Dressage saddles - alternatives to Equipe Emporio Close Contact?

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HammieHamlet

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Hi, wonder if any of you can help....

I currently ride in a Equipe Expression jumping saddle which I love but feel like I need to start riding again in a dressage saddle.

Ideally I'd love the dressage version of what I currently have but can't afford it (ie the Emporio) so wondered what other cheaper alternatives you all like? It has to be close contact and ideally keep me in place / help with my position. I want to feel as close to horse as possible, like I do with the expression, so nothing too bulky.

Any suggestions? Have had the Devocoux Malika suggested but they seem to be quite pricey? Horse is ISH and would need MW in the Emporio.

The cheaper the better, thanks :)
 
I dont have an alternative, but have you tried European Saddles? They specalise in Equipe and Amerigo saddles, but they also have a good selection of second hand saddles, i dont know your budget, but maybe they would be a way to get the saddle they want?
 
Would agree with Daffy - plus MW is a common size so you may be lucky with a second hand one (I wasn't so lucky so had to have a new one as I need a W). I tried the Malika when I was looking and it felt nice but not as nice as the Emporio. Sorry, probably not what you want to hear but I would hold out for a second hand emporio - I absolutely love mine :)
 
The fairfax is the nearest to the emporio in terms of block etc but it didnt support my achey arthritic old back as well :(

kieffer piet are also quite similar but the block is a touch lower.
 
Prince33Sp4rkle said:
The fairfax is the nearest to the emporio in terms of block etc but it didnt support my achey arthritic old back as well :(

kieffer piet are also quite similar but the block is a touch lower.
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Does the emporio give you a really good close contact feel? For me that's what's most important - I'm never going to be doing high level dressage (at most it'll be a novice eventing test! but absolutely adore my equipe jumping saddle as it feels so close to the horse.

im only 5ft4 so not sure how would work best with the blocks? But will check out the fairfax and kieffer. Guess the other thing that appeals about emporio is the fact its so flexible and light on the horse - not sure the others will be but can investigate :)
 
cobden said:
Would agree with Daffy - plus MW is a common size so you may be lucky with a second hand one (I wasn't so lucky so had to have a new one as I need a W). I tried the Malika when I was looking and it felt nice but not as nice as the Emporio. Sorry, probably not what you want to hear but I would hold out for a second hand emporio - I absolutely love mine :)
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wish I had £2k to spare :( think they rarely come on the 2nd hand market as guess people love them ;)
 
daffy44 said:
I dont have an alternative, but have you tried European Saddles? They specalise in Equipe and Amerigo saddles, but they also have a good selection of second hand saddles, i dont know your budget, but maybe they would be a way to get the saddle they want?
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Thanks - will keep checking their website :)
 
HammieHamlet said:
Does the emporio give you a really good close contact feel? For me that's what's most important - I'm never going to be doing high level dressage (at most it'll be a novice eventing test! but absolutely adore my equipe jumping saddle as it feels so close to the horse.

im only 5ft4 so not sure how would work best with the blocks? But will check out the fairfax and kieffer. Guess the other thing that appeals about emporio is the fact its so flexible and light on the horse - not sure the others will be but can investigate :)
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the fairfax is quite light but the piet is very heavy!

i do feel very close to the horse in the emporio :)
 
The problem is the Equipe IS the cheap option;). They are very popular though so hopefully you'll find a second hand one. What else have you tried? You might find something you like as much but in a different way. For example, I love Equipes but also love Passiers although they aren't similar in design or feel. If you can find something you like that's not as fashionable you might be able to source a bargain more easily
 
I have a Passier Corona dressage saddle (which I love) and an Equipe Expression jump saddle (which I love even more, possibly only because it's a more recent purchase though!) and sat in the Equipe dressage equivalent to my jump saddle a few weeks ago, and it didn't feel much different to my Passier. The Passier isn't close contact but it's quite low profile compared to some so feels like you're part of the horse rather than perched on top.

Not sure a Passier would help much though as mine was about £1,700 new I think. Worth every penny though! And sometimes they come up second hand.

ETS (having read TS post after posting mine and agreeing with it) in terms of the Equipe feeling like the Passier, I mean in a "I liked it" way! Despite their differences.
 
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TarrSteps said:
The problem is the Equipe IS the cheap option;). They are very popular though so hopefully you'll find a second hand one. What else have you tried? You might find something you like as much but in a different way. For example, I love Equipes but also love Passiers although they aren't similar in design or feel. If you can find something you like that's not as fashionable you might be able to source a bargain more easily
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I know the Equipe is cheap for the type of saddle it is, but the trouble is, I don't feel like I am worthy of a saddle of £2k.... I'm a grassroots eventer :) I was soooo lucky with my Equipe jumping saddle as I paid less than £800 for it brand new back in 2007 - they started rocketing in price after that.

My other horse has an Isabella Werth Wintec dressage saddle and I struggle with how 'far away' I feel from the side of the horse.... I used to have an Albion on another horse and struggled to get on with that as well. Until recently I was using a cheap and cheerful Teckna dressage saddle but it doesn't really fit my horse, plus I much preferred riding in my jumping saddle.

I guess I probably need to get a saddler out so I can try some of these different types... just want to know what I'm looking for so I can check that they'll have something suitable :)
 
BeckyD said:
I have a Passier Corona dressage saddle (which I love) and an Equipe Expression jump saddle (which I love even more, possibly only because it's a more recent purchase though!) and sat in the Equipe dressage equivalent to my jump saddle a few weeks ago, and it didn't feel much different to my Passier. The Passier isn't close contact but it's quite low profile compared to some so feels like you're part of the horse rather than perched on top.

Not sure a Passier would help much though as mine was about £1,700 new I think. Worth every penny though! And sometimes they come up second hand.

ETS (having read TS post after posting mine and agreeing with it) in terms of the Equipe feeling like the Passier, I mean in a "I liked it" way! Despite their differences.
Click to expand...

thanks - that's really interesting especially as you know how lovely the equipe expression is! I'll have a look at the Passier :)
 
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