Black Tack!?

ExpressPrincess

ExpressPrincess

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Ok so I have always had havana / brown tack however i have just brought a new horse and need to have a saddle fitted I’m looking for a 16-16.5" Dressage saddle second hand which i will also do the odd showing class in next year these saddles are like hens teeth! Sooooo how bad do you think the penalty’s for all black tack on an all-black horse (no white anywhere!) would be in the show ring am i likely to loose placing just because of this? We are only going to be showing at riding club level but as an ex-racer we might get a qualification for the next step up if we are lucky. Should i consider black or just hold out for brown. Any ideas?
 
HingeFarm said:
Ok so I have always had havana / brown tack however i have just brought a new horse and need to have a saddle fitted I’m looking for a 16-16.5" Dressage saddle second hand which i will also do the odd showing class in next year these saddles are like hens teeth! Sooooo how bad do you think the penalty’s for all black tack on an all-black horse (no white anywhere!) would be in the show ring am i likely to loose placing just because of this? We are only going to be showing at riding club level but as an ex-racer we might get a qualification for the next step up if we are lucky. Should i consider black or just hold out for brown. Any ideas?
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Why do you need such a small saddle? A 17 inch or 17.5 will usually suit most thoroughbreds unless yours is under 15 hh. A shorter saddle will mean a smaller weight bearing area. Unless you are very small yourself, then this may cause problems. You should be able to find plenty of saddles that fit your requirements in a 17 or 17.5.
 
I was told on a specialist showing forum that Havanna is correct. Also not to use a dressage saddle, a straight cut showing was needed. Having watched a lot of showing I dont think they were wrong.

We already had a black dressage that fit the pony and so I chose to ignore it. I did have the straps altered as short dressage girths look untidy.

We were never pulled about our tack at any level, the pony did very well for us, so I suppose it didn't make a big difference.

That said showing is all about the overal picture and catching the judges eye. Our pony looked good in her black tack. If you have the best horse and it goes the best it should win anyway. If its close between you and someone else it could go to whoever the judge thinks looks best.
 
At local level ok but at County level - big no no as I took my pink papered wb to County in a black double & dressage saddle (the brown WH saddle I ordered had a broken tree when arrived) so I knew we wouldn't be placed. Also, dressage saddles are very chunky and don't really show your horses shoulder off so I would probably buy a black dressage saddle (Wintec Isabell Werth are reasonable and start from 16") and save for a smart brown saddle ready for next year. Also, you would have to take your dressage saddle to have the girth straps shortened as that is not what the judge wants to see. Good luck :-) xx
 
Personally I wouldnt show in a dressage saddle as that will get you marked down - I prefer the straight cut working hunter saddles as I can do dressage in them, show in them and jump in them (if any one wants to buy me one... :p ) I've never been marked down for black tack tho - I don't like brown tack :o and my horse looks better in black so I've always used it :)
 
A horse at our yard has recently been place first and reserve champion l/w hunter at a fairly high standard (not quite county level, but a qualifier for something bigger) show in a black dressage saddle c/w black dressage girth. Nobody commented on it.
 
There are showing saddles that are entirely suitable to do dressage in - I have a client who owns a coloured traditional that is occasionally shown, currently competing at medium dressage and is ridden in the NP Traditional Working Hunter - it has a GP style seat, not as shallow as most showing saddles, a decent front knee block, long flap, and rear block. The rider is a pro running her own dressage yard and she really likes it. I'm sure other companies must make similar saddles, and as showing saddles they should all be available in brown.
 
In addition I would say that if a judge is going to ride, then both a dressage saddle and a 16-16.5" seat would go against you as most show judges will find either uncomfortable.
 
I've always been told brown is proper for showing, and ideally one of those showing saddles.

My daughter took her boy into a Racehorse to Showing Horse class recently,at one of the larger local shows. His tack is black, and he has a GP saddle, she knew it wasn't strictly proper but we couldn't afford to buy him a whole new ensemble for what was their first foray into this kind of thing.

He did ok (5th of 8 I believe) the judge was kind and never mentioned the incorrect attire but I guess if she was going to do it regularly she would have to invest in the right tack.
 
sbloom said:
In addition I would say that if a judge is going to ride, then both a dressage saddle and a 16-16.5" seat would go against you as most show judges will find either uncomfortable.
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Hadn't thought of the ride judge, ours was in under 14.2 coloured classes so didn't get one. Our bigger one has a 17" Working Hunter saddle (Havanna), unless you are competing seriously in dressage I think something similar would be a good compromise. It still has shape to keep your position.

Sorry but I am now imagining trawling the schedules not only for judges that like a horse but that have small enough bums for a 16" dressage.
 
i show in a black dressage saddle. Makes no odds, if the horse goes well, catches the judges eye and the turnout is smart and doesnt distract then its fine.

Better than some of the god awful brown show saddles i've seen on the circuit!
 
to Justify I have a small show hack type TB 14.3hh and take a 5'9" rug, i am 5' 5" and dress size 8/10 and weight about 9.5 stone so a 16-16.5" is a nice secure saddle for me i have ridden in my friends 17.5" and dont feel "secure" like i do in a smaller seat. Will keep an eye out for a havana duel purpose model.
 
Can some one tell me why the colour is so important? I can understand the saddle should show the horse off but why is it so important the tack be brown instead of black?
 
Brown has always been the traditional colour of British tack, and showing classes definitely fit into that "british" thing. I think we're being harsh on judges saying that tack colour will influence results, but equally, as in dressage, presenting a pleasing aesthetic picture is important, and judges are used to seeing brown tack.

Brown leather tends to wear much better than black because of the dying techniques but black tack became popular as we started to ape the Europeans in dressage showjumping, and black tack is now part of THAT image, rather than showing.
 
Colour is simply tradition the best show leathers are only dyed on one side so you can see the quality of the undyed leather... Thanks for everyones opinions will stick with brown if possible cant afford a whole selection of saddle so im looking for a "best" saddle that can do a bit of everything (I have a little thorowgood for hacking). Will just have a saddle fitter out and see what they have that will suit. :rolleyes:
 
Someone more experienced in showing might be able to chip in but I'd say that fitting at most a 16.5 saddle will cause many judges an issue - I would only fit that size, usually, for a rider up to about 5'3 or so, a 17" of the right style and with the right support might be a good compromise.
 
i have a brown ideal ramsey showing saddle for competing. It looks good, is super comfey and would happily do a dressage test in it (i'm lucky and have a dressage saddle too though). I think that you can pick up a nice one second hand without breaking the bank.
 
sorry, should add that it is a 17 inch on my 15.2 WB. It doesn't feel too roomy at all (if anything, i would say that it is quite small for a 17 inch), and no complaints from judges so far.
 
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