At the risk of being hung, drawn and quartered....!!!!

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EmmaChal

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Couple of recent posts have got me thinking.

This is for those that event really-I am completely ignorant when it comes to BD/BSJA, so can't comment!

We all seem to have an awful lot of kit - all the latest gadgets for our horse, including two-three saddles, bridles for each disipline, change of boots for sj/xc and much, much more. Is this all really necessary?

Is there a need for at intro/PN/novice level to have a top of the range dressage saddle, and then a single flap jumping saddle? Can the same result not be achieved with a general purpose saddle? Back in the 'good old days'-this seemed to be the case-only top riders had all the gear.
Are we not just spending money unnecessarily?

Love to hear your thoughts!
 
Jump saddle - yes! As Lucinda Green said - GP saddles, generally purposeless!

I don't think a dressage saddle is essential, but I do find having one helps my position, so the overall picture is better.

In terms of spending a fortune, no that isn't necessary - I have a dressage saddle (Kieffer) a jump saddle (Albion K2) and two bridles (sue carson and heritage) which cost me less than a grand in total, which although not peanuts, is also not a huge amount when you consider what I could spend. Breastplate cost £15, front tendon boots for SJ a tenner, XC boots £40 from premier equine, my mum made my XC colours, and the only 'extravagance' I have is my gatehouse hat. My gloves were £6 from Decathlon!!
 
I agree in principle however I love my comfy dressage saddle and my jumping saddle and all the sets of boots, oh and my 4 bridles for one horse (don't ask!) and all the lovely fluffy rugs and......................
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Agree with Spotted cat.. Generally Purposeless saddles haha, are almost dangerous to ride XC in, i hate them.. although a good quality jumping saddle would be fine to do dressage at the lower levels in!!

Different boots are needed, for a start SJs nock down and XC jumps don't.. SJing i want my horse to feel when he touches a pole (open fronted boots needed) and XC he'll need more protection...

I'm sure one bridle would do for all 3 phases, but 1 bit usually wont, so to save having to change bits over and over again, what's wrong with another cheaper bridle.. also it's good to have spare tack..

I think what people have trouble with, isn't the amount of tack someone has for one horse.. but the amount of 'bling' they have for it..
I don't have a problem with 'bling' infact i have 2 fluffy saddle pads.. but i'm sure some people don't like it..
 
Saddles is one that makes me wonder to.

Were there really lots of horses going around in the 70's/80's with poorly backs from the badly fitting saddles? I find it hard to believe that especially with how well they went.

Or are saddles being poorly made now a days and not standing up or meeting the fit requirements?

I'm confused I know I was shocked to hear that a lop of the top english brands now just make the tree then ship it out to India to have the leather etc put on.

But then if we can afford to give our horses the best of care then it's only right that we do so?

Kind of thing that gives me a headache so I try not to think about it.
 
haha, back in the early 90s i met the director of Pedens (International Horse Transporters), the moment someone told him that I event, he started on a 5 minute rant about the amount of stuff eventers take everywhere, about 3x as much as the dressage and sj people, he said!
umm, a good jump saddle is essential. if you're riding shortish and especially if you have long thighs, a gp just won't do.. your knees will be over the front.
a dr saddle isn't that essential, and shouldn't be put on an immature back either, i was always told. but it does look nicer, and it might help you to glean that extra mark or two!
my Advanced mare did all 3 phases in the same bridle, same bit and noseband combination. but some horses like a change, and go so much better in something different for xc and sj.
all the boots and rugs are essential though! whatever you don't take, you'll need!
 
Hi Emms!!
your right,we ALL spend endless wonga on stuff we/our horses really dont need. Gone are the days i fed my bSJA mare just pony nuts all yr round,no supps,she had 2 rugs,1 saddle 4 everything plus 1 bit 4 everything,i had no arena 2 school in,she was kept out 24/7 and only came in the eve b4 a comp.Not once did this mare have any slight lameness or probs,we went yrs getting placed in big classes&having lots of fun . I towed my trailer wiv some old banger,it was great! I seem to have gone slightly batty wiv age(im 35) as wiv current horse,i HAVE to have 2 saddles,numerous bits,tack,rugs(lost count),suppliment galore,back checked all the time(horse),teeth checked and then i wonder why im so over-drawn?? D'oh!!! work it out Lou lou!!ah well,keeps me happy!
 
