Is an Albion K2 the right saddle for affiliated SJ?

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Laureltree

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I need to upgrade from a GP to a jumping saddle now that we're aiming to jump affiliated this spring... exciting!!!

Sadly, my budget is v tight. I know that I like Albion saddles as i've always used them for dressage, and my horse used to have a Med-Wide albion dressage..

With this experience in mind, i've decided to start with an Albion k2 MW, and see how we get on...

But reading some old posts here, I'm concerned that the K2 isn't suitable for 'proper' show jumping, although I can't work out exactly why?!

My instructor wants me to get a Butet fitted, but I really don't have £2000 at the moment!

Can anyone share their experience of the K2 for showjumping?
 
I love my K2, its always kept me in the saddle!

I don't have experience of lots of different saddles, but I don't really think it has a massive impact your results, as long as its comfortable for both of you thats all that really matters. A £2000 saddle isn't going to win a jump off for you. If you get to the stage where you have the cash and want to go further then upgrade, but if you already like Albion saddles then get one. There is a lot of snobbery in this world and I think that K2s are just not the thing to be seen on anymore.

(Obviously saddles do make a difference, but my point is they are not the be all and end all, just like a flash expensive horse isn't going to guarantee a win, neither is a saddle)
 
My saddler has recommended one for me. He really rates them. I am looking for exactly the same as you! I am looking for a brown one, they seem to be hard to find (17.5"). Are you after brown or black?
 
stencilface said:
There is a lot of snobbery in this world and I think that K2s are just not the thing to be seen on anymore.

(Obviously saddles do make a difference, but my point is they are not the be all and end all, just like a flash expensive horse isn't going to guarantee a win, neither is a saddle)
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Stencilface you may have hit the nail on the head! Fashion is a weird thing, especially in the horse world. I'm glad to hear you love your k2!
 
Sprig said:
My saddler has recommended one for me. He really rates them. I am looking for exactly the same as you! I am looking for a brown one, they seem to be hard to find (17.5"). Are you after brown or black?
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They do pop up on ebay occasionally? I'm looking for black, although don't care too much really! Just something that fits!
 
I think your body shape impacts on your saddle choice. I have exceptionally long thighs and find the K2 almost impossible to be comfortable in. I have very flat, close contact saddles without any blocks. My saddle choice is polar opposite to a friend with much shorter legs.

Try to ride in one first if you can.
 
I love my K2 that much I had it made as wide as possible (already a MW) to fit my boy better as I didn't want to buy another! Its fine as long as I wear a really thin saddlecloth :D
 
CrazyMare said:
I think your body shape impacts on your saddle choice. I have exceptionally long thighs and find the K2 almost impossible to be comfortable in. I have very flat, close contact saddles without any blocks. My saddle choice is polar opposite to a friend with much shorter legs.

Try to ride in one first if you can.
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Yep, just us ones with the stumpy legs that like K2s :p

Hope your spider thighs don't impede your day too much ;) :)
 
I liked mine it was very secure the only problem I found is that I felt a bit too 'locked in' but this could be being a short 5'2 person on 17hh horses, I found I was more plopped on and not really in contact with the horse. Lovely saddle though just not for me
 
I also love K2s - have 3 of them. I have 2 x GPs and 1 x jump (for 3 different horses) - the 2 with the K2 GPs are because they both have massive shoulders and I found that the K2 jump just interfered too much - needless to say I jump affiliated in all of them and they are all very comfortable and keep me nice and secure! My jump is a MW too - I also struggled to get a 17.5" so in the end bought a 18" and have to say, I love it!
 
I love butet for myself but it has to be the tree which suits your horse first. I had a K2 jump which I didn't love as much but it fitted my horse properly at the time. Albinos always sell second hand as well.
 
I have one of the new style K2 jump saddles for one horse and a loxely by bliss monoflap for the other. They are very different saddles but each suits the horse and what I do with them. The K2 is a more old fashioned type saddle, it has a deeper seat, a proper knee roll rather then a little block and is a lot heavier. My mare prefers it to the close contact she had before, it's very comfy for hacking and hunting. I thought I wouldn't like jumping in it but honestly not noticed it once I've got going, other then the horse is making a better shape over fences! A lot of finding the right saddle is just finding what suits you and the horse. I love the Loxely too, although it's wool flocked I still feel very close to the horse although it did take me a little to trust that the little blocks would hold me on in and emergency. If the budget's tight then Kent and Masters saddles have improved a lot, there's a choice of trees, seats and flaps then they're wool flocked and have adjustable gullets so there's no excuse for it not fitting the horse. Not as smart as a K2 but you can get a custom fitted saddle new for the same money as a second hand Albion....
 
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