Dressage saddle for showing

Not really!
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Always amazes me why it matters but it does
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It depends. Some dressage saddles are very deep seated and are bulky and blocky. A show saddle is quite different. Some dressage saddles are flatter seated and you would be more likely to get away with one of those.
 
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It depends. Some dressage saddles are very deep seated and are bulky and blocky. A show saddle is quite different. Some dressage saddles are flatter seated and you would be more likely to get away with one of those.

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Really? I thought the cut would be too straight and knee rolls a problem. Good to know though.
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Personally I feel a dressage saddle is better than a GP as it allows the shoulder to be seen, but some of them arn't so suitable, particularly with the current fashion for huge knee rolls.

I have heard of a couple of people deliberatly showing in a type of dressage saddle (for the life of me can't remember the make) because it is remarkably comfortable so helps give the impression of a very smooth ride. I tried it on my friends and yes it was very nice to ride in - how much the theory actually works I dont know but thats their logic.
 
I bought a WH hunter saddle but it is very straight cut so I can use it for county showing and low level dressage and small jumps.

I know quite a few people with the difficult to fit natives use the Fhoenix.

As you said, WH may well be the solution for you.
 
The county level showing circuit is all about the overall picture - i certainly wouldnt show in a dressage saddle. My horse has just gone on production and my £1200 vsd saddle is sat there doing nothing the producer will not show in it! I have 2 saddles that i have just put on ebay both wh/show saddles both like new and neither fit! Hence they are for sale so i can buy another proper showing saddle and use the albion for everyday. I firmly believe saddles are the most awkward necessity to do with horses and the most expensive
 
I will be showing in a dressage saddle, but its a wow with quite a flat seat. I figure its better to show in my dressage saddle than my jumping saddle, and 3 saddles for one pony that doesn't do much showing seemed a little silly, even if we could find something that fitted him!
 
I think that the difference with you (H_F) is that you are not doing a class where the judge has to ride, so it is slightly less important about the saddle. I showed at RIHS level in a dressage saddle for a year before we swapped over to a proper show saddle (this was about 15 years ago) however, it was not a saddle with enormous knee and thigh rolls and a high pommel, so did not look too out of place.
 
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