I think if you've got the money, why not? I'd love to have all these expensive saddles etc
I got a second hand bates jump saddle off ebay for £350 and a new wintec synthetic dressage saddle for £300, i feel so much more comfortable and safe with the saddles i have now than i did with one gp which i bought for £800

And if you havent got the money (me) put it on the credit card! lol!!
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Of course!
However, I can guarantee that if having all the kit was not the 'done thing', or if Pippa Funnell went around competing in one saddle-we'd all be there right behind her!
 
I dressage and jump (PN) in my GP... it's never occurred to me that I might need specialist saddles at this level. Why do people not like GPs (just interested
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Being reasonably new to the eventing world having jumped ship from jump racing, I find the amount of stuff one does need is crazy!
- I do have a dressage saddle albeit synthetic, which helps my position, and a new smart albion xc jumping saddle which I like - (not love) as nothing beats my mothers old jumping saddle which must be approaching the best part of 25yrs old!! I have it checked by a prof fitter twice a year(winter/summer)
It is not flashy looking like the new one but I find it puts me in a much better position with out all these blocks etc it is lighter too. a white sheepskin for everything - last forever, and breathes. I have one smart bridle, and an everyday leather one which gets cleaned once a week (as do all our horses) a racing breastplate for xc though if I did have all the money in the world id like a devoucoux one!!
as for boots, woofwear for sj I also use them for everyday use too, and dalmar for xc - I cannot fault these boots, light, breathable and will last for ever.
I think the thing is is that if I was minted then YES I would have everything that opens and shuts and is the latest "bit of kit" which was seen on XYZ the other day therefore has the "gotta have it" fashion factor, but at the end of the day how much of it would you actually use? its more to remember to pack, more to clean, and more can go wrong with.
I can remember my grandfather going out hunting, in just a snaffle bridle - no nose band!! a sheep skin and a plain hunting saddle, with one yorkshire boot on behind as his hunter used to strike with just one leg, that horse never missed a days hunting and hunted with my grandfather from a 5yr old until they both retired - horse aged 21, my grandfather 74!! so I can see both sides of the debate.
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I dressage and jump (PN) in my GP... it's never occurred to me that I might need specialist saddles at this level. Why do people not like GPs (just interested
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I find they are just not secure enough and do not put you in the right position for either jumping or dressage, so my opinion is that if you're going to have anything, get a decent jump saddle and be done with it! You'll be able to ride on the flat as well as you can in your GP, but you'll find the jumping a hell of a lot easier!

TBH though, if it suits you and you are happy with it, then stick with it!
 
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the moment someone told him that I event, he started on a 5 minute rant about the amount of stuff eventers take everywhere, about 3x as much as the dressage and sj people, he said!

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Prob cos there's 3 phases to do instead of the one..
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maybe i do have a lot of stuff.

i have 2 saddles ( but are wows so i change flaps) mainly didnt get on with a GP as im too long in the thigh and cant sit right for jumping or dressage in it at all, and makes me very unstable and uncomfortable.

however i only really use boots for xc, and the only bling i have is a jeffries combination breastplate, no fluffy numnahs etc!
 
When I started out I had a GP and 1 bridle. Now many years on I have 5 saddles ( 3 horses) , 6 bridles, more boots than I care to imagine and 3 devouxcoux breastplates.
I'm careful to buy good quality stuff, and look after my tack and boots well.
None of my stuff is 'essential' I suppose, but instead of other things ( social life for eg!) I chose to put my money back into what I get the most pleasure out of.
 
I have to say that I have ridden in some really good GPs. Mainly an Ideal and an Albion, however the GP I was using on the horse I had over the summer was good for flatwork but I felt so insecure when jumping - it was a Jeffiers Hawk. Unfortuntely our jumping saddle didn't fit her.

I try and keep everything to the minimum. Eventing is so expensive anyway by the time I save up for the entry fee expensive kit can not be bought. Normally I will do a one day in the same bridle. Changing bits/nosebands along the way. As MDM said 2 sets of boots, tendon and fetlock for SJ and bigger boots for xc. I have never ridden in a dressage saddle as I can't afford it so the same saddle is used for all 3 phase, whether it be a GP or Jump.

This all comes down to money. If I could afford it I would be nice stuff, maybe not 3 bridles, I would but at the moment I have to make to with what I have and only replacing it when it breaks.
 
i also have one bridle, but am thinking about getting a stubben for example second hand because the amount of times i swap bits and nosebands over a week is becoming annoying!! even if it will be mroe tack to clean!
 
