial.

I was lucky got mine 2nd hand for £200 but as said flaps sewn in but personally worth every penny as a jumping saddle!
 
I bought one for a new horse couple of years ago - very comfy saddle but beware seat is too deep I felt when he got to affil eventing - was hitting me in back at drops etc.
Felt it was trying to be too many things - OK for DR and OK to jump but great for neither.
Just my opinion!
 
We have one we use sometimes but rarely change the flaps. The dressage flaps were bought afterwards (£140 from memory) and they really aren't as straight cut as a normal dressage saddle. It is a comfortable saddle though but a bit old fashioned compared with the modern saddles now.
 
My sister has one. One thing to be careful of though is that she bought some dressage flaps for it and they had changed the style of the poppers on it, so it didn't fit on her saddle..
 
Thanks, I have tried some dressage and jumping saddles at the weekend. I couldnt believe the difference the jumping saddle made. I had thought that the working hunter saddle was really good as I could everything in it, but I cant do anything really well!! I think that I will go for 2 saddles, I tried the GFS VSJ saddle and loved it but its new and over £800. Its a lot of money for a saddle I will only use to jump in, so I am having a think about it.
M xx
 
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