Eventing - All 3 phases with a GP saddle???

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bandit

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Hi

wondered how many eventers (at intro / pre novice level at least) only use on GP saddle?

I have a lovely old Falcon event saddle but was looking to get nice dressage / jumping saddles.

however, the part of my brain that runs the finances and practicalities is probably going to put a stop to it, as if i now buy them, i probably won't have the funds to do the eventing...

Opinions / ideas and anyone in the same boat as me.

Ta muchly.

Bx
 
in same boat im afraid,will just be using one saddle, would love to afford a dressage saddle as well, but sadly not going to happen for a while
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No but I only have a single panel XC saddle & do all 3 in it. Horse goes well in it & I had to sell my dressage to pay for vets fees
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you don't have to spend a fortune to get good dressage saddle, i picked up mine at good local master saddlers, cos i asked what he had in back, which folks would think is is old hat! Picked up beautiful County - precurse of Alibon(sp) for a grand total of £150
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and had it reflocked brilliant never looked back
and have done same when i needed a GP exercise saddle, pick that one up for £120
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when i was chatting to saddlers they just don't what to do with old saddles!!! as some folk will change saddle for next fashionable one so i would go and chat local saddler up and see what they got...
 
My sister evented up to novice in her GP and even did a 1 star in it. I have competed upto Pre-novice in a GP but I often do dressage in a jumping saddle as it fits almost every horse its been on and can't afford anything else.
 
I do, I have a made to measure saddle and it would wipe my bank account out to make a dressage saddle!
 
Sarah Bullen who trained and owned Rock King rode all her babies up to Novice level in the oldest GP saddle that youv'e ever seen! For all three phases!
 
Evented India up to Novice in a VSD GP - about to do the same on Lexi when she goes Novice next month.

Would love a jumping saddle but can't afford one so I have to use what I have got.
 
A lot of professionals use just a jumping saddle for all 3 phases on babies - more stickability!!

I did for my first season of PN, managed to get a bargain dressage saddle then! Now got bargain dressage saddle and devocoux which took so long to save up for but is so worth it!
 
well by the sound of it i won't be out of place, and should just use what i can afford and both mare and i are happy with!

my saddler used to do 2nd hand, but now doesn't
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however she does have the details of someone who does and who took on all her 2nd hand work etc.

i suppose too i had better first see if either of us are any good - it's an untried combo and i've never evented before. well i don't htink getting elim in an unaff intro last year counts...

Bx
 
I was lucky with both bally and winston had my lovely dressage saddle and a jumping saddle although Ballys was more of a GP.

Unfortunately the bootiful dressage saddle is too big for young snoop so I only have my single flap excelle saddle for him lol

I shall be there, dressage, sjing and xc in the same saddle! with my lovely dressage saddle left at home.
Will speak to saddler re a cheapo for snoop however, no point me buying one yet, i have no idea if he will take to eventing, and i would rather use the money on training or competitions than a saddle atm.
 
yeah Vix, i would love to afford the saddles and could, but then i would have NO money for lessons / comps / deisel / A LIFE etc!!!

so sadly they will be returned, and i'll use my saddle. it's the one i rode Ludo in and we did everything in that - hunted, dressage, jumping, farting about etc.. so i do love it!!!

can't wait to get out though - this rain is getting me down :-(
 
We used a GP for ages and so did lots of other people.
It won't even be noticed so don't worry about it.
The first event we did seemed quite intimidating with beautifully turned out horses and riders working in everywhere, once we realised many of them would either get fences downin the sj or eliminated going XC we stopped worrying.
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oh HH - thanks!!!

I groomed lots last year so know how funny it is to see people 'look the part' but dont' get v far!!!

I have resigned myself now to keep my nice ancient falcon saddle, and therefore being able to afford to compete and train, and if we get on well and for some bizarre reason feel it's holding me back, then i'll buy next yr.

I'm so excited now about the season - just so nervous too!!!
 
I used a GP up to Novice BE with no probs at all. Only recently have I bought a dressage saddle. But Ill use my GP for the jumping phases still.

I really only bought a dressage saddle coz I didnt "look" right! I felt that the dressage judge wouldnt take me seriously....!
 
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