How 'essential' are close contact jumping saddles?

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lucym

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hi all
i currently have an old jefferies hawk event, and dont have much room for my thighs and my knees sort of poke off the front
i am working on my defensive xc seat, aka legs forward on girth, grip with calves not knees, stick toes out! and the saddle doesnt really feel like its helping me
so....how much difference does a jumping saddle make for sj and xc riding? are they essential?
i am on a studnet budget, so cant spend millions, but is it worth raking out some savings for a saddle? will it help that much?
i know obs it wouldnt make me a star rider over night, but i just wnated to pick poeples brains as to how much differnece they actually make
thank you
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Decent jumping saddle which fits you makes a world of difference - but CC or not is your preference. I've had an Albion K2 jump (double flap) and an Ideal Springbok - CC style single flap (not true CC as it has wool flocking which I personally prefer for the horse's back).

The wrong jump saddle will not help at all - I can't ride in the Ideal Impala.
 
Agree with SpottedCat! I have gone through a few saddles through suitability for me and Goddy! I dont think CLose contact saddles are nec a must, but certainly "jumping saddles" are
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I rode in one when I was a WP that I couldnt balance in at all, and fell off on a regular basis as a result
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I have gone from having an Albion K2 Jump that was my ponies, and I LOVED on my pony, but hated on Goddy, to having THE most close contact saddle in my Barnsby Xtreem, with a Bates momentum, and a Ideal Springbok inbetween! Loved the feel the bates gave me, but Goddy hated it, then got my Ideal Springbok which is a lovely lovely saddle, but Goddy has changed shape so its not 100% on him, and although I really liked it, I wanted something really close contact as I struggle to keep my leg on G. Now got a Barnsby Xtreem which is the most close contact saddle, but has really helped me wait a bit more and ride slightly more defensively! It has taken alot of getting used to, but I love it
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it is worth trying alot of different saddles, as some will help you alot, others wont. I hate GP types as they encourage you to bury your knees in the knee rolls and give you support in the wrong places IMO
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They are not essential at all providing you and your horse are comfortable. I know someone who was placed in the top ten of the olympics and badminton riding in a GP saddle costing no more than £350 new.
 
I used to have a Albion jumping saddle (think it might have been a K2?) saddle it no longer fits my horse.... she got to thin!
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I have since tried my sisters albion (the one thats in h and h a lot) single flap saddle and managed to fall off!!
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- It wasnt a great situation though sharing a saddle which was why i didnt get much practice!

My instructor then said to use my ideal gp saddle (i had a lesson and she thought it was good for my leg etc), so have stuck with that
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and have been around a novice and pre novice three day happily.

Im a student too and cant really justify a new saddle at the mo
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I just have an "event" saddle which I use for SJ (1.20m level) and BE (novice level). I personally like quite a decent sized saddle, I dont think I could ride in those tiny little close contact saddles with flat seats - I like feeling secure in mine!
 
You just need a saddle that fits you. If you got one that could accomodate your knee it will make the world of difference to you. I personally don't like close contact saddles as I think you have to be a very good rider to ride in one.
 
Two of my horses have cc's for jumping one is an Oberon and one is a Pessoa and I can honestly say it makes no difference if I jump in the cc or the Ideal International Event saddles, it just comes down to preference at the end of the day, I acquired mine as they were more than 1/2 price at tack shop sales.
 
it is all personal preference- i hate saddles with a lot of padding which rule out brands such as Albion, Ideal etc and prefer makes like Pessoa and Passier, which i guess are CC.

for jumping i like as flat a seat as poss with the smallest knee rolls i can get, but as said before, its a personal choice and you just have to try as many saddles as possible and see what suits you
 
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for jumping i like as flat a seat as poss with the smallest knee rolls i can get

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Ditto, i dont like saddles that interfere with my balance. I do think that they make a difference, but I wouldn't be too worried about ushing out and getting one
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i have a saddle based on the devacoux design, and its made HUGE difference....HUGE!!
if i could be bothered id post some pics to show you!
i hate jumping in my GP now,,theres no room for my legs, you cant get them forward, so you cant have as shorter stirrups, therefore not as good balence.
 
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