Dressage saddles - amerigo, albion and jaguars?

doctordoolittle

doctordoolittle

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The saddle saga continues....

I am currently trying as many saddles as I can to find out what suits him and me. I anticipate him changing shape/weight slightly over next few weeks so not rushing in to buy anything just yet. Have changed gullet on my isabell and this has stopped the slipping and looks to be a good fit so happy to use it until i've found something perfect.

Have tried the amerigo close contact and the deep seat version - He seems to be very amerigo shaped - almost as if they were made for his shape - they have wide trees so the gullet along his spine is wide enough and the medium generous fit him better than the medium. Unfortuntely I just don't seem to be amerigo shaped as much as I wanted to love them! In the CC saddle I actually liked the open seat and felt secure and sat well in the sitting trot and the canter (have videos) but my lower leg just didn't feel right - in the rising trot knee was wanting to come over the front of the knee roll - looked at video and it put me in chair position and I think it was partly because the stirrup bars are quite short and the knee/thigh roll just didnt suit. The deep seat didn't fit him as well as was a bit tight but generally felt I sat better in this but no videos - sadly still wasn't an 'i love this saddle' feeling though!

Anky saddle - far too squishy and too comfortable in a way- was too big and couldn't really move in it, thigh roll didnt really offer support in right place and didnt fit him at all. felt like a plate of jelly in sitting trot!

So for me I think I like stirrup bars further back, dont mind a more open seat and thigh roll needs to offer support higher up.

So....going to saddlers to try some other makes this weekend. Going to try some used albions, jags and a barnsby. All of which were ones I've sat on in the shop and liked the feel of.

In the end I might just have to bite the bullet and get something fitted new unless find dream used saddle (cant afford new amerigo but could prob stretch to an albion and you can change the headplates as I understand it so probably more room for him to change shape a little).

So...questions I have are:
What models of albion do you recommend and why?
what type of shape do albions fit?
what type of horse do jags fit?
how do jags ride?
has anyone tried the other models of amerigo eg cervia and how do they differ from the ones ive tried?

Also anyone any experience of prestige? seem to be loads on internet barely used but nowhere seems to stock them one saddler said they hardly fit anything and are hard to sell. any experiences?
 
From what you have said, try a Barnsby Luxus. They can be M2M for pretty much their retail price, have big thigh blocks on a relative close contact tree, and the stirrup bars are set back :) Lovely lovely saddle and nice for the horses too.

The Jags are nice to ride in if you fit them, but haven't come across many non TB horses that go well in them tbh... nice saddles though :)

If you like the albion, I'd look at the Ideals too....
 
I have just bought a second hand Jaguar XKC (close contact but double flap) which I am thrilled with. It wasn't stupidly expensive and has improved my position no end. I have heard from several people that they aren't good for horses' backs but also have heard that about several other makes and know several horses who are quite happy in a Jaguar so I think it's a case of courses for horses really.

Try them all and see what you like.
 
Yes I quite liked the feel of the barnsby that she had in as it was fairly simply and just let me sit if you know what i mean? so was going to see whether that suits him as a make.

Have heard about equipes but not actually seen any in shops?

I quite liked the jaguars as i didnt think I would but obv its always slightly different when you're actually on the horse so we will see!

I'm not sure i'm going to like the albions as they are quite a lot of saddle and he already has a big barrell, but liked them a lot in the shop so we will see!

I had an ideal roella and didnt do me any favours, tipped me forwards and made me a bit chair like. tree seemed too narrow for him as think it was pinching along his spine a bit.

thanks everyone! :)
 
I really like my Ideal Suzannah - I had mine M2M for him and me (I had to have the front blocks shortened for my long legs to fit in) and I find it really really comfy.
 
I have a prestige....... Infact I have 2 ... jump and dressage.

I don't know why it was said they hardly fit anything as the trees are completly remodable, and there are many many different styles.

Have you been on the site and looked for a fitter (I've had 2 when being in different areas of the country).

I adore mine.... trainer says could have got a better dressage saddle for me even if made to measure for myself (it's the Optimax.... and a friend has the leonardo).

If you wish to PM me your area I can possibly recommend a fitter.... if not he should definatley be able to help you re finding a fitter for them in your area (he's really helpful and sells a lot of the stirrup leathers etc on ebay as they don't sell well from him once the 'date' is a little old lol!!!)

