Calling dressage riders

[Wizpop]

For those of you who consider dressage as your main discipline, just wondering if any of you prefer to ride in a GP rather than a Dressage saddle? And if so, why?

 

[kathantoinette]

When I first started on my dressage journey I rode in a gp, basically because I it was the only saddle I had. A while later I then bought a second hand Fairfax dressage saddle from a good friend for £500. It changed the way I sat and made a massive difference to my riding and the horses way of going. I bought this saddle about 10 years ago. It’s been on 3 different horses and I still have it and use it today.
If you’re worried about what people think at competitions about the tack you’re using…take my work for it, no one gives a hoot ?

 

[Cortez]

Nope. GP saddles are definitely not going to give you any help for dressage. I used one for hacking, when I did such things.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

For those of you who consider dressage as your main discipline, just wondering if any of you prefer to ride in a GP rather than a Dressage saddle? And if so, why?

My lad could have quite explosive canter transitions at one point so I felt safer in my event saddle. He is going really well now so I ride in my dressage saddle. I also suffer with a bad back and my position is better and more comfortable in my dressage saddle.

 

[oldie48]

no, a dressage saddle is called a dressage saddle for a reason but you do need to find one that suits your body type, they are not all the same. However, at the lower levels if what you have is a GP then that's fine, no reason why you can't get a horse going nicely in a GP.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Always in a dressage saddle unless I’m hacking, then I’m in a GP or a western saddle ?

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I do everything in my dressage saddle, so comfy!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I use a GP for hacking and low level jumping (to about 80/85) but if I was more serious about stressage than a couple of times a year, then I'd definitely have a dressage saddle, as it is my show whp stands in, instead.......

 

[ycbm]

I have two saddles for any horse and have done for the last 35 years. Dressage saddles make a huge difference to schooling, ime.
.

 

[doodle]

I have a dressage and a jump saddle. Always school and compete in dressage saddle. Always hack in jump saddle. In the jump I feel just as secure but I naturally lean forward slightly in it. That is fine when hacking and I feel more confident in it as light seat is easier. I sit up straight in the dressage which allows me to ride better with hand better and everything. I very rarely school tho. I don’t think I have ever looked that closely at other peoples saddles so if you want to ride in a gp then do, no one will even notice.

 

[sbloom]

Fitting the rider well, for the discipline, is so complex that yes, for some a particular GP may be better than a particular dressage saddle, or even dressage saddles on general. So often they are deep seated with large blocks which is already starting to show in research that it's not good for rider or horse

 

[Bernster]

I prefer to have a dressage and a jump. I hack in the jump saddle. I’m short and wide so the big dressage knee blocks are a bit annoying but I still find it more comfortable. I go for saddles with a smaller knee block,obv.