Dressage saddles

[CentrestageSHS]

Hiya, I'm new to this but I just wondered if anybody had some good advice when it comes to dressage saddles. I have previously only done BSJA and XC but after I broke my leg I won't be able to jump for 18 months so I am doing some BD with my horse. He is a big chunky 17h polish warmblood and would need a large wide saddle but I am only 5'2" and petite so I don't want to feel lost in a big saddle. I like the look of the deep-seated dressage saddles with large knee-rolls, but i have heard mixed reports about these. The Jaguar and amerigo type saddles look very nice but I have heard things like they tip you forward and are only suitable for long-legged riders? I have heard good reports about albion saddles but they all look big heavy saddles to me? Can anybody reccommend a supportive saddle suitable for a small rider and large horse!!!

P.s does any body know of a saddle company that only puts an L on the saddle stud and no makers name anywhere else? Only I have seen a gorgeous dressage saddle on ebay and unfortunately missed the ending, it was a big saddle with massive oversized knee-rolls. see http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...p;rd=1&rd=1

I would love to find out where I could get one of these!

Sorry I've gone on a bit, but please if anybody has any input let me know!

 

[Halfstep]

Check out the new Ideal dressage range: web page
I'm small (5'2 and a bit) and have the Roella 1350. I love it and it does not tip me forward at all.

x

 

[rubyred]

Waiting to see the answer to this. All I can add is I find Albions too big and wide

 

[Tempi]

Ideal Dressage saddle - lightweight, relatively cheap - approx £1000 including fitting. Amazingly comfy, nice big knee rolls and great for skinny people!!!!

http://www.idealsaddle.co.uk/catalogue/saddle/17

i have the above one. I also have an albion slk ultima narrow, which is no where near as comfy as the ideal and was twice the price!!

 

[CentrestageSHS]

Hiya, thanks for replying, both the ideal saddles look really nice and quite cheap as well, all the ideal saddles I have seen have been quite old and boring, but the new range look quite appealing! I did have my heart set on a jaguar but I don't think i would get one to fit me as well as my horse! I'm going to see if they do trial periods

 

[Tempi]

i personally dont like jaguar saddles, but thats just my personal thing!!

 

[CentrestageSHS]

Yeh, I suppose everybody likes different things. I couldn't comment on how they ride, just from looking at them on other horses, I liked the styling. I like the way Damian Hallam rides and I notice he rides in a Sue Carson saddle, but they are very expensive and don't come up second-hand very often. I've just been looking at good riders to see what they prefer, not that it will make me ride any better!!! I did notice at the BD Winter finals the majority of riders had either albion, jaguar, amerigo or passier with a few keiffer's dotted about. I didn't want to pay over £1000 but I could stretch a bit further if it was a really good saddle.

 

[CentrestageSHS]

P.S I would pay upto £1000 for a 2nd hand saddle in good condition, but I would pay the full RRP for a decent new saddle, is what I meant

 

[lillie07]

I had a Jaguar and don't really rate them- would rather have an Albion or similar anyday. I sold mine to purchase a WOW (hav'nt got round to it yet though)

 

[dixie]

What about the Bates Dressage - very reasonably priced and very comfortable.

 

[Alibear]

Another short rider who loves ideals checking in here.

 

[Louby]

Ive got a Jaguar but only because of my horses short back and the fact that apparantly Im big!!! (saddlers words LOL) Im a size 12.
My friend is tiny and about 5'3 and has one too but with a shorter panel put in it. If I could pick any dressage saddle I'd have a Derby House Kentucky as they are so so supportive and are reasonable too.

 

[Worried1]

We bought a seconhand Amerigo Perinola (SIC?) - it is the most lovely saddle I have ever sat in! I'm 5'7 with not particularly long legs and it doesn't tip me forwards at all. It is is really comfortable and my horse seems to like it too! I have also had two Ideal Jessica saddles which were both lovely and fantastic value for money. We also have an Albion and an Olney which is a virtual copy of the Albion but without the red dot! Personally I feel Albion saddles are really heavy - top of my list is the Amerigo with the Ideal a close second.

 

[K27]

I recommend Amerigo close contact dressage saddle and Jaguar XKC. I am average height and find the flaps on both saddles to be fine. Both saddles put you in a good position and are gd quality- my horses go really well in them and the saddles are balanced. I wold say that the only time that I feel like the Amerigo is trying to tip me forward is when it needs re flocking. I personally don't get on with Albion saddles as I find them too bulky for me. good luck and I hope that you find a saddle that you and your horse like- it is a personal preference though!!

 

[Blondievik]

I think the L on the stud stands for Lemetex, very expensive and favoured by the professionals. I have a Wintec 500 dressage very comfy, easy to find and ideal as a second saddle, I used to have an Albion, beautiful but I wouldn't ride in the rain it was so precious.
Hope you find something suitable, It's such a personal choice and very much trial and error.

 

[custard]

Not everybody's cup of tea but swear by my Heather Moffett treeless jobby and am only 5'4" with muscly thighs, long body and short legs!

I also found I got on well with a working hunter saddle as most dressage saddles seem to be aimed at the long/thin legged!!