Dressage in event saddle?

[eventingcrystal]

So I have just bought an event saddle, I can’t afford a dressage saddle at the moment ( at least not the ones that have small enough flaps to fit me and my pony ), would it be okay for everyday riding - flat work, poles, hacking etc? I’ll be eventing her next year hopefully so I should have a dressage saddle by then

 

[Littlebear]

Cant see why not, i think unless you are riding at a higher level dressage you can do perfectly fine in an event/jump/gp whatever, doesn't really matter that much as long as you are both comfortable.

 

[doodle]

Robin had a dressage saddle. After 2 years not being used I sold it! He does everything in a jump saddle including the very odd dressage test.

 

[Sail_away]

Yes definitely, and much easier than trying to jump in a dressage. I do find my horse gets a little confused if I try and school in his jump saddle but then he is used to me riding far longer in my dressage so I think the position change of the leg aids confuses him. He is quite particular though and used to his dressage - I don’t think it would be a problem if I just never had a dressage saddle.

 

[sbloom]

Event saddles can be one of two types, they can be a type of GP (Ideal make the International Event, it's a GP) or a XC saddle, you can do dressage in either, absolutely, though for most of us mere mortals the GP type would be easier than a XC saddle.

 

[paddi22]

yeah I event some in my close contact jumping saddle. for higher level dressage I find the blocks can restrict my movement, but anything up to one star I don't really notice, horse goes well in it.

 

[Irishcob6]

I event in my jump saddle - splashed the cash on a fancy jump saddle so didn't have any money left over for a dressage saddle. At times i think a dressage saddle would help me with my position but i receive flat work lessons from someone who regularly places at the BD Nationals and she said its no excuse to hold me back !!

At the end of the day its about finding a saddle that is comfy for both you and the horse and also means one less thing to remember to take to an event!

 

[ihatework]

Of course you can.
Plenty of people event with just one saddle

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Yes Amber and Dolly only ever had one saddle. Both had a jump saddle not a GP.

Having said that, I have recently bought a dressage saddle and do love it and feel I sit better in it. But it's a luxury not a necessity.

 

[Polos Mum]

I do dressage in my really forward cut jump saddle (blocks make my leg nice and still) up to Novice absolutely no issue at all. Elementary / with sitting trot might get a bit harder to have long enough stirrups.