GP saddles...

Sol

Sol

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Does anyone know a nice (preferably leather but anything is good) make of GP/VSD/similar saddle that would work for someone who has long thighs
Don't know if this would work, as I tend to jump with incredibly short leathers, and when I do dressage like to ride fairly long... but normally with standard knee rolls my knees hit them and are pushed backwards throwing my position out... stupid legs!

But as a friend pointed out earlier - poneh likes jumping, not dressage, though undoubtedly his flatwork needs LOTS of work, and my first love is dressage, so I don't need a jumping saddle tbh, and if he's going to make me jump more, a dressage saddle isn't the best! And I wont be able to afford to replace 2 saddles with 2 new saddles!


Plus point of the week - I found out that he actually lunges, I didn't think he would

Double chocolate cookies for you all
tongue.gif
 
Bearing in mind that a GP is always going to be a compromise, I can see your point re the expense and the fact that you really only need a saddle to jump in occasionally.

Best option, if you can find one, is to go with a saddle with thigh blocks, not knee rolls. I have yet to meet an "off the rack" saddle where the knee rolls are in a suitable position and, as you've found, having your knee on the roll either pushes it out or back, neither of which is safe or comfortable. It's true that VSD saddles, especially, far more commonly come with rolls but there are a few makes out there, particularly German ones, that seem to have the option.

Another possibility is, if you find a saddle you otherwise really like, get your saddler to have a look before you buy and see if it would be possible to take the rolls off and replace with small blocks. This is, unfortunately, not very likely because of the way the flaps are designed on many saddles, but it's worth an ask.

A third option might be a saddle with a velcro panel for attaching blocks or rolls as desired. This seems to be increasingly popular. I've even known of people having such a arrangement put on a saddle, to broaden the options for different riders.
 
Thank you, all of those suggestions sound possible... I will have to look into it some more!

I like the idea of velcro (which is why I like the Bates) so I think that could work out brilliantly... hmm

Thanks!
 
What about a Albion Selecta.... they have got the option to change the knee rolls. Can them up fairly cheaply second hand
 
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