Sat in a Ideal old style jessica and was very impressed!! Not sure what type they suit but a very nice saddle for a very reasonable price :)!

(I'm 5'5 shortish calf :) )
 
Don't write the amerigo off too quickly when I first got mine I could not ride in it, it took me a few days to realign my balance now it is the comfiest saddle I have sat in!

good luck in your quest
 
I have an Albion SLK for Rauti and a Jaguar (bought second-hand, very cheaply) for Frodo, the Albion had always been my dream saddle but I have to say that the Jaguar is much more comfortable! It fits Frodo well and he is a fat 16hh warmblood....

Why do you say Prestiges are harder to sell? I adore them, sadly not too easy to find in Germany so they were never an option (we tried a couple but they didn't fit Rauti so I went for the Albion instead) but did have one in the past (a dozen years ago!) and it was fantastic and more recently I've sat on friends' Prestiges and they are fantastic saddles :)
 
I wanted an Ideal and was impressed with the fit for my girl and the fact I felt secure in it. However, I then tried the Albion SLK and just thought this is the one for me. Fits my girl perfectly, very comfy for me and I feel so secure. My friend also bought an Albion for her younger mare so she got the adjustable model. Sorry can't remember name.

Think all the saddles you have mentioned are good but at the end of the day it's what fits and suits you and your horse. Let us know what you decide.
 
i had a Jaguar saddle for Pilfer and it was the only dressage saddle he really liked and it really helps you sit correctly- so comfy!

Pilfer is very much NOT tb shaped (he has an extra wide Pessoa to jump in and is built like a show hunter).

I also used it on a horse with a roachback and also on my then 4yro and it fitted them both nicely.

there is some gossip about Jaguars but imo it is unfounded and most of the people repeating it have never even sat in one!
 
I went for a new Amerigo in the end after trying many others. I tried out the full range of Amerigos and it was the deep seated one that allowed me to really sit to him, and he also went really well in it, much more free through the shoulders. I agree it feels odd to do rising trot in initially but that's because it's so well designed for sitting trot! If you went for a new one they could alter the knee rolls if you wanted. My biggest gripe is that I don't need the biggish knee rolls the saddle comes with as it is so easy to sit in anyway. My hips ached for the first few weeks I had it and I thought uh oh (previously had a narrow, non existent Passier) but now I'm used to it it's fine.

I also tried several new Jaguars on my horse but I prefer the Amerigo on him. However, I have ridden other horses in Jaguars and it felt right. Personal preference.
 
I had an Albion SLK Ultima on a wide horse with not much wither. I used to really like it, then i bought a Wow saddle for my other horse and it made my Albion feel like sitting on a piece of board. I have since sold my Albion and got my Wow fitted on my wide horse and its fantastic, shes like a different horse in it. I would never buy anything but Wow saddles now.
 
millitiger said:
there is some gossip about Jaguars but imo it is unfounded and most of the people repeating it have never even sat in one!
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I'm just repeating what I have been told by 3 different saddle fitters who do all stock Jags, and rate them as nice saddles, but have said they are very specific in their fit :) For what it's worth, the ones I have sat on (and their are a couple, both jumping and dressage) I have really liked, but my horses haven't :) However, a couple of horses I have ridden in them have preferred them to their Devoucoux saddles, so it really is horses for courses :)
 
I work in a dressage yard where 90% of saddles are Albions, various models as they very in how old/new they are and love all of them!! The latest are platinums I think(but may be wrong) and really like them. Feel very secure in the saddle, legs where I want them without having to think about it, and go on most horses.
However one of the owners likes Amerigo saddles ao that is what her horses have-I really cannot get on with them at all. I feel very vulnerable after sitting in the Albions as the Amerigos are so open. I also struggle with my leg position in them because to be comfortable my knees want to be over the knee rolls so the only way to make my legs fit in the saddle is to lengthen my stirrups so my knees sit in the right place=me with stirrups far too long and unable to do anything but sitting trot because I can't reach the stirrups!
 
Ive just bought a Frank Baines Reflex Deluxe, not something i would of looked at tbh. But it fits my horse & me so well it makes riding easy i actually am in love with it lol after all the problems ive had for years:eek:. I do have a WOW for sale if anyone interested.:rolleyes:

Ive ridden a few times in a Jaguar & i liked it a lot it was a close contact one & i felt very secure.
Also ridden in Albions there nice but never fit my horse:mad:.

