GP or event saddle?

[NeverSayNever]

guys - can you enlighten me please?

i currently have a gp saddle and looked for a while at getting a jumping saddle. however i didnt find anything i was happy with, not that i could afford anyway.

im now thinking along the lines of a gp that has better kneerolls than my current one, or an event saddle?

i cant really afford to have more than one saddle - so what would be my best option to use all the time? for hacking, flatwork, sj and xc... aiming for a bit of BE as well.

what is the difference between an event saddle and a gp?

thanks

 

[Beechlawn]

GP saddles have one position you can sit in, if you look at the seat there is a short flat area to sit on.

Normal looking Event saddles are GPs with a longer flat area in the seat allowing you to sit more forward and upright for flatwork, and while jumping more room to slip your bum back over a fence within the saddle.

Current fashion Event saddles are flat seat close contact, often single flap (dressage girthed) to give close leg contact on horses side, no need to move leg to ask horse. Flat seat allows you to move yourself back within the saddle over a larger fence, sit back on a drop.
Down side is due to it being a fashion buy, many riders do not ensure the saddle delivers the correct support for their size and build.

Best to try some saddle over jumps to see what offers the best support for you, taking into consideration the way your horse goes ie sharp or needs leg on strong.
If you are secure as you are do not change unless you feel a significant difference!

Hope that helps