Jump saddle recommendations?

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Overgrown Pony

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Hey guys

My instructor has suggested I really should look into getting a jump saddle now that I'm doing bigger fences. My Thorowgood T4 GP is very comfy but it's got absolutely no support for jumping.

I will obviously get in a saddle fitter but does anyone have any recommendations for a jump saddle with nice big blocks to give me a bit of support jumping my big powerful jumping WB?

It's mainly for SJ but I also do a bit of XC.

Cheers
 
Overgrown Pony said:
Hey guys

My instructor has suggested I really should look into getting a jump saddle now that I'm doing bigger fences. My Thorowgood T4 GP is very comfy but it's got absolutely no support for jumping.

I will obviously get in a saddle fitter but does anyone have any recommendations for a jump saddle with nice big blocks to give me a bit of support jumping my big powerful jumping WB?

It's mainly for SJ but I also do a bit of XC.

Cheers
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I have a bates momentum, bates do two jumping saddles and the momentum is the eventing design, it's a really comfy saddle, really secure and also adjustable with adjustable knee blocks too. I've used it on my mw hunter build boy but also on my Friesian x tb who was finely built, it's never caused a problem with either of them. I can't rate it highly enough. Sadly I'm selling mine as I won't be jumping high enough to warrant it for a couple of years and want a working hunter for my boy. If you're interested, pm me and I can send you some pics, if not and you're looking for a brand new saddle... I really recommend the momentum.
 
It depends a lot on what you find secure. Some people really like big blocks to hold them in place, when others prefer the minimal possible there as it gives them more freedom to move with the horse.

My sister has a Albion Legend 5000 XC saddle which is used for her 3 horses. It's very flat seated with a low cantle, and very forward cut with almost no blocks. For her, it offers maximum security by allowing her the freedom to move and follow the horse. She also really likes pretty much every other brand that has a similar style to that, but these were the ones within her budget :D
 
I used to have an Albion K2 Jump which I loved and had good 'blockage' but after about a year I just wasn't finding it very comfortable. I bought a monoflap which I have to say is the comfiest jump saddle i've ever sat in! I wouldn't go back to double flap as I like the way theres nothing flapping underneath you and gives me more freedom to move as my horse has a very big jump. The Albion was very nice though so I'd recommend it if you like the feel of a saddle with blocks :)
 
Ask any friends with a jump saddle to have a sit (and jump if they will allow) on theirs to get an idea what you like. Ask your saddle fitter if they have any second hand ones that you can try. I did this earlier this year and found an Albion k2 jump saddle suited me and my thigh length
 
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The best thing you can do if you can is ride in some on other horses to see what types of saddles and features you like, after all you could get some great recommendations on here which won't fit your horse. I know I like a softer more minimal jump saddle, I hated the Albion K2 I bought when I knew nowt about jump saddles, but loved a used Prestige Paris D I bought next. Once you know whether you like a more forward cut, big blocks, high placed blocks, shallow seat, deep seat etc then you're in a position to brief a good fitter to bring some saddles that might suit you and him :)
 
i had a HDR which i thought was nice, but it was slightly too small for me and the knee blocks sort of sat under my knee which was quite uncomfortable! but was very secure and taught me to jump slightly longer and not have my stirrups up by my ears! Then traded it in for a K2 which suited em and horse so much better the difference in her jump was amazing! SOO secure! LOVE IT!

if i didnt have a k2 i would look for a monoflap as really liked the closeness of them - three that stuck out for me where the Southern Stars (the fredricks range) an Andrew Nicholson one (cant remember the brand but it had sort of quilted knee blocks :S) and the Mark Todd Charisma i think :) all quite secure but not with that much in the way of blocks but quite flat hard seats
 
I love my Saddle Company leather event saddle - nice big blocks, but flat-ish seat. I feel really secure in it, especially cross country - did XC in my old GP with no block fine, but this made such a difference especially with a horse prone to dirty stops. I also got it as an ex-demo saddle so was only £400 and only ever been sat in.

I do like the look of mono-flaps, but not ever having had the budget and having a tricky horse to fit (high withered and short-coupled), I've stuck with what fits him and feels secure for me!
 
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I have an Ideal Impala Pro. It is fabulous, and I find it really secure.

My horse is a little tricky to fit, I had my heart set on an Amerigo or Equipe but neither worked, Ideal do made to template. I had it made having only ever sat in Ideal Gp and Dressage saddles but I'm really pleased with it.

I was in a similar situation to you- and recently so was my friend. She bought a mono flap off ebay, had her saddler adjust it and she was shocked at the difference it gave her! However we both got lucky so probably not the "correct "advise
 
How big are you jumping? I was told recently that big blocks are OK if you are jumping up to 1.20, after that you need one with less blocks. I've just gone from an Ideal Springbok (monoflap) to a Prestige Arezzo (double flap with reasonable blocks) it has made a massive difference to me, my legs are in the right place and I have stopped doing my naughty lean forward and hover bad habit.
 
I love the arezzo d, I sat on one in the saddlery last week and it is soooo comfy. I hope it fits my horse as if it does we will be having one
 
I have a Prestige Paris D and a Barnsby Milton. Both very flat, very little in the way of blocks. The Barnsby is the 'bigger' saddle, in that the flaps are a little larger. I love both of them. I feel so secure.
 
I have a Black Country Wexford and totally love it, Its the best saddle Ive ever ridden in. I dont even bother with my dressage saddle anymore lol, I use the wexford for everything!
 
Thanks for all your replies guys! I doubt i'll ever get over 1m20 (currently up to 1m05).

Thanks for all your thoughts and ideas. What I need to do is either (or both) beg and borrow a try of all my chums jump saddles that fit him and get in a saddler that has a range for me to try.

I'm on it :)

x
 
If you like the one you have good why not try a Kent and Masters jump? They have big blocks and if you get on with a Thorowgood then you should like the K&M. I had one and it was ok but eventually outgrew it so to speak, i now have a Prestige Arezzo which transformed my riding.
Its well worth getting a good saddler up and try loads, my boy was quite clear on what he liked and i knew when i first sat in the saddle it was the right one.
 
Tried an Albion K2 event this afternoon. It fitted my horse well and he went really nicely in it. I really liked the big blocks. They came into play when I howked my stirrups right up to jump length and felt really supportive. At flatwork length (not overly long) the knee blocks weren't touching my leg. I take it that's normal?
 
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