Best saddle for showing and hacking traditional coloured, HELP!

[Emeraldmeadow]

Hi,

I was hoping I could get some recommendations for a comfy saddle for showing but also hacking and every day schooling, small jumps for a 14hh coloured traditional cob. I've been out of the saddle for 10 years and just don't where to begin. I have been thinking Ideal Ramsey? Any ideas? I would like something comfy but will be doing hoys qualifiers etc. Thanks in advance.

 

[Pinkvboots]

The ideal ramsay is what's a lot of showing people use I had one I found it comfortable to ride in but it didn't suit my horse for everyday wear, the issue is they are much slimmer in the panels than a normal everyday saddle so the weight is not distributed as evenly, most people I know only use them for showing and have another saddle for everyday use for this reason, I have recently been using a black country working hunter saddle which is lovely it's straighter cut than a gp and would fine in the ring, so I think if I were you I would buy a working hunter cut saddle as it will be more versatile for what you want, I actually show one of mine in a dressage saddle I just had the girth straps changed and it looks fine and I actually prefer it to any show saddle I have used, I have never had a judge comment on it but then I don't do hoys classes.

 

[Emeraldmeadow]

Thank you so much, that is very very helpful. This was a concern for me as well. I guess I need to try to find a showing saddle for everyday use as I can't afford two really. Any suggestions anyone?! Or is this not possible?! Thanks again

 

[be positive]

One of my liveries recently bought a second hand Fylde Samantha for her native ponies, both are chunky types, it has been flocked as the foam was not in great condition and our saddler changed it which means it is now better for hacking, not keen on the very thin pads some are made with, I have ridden in it a few times and found it extremely comfortable, the pony moves well in it and I think it would be fine for some basic jumping as the suede will give a bit of grip, she has only popped a xc pole in it as has a gp to use for jumping.

I think it is difficult to find a really general purpose saddle that is straight enough to show in and also jump, the WH saddles and VSD can do the job but there will still be a compromise, I would look for one that suits the main job, hacking and showing, then save to get something to jump in if you find you cannot in the show saddle, a synthetic could do that job as it going to be used less frequently so the compromise will not really matter unless you want to do workers.

 

[ester]

I don't really like show saddles, and given that you have been out of the saddle a few years I find they aren;t very comfy and don't offer much in the way of help (and I don't seem to be the only person that thinks that)

I have an ideal VSD which I love, have spend days in hunting, and will happily jump 3ftish in (though its not amazing for that) BUT I don't think it would be up to the job of hoys qualifiers.
Second hand show saddles seems to float around fairly cheaply (having helped a friend find a couple) and I really think I would try and get something that was ok to show in but something else to do everything else in if you can. It wouldn't add up to many hoys class entries to do so.

 

[HazellB]

Might be a bit controversial, but my lad's in a Wintec Close contact jumping saddle for everyday work. Being narrow in the twist, it's sooooo comfortable for me (I'm pretty small) yet I shoved a XXXW lilac gullet in it (voiding the warranty, but what the hell!) easily and it fits the horse perfectly. Frankly I can't fault it for daily hacking, Bloodhounding, etc.
Showing saddles, sorry I can't help.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I think AH (Andrea Hicks) saddles do a show saddle? They're specially designed for wide cobs and natives. Might be worth a look and/or getting their fitter out?

 

[rara007]

Most show saddles will come in a size to suit a traditional, we have our trad in a 'pure' show saddle. Our XXXXW hogged cob has a bespoke VSD, he has enough shoulder he can still show at top level in it but a more conventional cob the pure show or WH saddles are the thing to have. They offer no support for either jumping or dressage, but you have full freedom to be in the right place. Don't suit some people but I don't mind mine. My old boy jumped up to 1.05 style classes in his pure show saddle. If you want comfy and to show at top level spend the money on a VSD or GP and get a cheap 2nd hand flyde or similar.

 

[sbloom]

I would not recommend anything with thin ultra close contact panels for everyday riding, most of these showing saddles are for the show ring only and should not be used everyday. I would find a good fitter who really understands fitting wide shapes and has brands that will really suit, too many just have one brand with one cob or wide tree, rather than a true selection for wide shapes.

Thanks MJR2BT!