Fairfax Classic GP - similar saddles to consider

[emfen1305]

Posting on behalf of a friend not on the forum. She has been advised to get a 17in Fairfax Classic GP saddle for her hard to fit horse (big wither, short back for his size and huge shoulders) but they are like hens teeth, especially in 17in! She did try one from the fitter who recommended it but it was a 17.5in so she couldn't buy it. She is now looking at new ones but there is a long lead time on them and she has already been looking for 4 months. Can anyone recommend a place that stocks them new or second hand that I might have not thought of (tried all the national places like saddle bank plus multiple fitters in the NW) or a similar saddle that she could try? Thanks!

 

[Baywonder]

I am assuming the NW of England - has your friend been in contact with Cath Lonsdale or Fylde Saddlery to see if they have anything suitable for her to try?

 

[willowblack]

If she doesn’t mind more of a jump saddle, the Andrew Hoy is fab! Daughter has an oversized Connie with a huge shoulder but quite short backed that we have had no end of trouble fitting saddles too and I’ve bought way too many brand new ones for him to admit to ? we have finally found the perfect one for him in the Andrew Hoy and it’s also completely adjustable. She likes it so much I’m just waiting for another for a new horse. I did see that there are sometimes some on eBay.

 

[sbloom]

If she doesn’t mind more of a jump saddle, the Andrew Hoy is fab! Daughter has an oversized Connie with a huge shoulder but quite short backed that we have had no end of trouble fitting saddles too and I’ve bought way too many brand new ones for him to admit to ? we have finally found the perfect one for him in the Andrew Hoy and it’s also completely adjustable. She likes it so much I’m just waiting for another for a new horse. I did see that there are sometimes some on eBay.

Pretty sure it'll be a completely different shaped tree, just the same headplates.

Have you looked at their site, or contacted Fairfax, and worked through their stockists? Or can she go back to the fitter and ask if there are other options? It's unlikely to be a very unusual shape, so there should be other options.