Another point is that we spend so much on competition fees/transport/training that it would be a shame if you did not do as well as you could because you did not have the right kit.

I have a GP and a dressage saddle - the GP is ok but a good jumping saddle it the next item on my (lonnnnnnnnnnnng) wishlist.
 
I don't event, but do SJ, showing, and will be doing ODE and unaff dressage, and just find that my jumping saddle doesn't do us any favours showing and doesn't put me in the right position for flatwork in general, so I'm looking into getting a WOW so I can just change the flaps. I've got 2 bridles, his everyday/jumping/XC/novice snaffle, and his double. It's not really a case of *need* tho, more *want*
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I have never had a GP saddle think they are useless. I have long thighs and ride short so a GP would look ridiculous and how people can jump in a VSD I will never know.

I used to event in all the same kit but not any more. I have a different bit for each phase so have 2 bridles now. Also my marks went from being crappy in a jumping saddle doing dressage to a lot better. Its the position it puts you in and allows you to ride your horse. In a jump saddle I tend to slouch a bit and my position is not as good. I am an absolute skinflint so none of my kit cost very much both saddles are 2nd hand and still look immaculate.
 
I am guilty of having everything possible for my precious pony!!! I have a dresage saddle that I brought second hand, because my Jump saddle wasnt doing my riding on the flat any favours, but is fab for its purpose! My Jump saddle was a must because I dislike GP saddles, and dont see the point of having a GP and a Dressage saddle if you are going to do something like eventing, when you can have 2 specialist saddles. I also have a combination breastplate beause I like the way they look, they are safer than conventional breastplates and if my saddle is going to slip anyway, it will be backward! I have 2 bridles, a Jump bridle (matches my brown jump tack!) and a Dressge bridle (black to mtch my Dressage saddle!).
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I dont think it will turn me into Pippa Funnell, but do believe almost all of my tack has a purpose and has certainly helped me in some way!!
 
I have everything i can affors within reason, I have a 2nd hand black dressage saddle and black bridle and a pessoa jumping saddle for sj and XC which does the job, a brwon jumping bridle with pelham and martingale, no boots for SJ and Clarendon boots for XC, various rugs and cooler bandages for when ground is hard. Did first half of last season doing dressage in a GP and when i bought my Albion dressage saddle my dressage marks inproved radically so was work every penny IMO.
 
Many of us have far too much equipment but that's an individual thing.....When you have a car you don't actually need a CD player with 8 speakers, alloy wheels, electric windows, air con etc, but we prefer to have that given the choice. I think it's the same with the amount of kit many of us have.

I must confess I have enough equipment to kit out a herd.
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I am guilty of having everything possible for my precious pony!!! I have a dresage saddle that I brought second hand, because my Jump saddle wasnt doing my riding on the flat any favours, but is fab for its purpose! My Jump saddle was a must because I dislike GP saddles, and dont see the point of having a GP and a Dressage saddle if you are going to do something like eventing, when you can have 2 specialist saddles. I also have a combination breastplate beause I like the way they look, they are safer than conventional breastplates and if my saddle is going to slip anyway, it will be backward! I have 2 bridles, a Jump bridle (matches my brown jump tack!) and a Dressge bridle (black to mtch my Dressage saddle!).
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I dont think it will turn me into Pippa Funnell, but do believe almost all of my tack has a purpose and has certainly helped me in some way!!

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Ditto you! Apart from the Devoucoux breastplate. My jumping tack is brown (bridle, breastplate, martingale, saddle, girth e.t.c and my flatwork tack is black!

I HATE GP saddles and would NEVER have one even if I was just a happy hacker.
 
When I did Weston Park CCI* at the end of 2005 I used 1 saddle (a John Whittaker jumping saddle) as my horse had a slightly sore back which the jumping saddle didn't interfere with but my dressage saddle did. Also only 1 bridle as that's all I had but since I used the same bit in all 3 phases this didn't really matter.
I'm not sure all the extra kit makes much difference to the performance but just makes us feel better.
Having watched an unaffiliated hunter trial I was amazed at how many horses had a devacoux breast plate - although a lot of the horses (& riders) didn't look fit enough to get round the course. If you have got the money then why not but don't expect it to make your horse go any better after all I think my horse goes best in the field with no tack on at all lol!
 
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