Albion SLK dressage saddle...typical!!!!

[sidesaddlegirl]

After ranting about saddle fit to my friend, she let me try her and her husband's Albion dressage saddles (she has the Ultima Platinum one in medium and he has the SLK one in medium/wide).

Well...BOTH fit and DIDN'T move forward even WITH a short 20" dressage girth!

I rode in both but it was her husband's SLK one with the 18" seat and the M/W fit that fit me and Hattie the best. We schooled for an hour in it and when I took it off there was even contact and no rub marks. Hattie was much more forward going and for the first time since I got her, we went from a walk to a canter transistion!!! She seemed alot happier in it and didn't try to attack me when I was girthing up either.

I get home just now, look at Saddles Direct and on Ebay ready to plonk down some money and it's FLIPPIN TYPICAL that the one saddle that fits us both perfectly is beyond my price range by alot!!!

Back to the drawing board.

Grrrr........

 

[lexiedhb]

Keep saving--- once you have found "the" saddle nowt else will match up!!

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

I know, that saddle fit my legs good too (my friend's hubby is 6'2" so he has long legs as well) so at least now and I KNOW what fits her.

LOL, looks like i'm going to have to dig round the house and find some more stuff to flog on Ebay to raise some cash! At keast my side saddle is coming back next weekend so I will be able to at least ride in that until I can afford the Albion.

 

[Chumsmum]

I think you have won half of the battle - finding a saddle that suits you both - so I would keep saving for the one you want.

How much do you want to pay - maybe someone on here might be thinking of selling?

I found this one the the BD site - not sure if still out of your price range?
BD website

Good luck

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

I did see that one on the BD website but I think just the normal SLK fits me better than the Ultima. My friend's Ultima had the mega blocks and I found they got in the way of my leg.

I'm short £350 of the BD one and they all seemt o be about the same price so I think I'm going to have to save up a bit more (or win the lotto!)

 

[Scribbles]

Ring around your local saddlers who might have one in second hand

xx

 

[ColouredFan]

Why not try for a older model Albion, I use the Albion SL, youcan get one 2nd hand now from about £500. I love mine

 

[lochpearl]

I bought my first one a couple of years ago mint condition and delivered to my door for £630 on ebay - just keep a look out as sometimes you get bargains. Gutting thing was my saddle fitter told me that Albion did not alter trees so when my boy went to a wider fitting he got £1850 out of me for the saddle and only gave me £400 for mine part ex. Stupid, stupid me!!

I must say though I have exactly the saddle that you want and I love it and I wouldn't part with it even for the amount the one on the BD website is up for.

Try calling some Albion stockists to see if they have had any in part exch.

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

QR:

Do the SL's have the same trees as the SLK's? I don't mind a SL if it's going to be the same fitting and shape as the SLK.

I don't know what the difference is between the two.

 

[P4NN]

Hi I have an Ideal Suzannah which is an exact copy of the SLK ! I got this one because I too couldnt afford an Albion. The tree is identical to the Albion and it even feels the same to sit on. My saddler bought both for me to compare but my savings only stretched to the Ideal. Perhaps its worth looking at them too?

 

[china]

i picked up an albion dressage saddle for £150 in very good condition. i have no idea what make it is tho. legend rings a bell?? i think i was lucky as its hard to find a cheap saddle in this particular tack shop.