Black country - Wexford or Ricochet

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Daytona

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I am thinking on buying one of the above saddles for both SJ and XC, but it will also be my main saddle for hacking out in as well, this is the reason i am not going for a close contact or mono flap saddle

Does anyone have them and what do you think???

I am 5ft 10 and ride a 16hh horse, it is going to be made to order and they said they will extend the flaps tosuit my long legs as on normal off the shelf saddle my knees poke over the edge - very uncomfy!

Just wanted to know what they were like to ride in. and is there a difference between the two.

Thanks
 
I'm afraid I can't answer, but I'd also be interested in opinions, as I was looking at BC for a new jump saddle. I was also looking at the Vinici, though, as from what I've heard, close contacts aren't necessarily less comfortable, or any worse for the horse's back when hacked in, just so long as it fits properly?
 
I tried the Wexford for my horse. I was looking for a double flap jumping saddle, suitable for lower level eventing and hacking. Having been a fan of my previous Albion K2 jump on paper the Wexford really looked like it would be suitable.

It turned out to be a very bulky saddle and gave you no real connection with the horse. I would have been happy to buy it for hacking and possibly hunting but as a performance saddle for SJ/XC I wasn't happy.

Now I have heard that recently the have bought out a new jump saddle which is a hybrid of the Wexford and the Quantum - is this what you refer to as Ricochet saddle? If so I think that might be a very good option. Others of that type of ilk would be the K2 jump and the Ideal Impala.
 
yes thats is what the ricochet is a mix between the two saddles.

i also felt the wexford would be too much saddle if that makes sense.

See i heard the total opposite that you cannot use close contact/mono flap style saddles to hack in as there is not good surface area and they are not designed for you to be sat in for long periods of time, they are only for jumping in when the weight is mostly out of the saddle, i dont want to hurt my mares back - she is a right senstive little thing.

I was also told the vinci id extreamly unconfortable to ride in and digs into your leg where the girth strap comes out of the flap.

anyone else have any views?
 
I have Wexford on both my horses. One is a 5 year old TB that can jump about a bit and do silly things and the other is an eventer that's idxtb.

I've used them both for hacking , xc and Sj, one up to CCI* level and I would not hesitate to recomend them.

The position it puts me in is so secure I have never fallen off either horse when I've been using the wexford (prob will now i've said that!). No matter what they do I don't move in the saddle.

I love them!

Don't find them bulky/lacking connection with the horse at all.
 
I have the quantum jump saddle on my horse. It is one of the close contact jumping black country saddles. I haven't ridden in the 2 that you have mentioned. However I use mine everyday for everything!! I hack for miles in it and also compete BD in it!!

Despite the fact mine is close contact the panels are wool and they are beautifully wide and so so soft. I'm always squidging the bottom of my saddle as it feels so luxurious! It's 10x softer underneath than my mums thorowgood. My senstitve tb horses go really well in it and I've never had it rub any hair or cause them any discomfort. I don't use a pad under it either as it doesn't need 1. I just a thin cotton square.

I wasn't aware the BC make any saddles with latex panels? I would choose what saddle u are most comfortable in as in my experience they are all very comfortable 4 the horse. I choose mine as it was the style that suited my old tricky to fit mare best and I like no fuss, flat saddles the best. The lack of blocks means I can do dressage well in mine although obviously it's not ideal. Mine does have quite a hard seat though for me! I have to use a seat saver 4 uber long hacks :)
 
Just re-read your message. The close contact jump saddles filled with latex and foam are the ones you shouldn't ride in 4 hours. Wool flocked panels like the BC saddles have are fine :)
 
ahh thanks firewall - that would explain where i get that idea from!

Cool well lady coming with BC saddles for me to try in two weeks - cant wait to get my nice new saddle made ;-)
 
I have the venici jump monoflap. I really like it. I have hunted all day in it and both my mare and myself are comfortable. The girth straps have never dug in to my leg, but make sure your stirrup leathers don't have large buckles! I would much rather ride in my Venici over my Albion K2 any day!!!!!!!!!
 
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