Ideal Impala, Monarch Jump & K&M Jump

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Christmas Crumpet

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My saddler has recommended the three saddles for us as I am finding my current saddle is too bulky under my thigh for me when jumping and I find it hard to get the right position.

Does anyone use any of the above saddles for horses with big shoulders and any good or bad reviews? Or can you suggest anything else that might work so I can keep an eye out for suitable saddles locally. I've got a 15.1hh coloured ISH who is pretty wide, can't take bigger than a 17" and has big shoulders so needs something to sit behind his scapula and not push forwards. He currently has a working hunter saddle with a forward cut flap stitched on - it fits him well and its mega comfy but for jumping, its just a bit too bulky under my thigh.
 
I use an impala for jumping and have found it brilliant. Horse has a massive shoulder, short back and high long sloping wither and rider has long legs. I find it comfy and secure and he goes well. Mine's a 16.5"
 
Please don't go with a monarch.

I am in an ongoing dispute with GFS (manufacturer) because my brand new monarch GP has a twisted tree. I'm not alone in having problems with them it turns out, so unless your saddler has a really, really good look at the one you want to buy (mine missed the problem twice) then I would stay well clear.
 
Also would avoid the Monarch, I had the dressage rather than jump but it caused lots of issues and I have since heard very poor reviews of them and their build quality...
 
I had the K&M S series jump. I never felt close enough to my horse and I have never fallen off so much as when I was using that saddle. It just didn't seem to support me in the right place no matter where I moved the blocks to.

I upgraded it to the new Fairfax Jump. Amazing saddle, so so comfy, supportive and most importantly my horse loves it. We went and tried 9 different saddles including the Ideal you mentioned. He was noticeably different in the Fairfax, much looser and it really freed his shoulders up :)
 
I've got the K&M s series GP on my youngster in XW, which I think is the same tree as the K&M jump. Whilst it isn't pinching her, it is quite unstable despite the best efforts of a good saddler to reflock it, and we are actively looking for something better. The Impala Pro is one of the options that the saddler recommended, but they rarely come up s/h in the wider fittings, so may have to go new.
 
I have a Monarch jump which I really like to jump in, despite my long legs. I have changed it recently though as I felt the back panels were too small for him causing pressure points. I've not heard of the problems they have had though but they are a cheap saddle, so I guess you get what you pay for.
 
Oh dear, it really is the luck of the draw isn't it. I hated the impala AND mine was squint, it would never sit right on the horse despite multiple reflockings etc. I couldn't ride for toffee in it either (ended up with a Wow which I love!)
 
Don't have the jump but use a k&m gpd on my horse and he has big shoulders. Works well for him and when I get a jump saddle I will probably try to get a k&m one he just likes the brand (yay since they are cheap!).

Can you maybe 'rent' all 3 and see which works best on your horse? Some horses will like certain brands others will hate them. There are some places who will let you trial saddles before buying.
 
I have a K&m s-series jump. I really liked it and it helped me out when my girl did some 'interesting ' manoeuvres prior to being diagnosed with kissing spine. Sadly it doesn't fit her anymore so it may be for sale... x
 
I have the monarch jump I think they have brought out a newer version but I love mine. Have it on a big shouldered short back ID never had a problem with it and I hunt once / twice a week in it so it's on him for about 4 hours at a time feel very secure in it. I will say I don't think the leather is great quality but it wasn't an expensive saddle.
 
my loan horse had an ideal impala which i borrowed for a while but it wasnt comfortable for me. we are all different ..i love my albion dressage saddle but my friend hated it when she rode my horse...
 
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