Ideal Exceed saddle or Impala Pro

[Waysandmeans]

Hiya. Daughter has had terrible trouble with finding a jump saddle for her big warmblood. Seen several local saddlers without any luck (including being sold an unsuitable saddle). Everything just bounces and lifts at back (big long wither, flat broad back, ! His Stressage is an ideal Jessica which is quite good actually with a thin prolite added when hes fitter and leaner. Albion K2 did fit initially then bounced, saddler tried different flocking options but then it seemed to squeeze under the stirrup bars and bounce more. Black Countries mono event and a quantum too curved, various HD, Winners circle, Silhoutte, Fairfax, Amerigo all no use. Ideal T&T sat oddly, one of the AH saddles ok but not fwd enough for very long legged slim rider. Others too bulky aagh, GFS has a horrible cantle
After that essay (Apologies) - an Ideal Exceed was suggested by one saddler (although none in stock). Has anyone used one, tried one and how does it compare with an Impala Pro which was also suggested (not double flap)? Many thanks

 

[sbloom]

Which AH did you try? Can't help on the Exceed but I'd say the Impala isn't as flat as most AH models.

 

[superpony]

Your horse sounds very similar to my mare. She is ISH, very broad and I tried loads of saddles. I had a Albion for a bit but then wasn’t right.
I went with the impala monoflap and love it! She goes really well in it and it suits me as I have very long legs.
The new bates jump saddle also fitted her really well but I hated it!

 

[Waysandmeans]

Thanks for your replies. I thought he would be mega straightforward after her nightmare pony - so a bit alarmed! Impala sounds a bit more promising.

sbloom - unfortunately I can't remember which model but think it was a GP. It was a chap that came out with loads of trees (v interesting) and some 2nd hand and new saddles. The Jeffries Liberty tree sat quite well but horse was a bit porkier than he should of been at the time. He suggested looking for an Exceed but nobody seems to know much about them! Horse is just about 17hh warmblood with bone and a massive ribcage!

Another saddler suggested an Andrew Hoy, or GFS but not keen on either former would be too curvy again I would think. And a Flat tree Albion K2 was also suggested but they are like hens teeth and Im still not 100% sure they would be generous enough under the stirrup bars. Tried to upload a pic but unfortunately too big.

 

[sbloom]

AH make jump models on the same trees as the GP models (3 trees/models) so you can definitely get more forward cut version of all of them. There is a YouTube channel with videos explaining the models.

What you say about the K2 is the issue, there are 3 main aspects to a tree, disregarding width at the front. Flatness you're covering, width of head is important, you'll need at least a medium wide head (pommel), but then there's rail shape, and many don't have flat/wide enough rails.

 

[Widgeon]

The Impala monoflap is a nice saddle - it fits my cob (i.e. is suitably wide-ish and flat-ish) and has plenty of space for my long legs.

 

[Lovethebeach]

Have you looked at Heritage Saddles, the LS shoulder relief with larger flaps may suit

 

[billylula]

We have a 17hh ish and the impala pro is so good we even do dressage in it!

 

[Waysandmeans]

Have you looked at Heritage Saddles, the LS shoulder relief with larger flaps may suit

Thanks. Loved the old Heritages and currently use one on him, but asides from being rather wide (use padded up) it's just not suitable for his shape.

 

[jsprince]

Have you tried an Ideal Gazelle?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I use Lavinia Mitchell dressage saddles on my difficult to fit Arab's, both have a wide sprung ribcage one is very flat with a small wither and it's the only saddle that doesn't move on him.

They do various different types and can make one to your specific needs if you need to go down that road, or there are second hand ones around if you know what you need.

 

[Waysandmeans]

Thank you all for your suggestions

Took a punt and bought a used one owner Exceed which is the same size as his current Ideal Jessica Dressage. First impressions - it has a lovely wide channel which our horse really likes and sits quite nicely. Slightly wide but flocking very light and thin at front. Used a thin prolite with thin shims temporarily until we saw saddler. Horse seems happy with the only if, being when he lands from a jump - it looks like the saddle is slipping forward a bit. Using his sheepskin Dressage girth atm until we had saddle checked. It has a free swinging girth system according to Ideal's blurb.

Saddler saw yesterday and agreed it was good, sat nicely and she flocked up the front. She said his scapula came back far, so important to sit saddle back but liked how the flap was soft. She also said he had a forward girth groove and suggested a prolite girth. Personally I am not a massive fan after using one on a previous horse though that was a long girth. He needs a short girth but he has a massive ribcage so probably 32-34". My slight concern is that it is still too wide for him . . . we shall see. Gorgeous saddle though I must confess - though they don't seem very well known or popular like the Impala Pro?

 

[Waysandmeans]

Aaah me again.

Although saddler flocked up front lightly in the saddle - it is still too wide! Statically it looks perfect but in motion I think the head is too open hence the sliding forward jumping. - especially as he is toning up more now.

Saddler not interested. They suggested a Fairfax Big Block. Im not convinced - think they are maybe too curvy having tried a dula flap shoulder relief on a previous flatbacked warmblood (it bounced)?

I wonder if the Impala pro would sit better - though I'm not a massive fan of mono's - think they give less flexibility in fitting/girthing - but I'm prob talking rubbish!!

Any suggestions for warmblood with a long wither thats wide at the base and a flat back? He does like a wide channel. All saddles seem to lift at back so far except the Jessica. Will try and get pics later.

TIA

 

[sbloom]

You need a flatter, wider tree, look at the wide specialist saddles.

