Ideal saddles, Impala, Gazelle or Springbok?

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Thistle

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Which do you have?

Why did you chose that model?

What sort of horse do you have - any special needs, big shoulders etc?

What size is it and what size in other saddles does your horse take.

Have you had modifications done or was it off the shelf?

Are you happy with it?

Do you feel it has improved your riding?

Given any choice would you chose the same again or would you go for a different model?




As you can guess we are possibly saddle shopping for W as I have sold a couple of saddles on ebay.
 
I had an impala, very comfy to ride in but I didnt feel it was a true jump saddle, felt miles away from my horse and was totally fixed in one position, meaning I couldnt put my stirrups up as short as I would have liked for XC. Wouldn't have another.
 
I have the Ideal 3500 Pro which is a single flap version of the Impala.

Why did you chose that model? I am long in the thigh and a lot of saddles do not fit me. It came in on budget and I wanted wool flocked with a single flap saddle.

What sort of horse do you have - any special needs, big shoulders etc? 17hh M/W TB who does have big shoulders and high wither but not hard to fit. It also fits 17.2hh KWPN who has it with a front riser as he is closer to a Medium.

What size is it and what size in other saddles does your horse take.
MW - My horse is very easy to fit. I was very lucky wrote to Ideal with my needs and they bought out a prototype for me to try.

Have you had modifications done or was it off the shelf?
I had the thigh blocks adjusted as they did not sit right for my legs when my stirrups were in XC length. Ideal will make any adjustments you want.

Are you happy with it? I love it!

Do you feel it has improved your riding?
Yes my lower leg has improved beyond a shadow of a doubt. I am always in the right position and my Sjing has massively improved as the seat and shape fits me. I can show you photos if you want! Me in other saddles and in that one.

Given any choice would you chose the same again or would you go for a different model? I would not change a thing. I love the colour and the horses all go very well in it.

Just want to edit and say that the tree of my saddle is based on the Impala but nothing else is remotely like it. They designed a saddle for pro rider as had nothing suitable in the range and then decided to produce it to market.
 
I had an Ideal Impala made to measure for Woody, waited 6 weeks for it and it was clear that it was totally the wrong type of saddle for him. The shoulder panles were about a good two inches away from the front of his shoulder and it was too low at the back. You could pratically see the whole world between the horse and the saddle. It is a LOT of saddle and I think it really would only be suitable for a cob like/very broad horse.
To ride in it was fine, but nothing special.
Tried the other Ideal jumps and they were not all that nice to ride in, but passable I guess.
 
Which do you have?
I have the Ideal Springbok.

Why did you chose that model?
I tried lots of different makes and models on the horse, could not ride to save my life in the Impala, it shot my lower leg out behind me, final choice was between Albion Kontact and Springbok and the Springbok was more comfy and £500 cheaper!!

What sort of horse do you have - any special needs, big shoulders etc?
A 16.2/3 IDxTB who normally fits off the peg M saddles.

What size is it and what size in other saddles does your horse take.
M, and he takes M in everything else.

Have you had modifications done or was it off the shelf?
Off the peg

Are you happy with it?
Love it, horse loves it.

Do you feel it has improved your riding?
Yes, much better lower leg and position over a fence

Given any choice would you chose the same again or would you go for a different model?
Same again unless I tried the pro (which wasn't out when I tried them) and prefered it!
 
Which do you have?

<font color="green"> Impala </font>

Why did you chose that model?

<font color="green"> I like Ideals anyway, and wanted a jump saddle I could hack/hunt in as well (ETA - also within budget
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)</font>

What sort of horse do you have - any special needs, big shoulders etc?

<font color="green"> cob x WB, 15hh, nothing unusual </font>

What size is it and what size in other saddles does your horse take

<font color="green"> MW. Fairly standard for my horse </font>

Have you had modifications done or was it off the shelf?

<font color="green"> off the peg - well, it started out a M tree, and I had it widened slightly as they didn't have a MW. Apparently it's quite easy to adjust them.
</font>
Are you happy with it?

<font color="green"> love it
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</font>

Do you feel it has improved your riding?

<font color="green">yes, before I got it I only had a deep seated GP for jumping, so it has helped enormously. When my dressage saddle was in the hospital I also did all my flat in the Impala, which made me concentrate a bit harder as it felt so different - I'm much better in my Dr saddle now! </font>

Given any choice would you chose the same again or would you go for a different model?

<font color="green"> I would like to try the single flap Pro if I was having another. Now the leather is softer (had it about 2 years or more now) I can feel the girth buckles under my leg, which is a bit annoying. However, I might find short girth for hacking etc a bit irritating. Ho hum... Love the saddle though </font>
 
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