Kent and Masters as a jumping saddle

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Jesstickle

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Does anyone have one?

One has popped up on one of my local faceache groups and I just wondered what they are like. They aren't what I would usually go for ( I usually like super flat seats and no knee roll) but I really hate my GP and ideally I would like something adjustable to jump in to tide us over until she is a bit older and I have a spare £1000.

Opinions, good or bad welcome. Number one concern is whether it's going to crack me up the ass when I jump because I am getting truly sick of that from my GP :mad:
 
On a totally unrelated note, but while I'm thinking of it, are you close to Sandons (the one in Norfolk)? They usually have many saddles you can try on- think an entire wallful...

No experience with K&M saddle though. Still searching for an Albion Legend 5000 XC saddle, think we may be slightly too specific with it, lol!
 
Where in Norfolk is it Lolo?

Probably not but Nitty will travel and she actually is in Norfolk at the moment and will be for a couple more weeks.

I was actually thinking that before I fetch her home I might try and go schooling at FE if I can get an afternoon off work. Don't know if Al would want to share? Would probably be in a couple of weeks time I suppose.

ETS: will keep an eye open for one of your saddles whilst I'm on my own hunt :) What size?
 
sorry but i detested mine :( i also ended up with a T6 jumping saddle which is in essence the same cut, on a different horse, and have not got on with it either. If I were you id look for a 2nd hand, better quality saddle.
 
I love mine, event at 100 and never had it whack me up the bum which my old gp did a lot. Knee rolls aren't too ott either, I hate great big blocks. Adjustable gullet is useful too.
 
I've ridden in 2 and have go with NSN, I'm afraid. Okay-ish on the flat but grim to jump in. I guess it depends what you're used to and what suits you but I'd not have one for any kind of serious jumping.
 
Well, my original plan was to buy a Bates jumping saddle as she currently has a Wintec and they're more in the style of what I like but finding a 16.5 one second hand is proving tricky!

In terms of what I like, I have a Frank Baines cc on my big man which I love. In an ideal world I'd have a Butet but that's a bit out of my price range and more to the point a bit expensive for a 5yo who clearly isn't finished growing yet :eek:
 
I've got the K&M jump, and use if for XC, SJ (up to about 1m) and hacking. I like it - I didn't at first, but when I replaced the jumping knee blocks with normal GP ones (bates, I think) it got so much better. I know other people who have found the same - they just don't get on with the knee blocks the saddle comes with.
 
Hmm. Sounding like more of a no than a yes then...

Will have to keep up the search for this elusive miniature Bates then I guess.
 
I rode in one the other day and really didn't like it, I recently bought a Albion K2 but have yet to really ride properly in it. I absolutely love my Bates jump saddle and will keep hold of it til I find a horse to fit it! :o
 
I'm also not an Abion fan but love proper American/French style flat saddles (which is actually the generic term for the in North America) like Butet, Amerigo, Prestige etc. and have always got on well with Bates.

You might also try looking for an older Barnsby jump saddle, or even a newer model Whittaker as they do not seem to be super fashionable and can often be found relatively inexpensively.
 
TS- I keep looking for Barnsbys about the place but never find anything flat enough looking. Or I haven't yet anyway.

I've seen a couple of the Whittaker ones and you're right. They look right up my alley but I'm not sure about fit. I know that K&M and Wintec fit because the saddler had both on her when I bought this one.

I have found a 16.5 inch Bates but it is bright orange! Not sure if I can face borange or not. :eek:
 
They arent bad for what they are. I had (have) one and it did the job while he was growing and i didnt find it hindered me in anyway but i've got to the point where i outgrew it as well as he did. Im back in my Ideal Grandee which has a flatter seat which i like more and fits him better although it still has big blocks which ive realised make me grip with my knee more.
Its a shame your a bit far away as your welcome to borrow mine to give it a go, i want to sell them both to get one that fits us both rather than one that fits him more than me.
 