 

[Waysandmeans]

Hi sbloom thanks for your reply. This saddle was recommended because it fits very flat, and its wide through the gullet, by a wide 'specialist' saddler (who I think you may know). Not that i can get hold of this person since the suggestion . . .! I think the horse doesn't like how its very forward cut - and studying jumping pics - as the rider lands the front lifts and slides fwd. Have been using on and off for 18 months, an old heritage (padded up) which belonged to our other pony but its only 17" and does slightly slip left. Albion never shifted but he pulled down a lot in it. Thank you again. Pic is from a few months ago. He is fitter now so a bit leaner and more muscled

 

[Jellymoon]

So frustrating for you! I think you do need something more specialist, maybe if he liked the AH (I think you said that?) but it wasn’t forward cut enough, you could get them to make you one that suits the rider? Or, correct me if I’m wrong, I believe one of the AH fitters also does another brand which I’m hearing good things about, so you could have a look at both.

Not the answer to your question re Impala Pro, but I think it’s hard to find a solution ‘off the peg’ with wider/flatter horses, they are so tricky.

Also, I would say, from my experience, you may never find the perfect fit as your horse perhaps doesn’t move perfectly, or isn’t symmetrically muscled (not saying yours isn’t, can’t tell from one pic) and you may have to use shims and pads to get it nearly right most of the time. Also, riding the horse in the dressage saddle he likes for everything and then just using the jumping one only for jumping might help.

 

[sbloom]

maybe if he liked the AH (I think you said that?) but it wasn’t forward cut enough, you could get them to make you one that suits the rider?

There is at least one jump saddle made on every tree (2-3 made on the Sport tree) as standard saddles, plus customisations available if required. I'd not spotted which thread this was on, with my last comment, so forgot we'd already talked about them!

I believe one of the AH fitters also does another brand which I’m hearing good things about, so you could have a look at both.

All of us fit other brands but if you mean me then yes I took on another brand nearly two years ago

@Waysandmeans the Impala isn't super flat but your horse doesn't actually want super flat, that's a fair wither. You may need something with longer points (do they reach the ribcage with the saddle in balance?), there are so many possibilities of what may be not quite right for the fit now. I have sent him a message or two recently and not heard back, trying to find out if all's okay with him.

 

[Waysandmeans]

So frustrating for you! I think you do need something more specialist, maybe if he liked the AH (I think you said that?) but it wasn’t forward cut enough, you could get them to make you one that suits the rider? Or, correct me if I’m wrong, I believe one of the AH fitters also does another brand which I’m hearing good things about, so you could have a look at both.

Not the answer to your question re Impala Pro, but I think it’s hard to find a solution ‘off the peg’ with wider/flatter horses, they are so tricky.

Also, I would say, from my experience, you may never find the perfect fit as your horse perhaps doesn’t move perfectly, or isn’t symmetrically muscled (not saying yours isn’t, can’t tell from one pic) and you may have to use shims and pads to get it nearly right most of the time. Also, riding the horse in the dressage saddle he likes for everything and then just using the jumping one only for jumping might help.

Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions - much appreciated.

My daughter did hack mainly in his Dressage but was hoping to ride a bit more in his jump saddle. It's actually an Exceed which is slightly different from the Impala but understand what you are saying. The guy who spent time trying trees just sat an AH but nothing was ridden in. He is the sort of horse where most saddles look fab statically . There is a dearth of saddlers here unfortunately!

 

[sbloom]

Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions - much appreciated.

My daughter did hack mainly in his Dressage but was hoping to ride a bit more in his jump saddle. It's actually an Exceed which is slightly different from the Impala but understand what you are saying. The guy who spent time trying trees just sat an AH but nothing was ridden in. He is the sort of horse where most saddles look fab statically . There is a dearth of saddlers here unfortunately!

Where are you?

 

[Waysandmeans]

There is at least one jump saddle made on every tree (2-3 made on the Sport tree) as standard saddles, plus customisations available if required. I'd not spotted which thread this was on, with my last comment, so forgot we'd already talked about them!



All of us fit other brands but if you mean me then yes I took on another brand nearly two years ago

@Waysandmeans the Impala isn't super flat but your horse doesn't actually want super flat, that's a fair wither. You may need something with longer points (do they reach the ribcage with the saddle in balance?), there are so many possibilities of what may be not quite right for the fit now. I have sent him a message or two recently and not heard back, trying to find out if all's okay with him.

Thank you too for taking the time to reply and suggest.
Yes, really liked the person who took a lot of time to try trees - but maybe it wasn't reciprocated But jokes (I hope) aside I hope he is ok. and would be great to see again.

It's not an Impala, its an Ideal Exceed. Not sure re the points - maybe they are too short which is why at least the K2 and the BC ( Quantum and Vinizi) didn't move. But he didn't like the narrower gullet channels and the K2 squeezed him behind the stirrup bar area (came up with slight inflammation and pulled down). Though it was ok originally when he was carrying less condition. But saying that everything bounces aaagh! Was trying to upload images but too big!

I will have a look again at your website sbloom - thank you.

 

[Waysandmeans]

Where are you?

Guildford.

X-ceed mono (I have been spelling it wrong!) WRS Tree

This is the blurb - The X-Ceed has been cleverly designed for position and contact with an open seat, perfect leg and boot cut flap, slim panel with wide bearing area and featuring Ideal’s Shock-Absorber system for optimal pressure distribution. Specifically designed to fit the modern sports horse, the X-Ceed is manufactured using soft solid leather and the finest Italian calf providing unsurpassed quality and feel.