Dressage saddles

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Jo C

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Not sure if I am allowed to ask this, but are there any dressage saddles that I should stay away from, conversley what dressage saddles do you prefer? I know this will come down to personal opinion and also shape of horse but just interested. He is a very long backed connemara, quite well muscled and a medium wide fit if that helps at all. And I am 5'2" with short legs
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I am leaning towards Ideal at the moment but had a bad experience with an Ideal once so am not sure. Hasten to add also had some Ideal saddles that I absolutely loved. Anyway your opinions please.
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I have an Ideal Jessica and love it but do bear in mind that the tree does not fit every horse so you may have to try a few different types to find the best fit for the horse.
 
I had an Ideal Jessica for my long-backed round, no-wither connemara and loved it, but have an Ideal VSD now for my shorter backed warmblood pony and loathe it .

I'm looking at a WOW saddle in the long run, but a Jessica's probably not a bad choice if you can find a decent saddler who knows how to fit it (and if it fits you - mine didn't, but I'm an inch shorter than you with small legs and my knees were nowhere near the knee rolls)

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Hmm this is what worries me, that I'll get one to fit the horse but won't fit me, and if course all dressage saddles seem to be hugely expensive. Nice to hear others view though, thanks.
 
Amerigo is a lovely saddle but also a lovely price. I am riding in an Isabell werth with cair at the mo and my horse loves it and it helps greatly with my position.
 
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I have an Ideal Jessica and love it but do bear in mind that the tree does not fit every horse so you may have to try a few different types to find the best fit for the horse.

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I have the same, is the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden in
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Hi - I have had 2 Ideal Jessica over the past 10 years, and have found them both extremely comfortable.

The present one was bought as a very good second hand for my connemara, and has now had some flocking adjustment and fits my 16.1 TB X ID very well. At 5ft 4in, there is not much difference in our heights so size wise you should be fine. This has to be the cheapest good quality dressage saddle I have seen (I think new around £650/700 at the moment), before moving up to the Albions etc.
 
I would go for what fits your horse and feels comfortable for you. In my experience KN's are better avoided as they are often too narrow for a lot of horses.....I think the best thing you could do is get an experienced saddler out.
 
Thanks guys, we are booked into the saddler on Sat, I currently have a Bates Cair but it just doesn't fit anymore no matter what plate is in it. Ideal would be my 1st choice mainly due to cost but I will bite the bullet and get whatever fits at the end of the day. I have somewhere in the back of my head that Stubben dressage saddles have the stirrup bars in the wrong place, now have I made that up? Obviously want to steer clear if this is the case. All your opinions are very useful though keep them coming please
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My friend has a Stubben and loves it, Ive rode her horse and it was very comfy. But to be honest a good saddler is the best option, then you can find a saddle to suit you both. I must of tried 7 or 8, which fitted my horse perfectly, but just did not feel right to me, then I got on the Albion SLK and said out loud, this is the one, it just felt right.
 
I like the new Albion one.

I use a Bates ultima, which is lovely, and an amerigo which is also fab, and great for the youngsters as it is like riding with a velcro bum and a seat belt!
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My least favourite saddle in my tack room is my passier, which i find very uncomfortable and it offers v. little support!
 
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