Ideals are lovely & have a big bucket type seat they really do keep you in there.
 
Thanks for all your replies - I know its very individual to horse and rider but its useful knowing peoples experiences and which models to look for etc


eventergirl87 said:
I don't know why it was said they hardly fit anything as the trees are completly remodable, and there are many many different styles.

Have you been on the site and looked for a fitter (I've had 2 when being in different areas of the country).

QUOTE]
FrodoBeutlin said:
Why do you say Prestiges are harder to sell? I adore them, sadly not too easy to find in Germany so they were never an option (we tried a couple but they didn't fit Rauti so I went for the Albion instead) but did have one in the past (a dozen years ago!) and it was fantastic and more recently I've sat on friends' Prestiges and they are fantastic saddles :)
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Sorry I obviously didnt make it clear - I had seen the saddles online and thought they looked really nice and that they might suit my horse. When asking the saddle place where I was trying the amerigos etc they said that in their experience they are not suited to many horses and are more of a rider saddle than a horse saddle and in their so many years of being open they had only sold one and that was a horse that nothing else fit. When I went on the website to find fitter the one for my area was the one above that dont actually stock any to try and another place whose website didnt work. Nowhere else seems to stock them locally for me to try.

lannerch said:
Don't write the amerigo off too quickly when I first got mine I could not ride in it, it took me a few days to realign my balance now it is the comfiest saddle I have sat in!

good luck in your quest
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dressager said:
I went for a new Amerigo in the end after trying many others. I tried out the full range of Amerigos and it was the deep seated one that allowed me to really sit to him, and he also went really well in it, much more free through the shoulders. I agree it feels odd to do rising trot in initially but that's because it's so well designed for sitting trot! If you went for a new one they could alter the knee rolls if you wanted. My biggest gripe is that I don't need the biggish knee rolls the saddle comes with as it is so easy to sit in anyway. My hips ached for the first few weeks I had it and I thought uh oh (previously had a narrow, non existent Passier) but now I'm used to it it's fine.

I also tried several new Jaguars on my horse but I prefer the Amerigo on him. However, I have ridden other horses in Jaguars and it felt right. Personal preference.
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I'm glad im not the only one that couldnt do rising trot in the amerigo - it was most bizarre. could sit the trot really well but went rising and my knee just crept forward. Even if i got used to it i think the cc def isnt for me as it put me in a chair seat. I think maybe the deep seated was better for me position wise.

tinkerbell88 said:
I work in a dressage yard where 90% of saddles are Albions, various models as they very in how old/new they are and love all of them!! The latest are platinums I think(but may be wrong) and really like them. Feel very secure in the saddle, legs where I want them without having to think about it, and go on most horses.
However one of the owners likes Amerigo saddles ao that is what her horses have-I really cannot get on with them at all. I feel very vulnerable after sitting in the Albions as the Amerigos are so open. I also struggle with my leg position in them because to be comfortable my knees want to be over the knee rolls so the only way to make my legs fit in the saddle is to lengthen my stirrups so my knees sit in the right place=me with stirrups far too long and unable to do anything but sitting trot because I can't reach the stirrups!
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haha this sounds like me! putting stirrups down for sitting but not being able to rise then up to see if i could rise better!

I think albions may be a much better shape for me but obviously wont know until ive ridden in them. i have ridden in a few in the past and dont remember thinking oh crikey this is weird mroe like just rode and didnt really notice the saddle - maybe a good sign?

Excited about trying them tomorrow!
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dressagecrazy said:
Ive just bought a Frank Baines Reflex Deluxe, not something i would of looked at tbh. But it fits my horse & me so well it makes riding easy i actually am in love with it lol after all the problems ive had for years:eek:. I do have a WOW for sale if anyone interested.:rolleyes:

QUOTE]

I do like the frank baines and barnsby but you dont tend to see many second hand and noweher locally seems to stock them. glad youve found your perfect saddle!
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Having ridden in an Albion VSD (which I hate - tips me forwards awfully) for 12 months I've now invested in a Luc Childeric monoflap - lovely latex panels and has moulded really quickly to me & horsey! Worth a look but not cheap!
 
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