Ahh thanks Vam. That is nice of you, even though as you say I am far too far away :)

Is everything ok with you? Still all going well?
 
My K&M will do me fine until my horse stops growing. I hated it until I was told to shorten my stirrups - quite a few holes. Now my lower leg is secure and I've stopped falling off lol. It will certainly do the job for the next few years for me.
 
We tried the mono flap version today and were not massive fans, going to try the S series Jump tomorrow. It appeals as its adjustable and our mare is still changing shape. We currently have that elusive Albion 5000 xc and love it but is just doesnt fit the mare anymore.
 
OH has a GP version but it has big knee rolls (so I wonder if it is a VSS type). It is comfy, but I've never jumped in it as it's too big for me (18inch)
 
Jesstickle said:
Ahh thanks Vam. That is nice of you, even though as you say I am far too far away :)

Is everything ok with you? Still all going well?
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Things have been better in life to be honest but never mind. I keep thinking about doing an update as things on the horse front aren’t too bad but it will probably jinx it so will hold off for a while.:rolleyes:

Oh and thinking about it I agree about having the stirrups short, I thought it was me being generally rubbish and not able to ride properly but I don’t seem to have the same prob in the Ideal. Don’t get me wrong I prefer shorter to longer stirrups but I just couldn’t seem to get my leg round or keep it still unless they when proper jumping length rather than the hole or two longer I would have for flat work.
I think they are good saddles and do the job but as with all of them they just don’t suit some people. You might be better off getting good second hand one and part ex-ing them when needed, it’s what I'm going to do with my 2 I think.
Have you thought about Ideal? Only I think they are now a bit more adjustable although don’t quote me on that! Or one of the Passoa’s, the Legacy I think comes with a changeable gullet and are fairly flat in the seat I think.
 
I have the S-Series and I really can't seem to get on with it. I'm constantly changing my stirrup lengths, changing knee blocks position, taking them off, taking thigh blocks off, and yet no matter what I just can't get comfortable over a fence.

I've had it 2 years now. I didn't like it when I bought it, but it fitted my horse and he's gone through 4 or 5 different gullet widths so it's been very useful in that respect. But I still don't like it :(
 
V- sorry to hear things could be better. That's a bit naff!

Right, I think, on reflection, it isn't going to be for me! I don't think I've ever tried anyone's Ideal. I've never seen one that has made me think it looks just my sort of thing but perhaps I am missing something obvious. Which ones are meant to be the jump ones? They all look kind of GP-y to my eye :confused:
 
Jesstickle said:
V- sorry to hear things could be better. That's a bit naff!

Right, I think, on reflection, it isn't going to be for me! I don't think I've ever tried anyone's Ideal. I've never seen one that has made me think it looks just my sort of thing but perhaps I am missing something obvious. Which ones are meant to be the jump ones? They all look kind of GP-y to my eye :confused:
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I am lusting after the Impala 1450 at the moment, K is not convinced by Monoflaps or the Impala Pro would be good as well.
 
Here is the pic of an Ideal Impala.

IMAG0481.jpg


I think I have a similar saddle preferance to you, as I really like the Bates CC yet hate Albion K2. I found the Ideal good enough. I never thought wow, and if had all the choice of every saddle in the world I wouldn't choose it, but I much prefere it to Albion! It was functional, and kept me reasonable secure, but I didn't jump any fences over 1m in it as the horse broke!
 
BeckyD said:
I have the S-Series and I really can't seem to get on with it. I'm constantly changing my stirrup lengths, changing knee blocks position, taking them off, taking thigh blocks off, and yet no matter what I just can't get comfortable over a fence.

I've had it 2 years now. I didn't like it when I bought it, but it fitted my horse and he's gone through 4 or 5 different gullet widths so it's been very useful in that respect. But I still don't like it :(
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The two people I have taught with them had almost identical experiences. Tried all sorts of permutations but just never got a secure fit.

I know jump saddles have to fit the horse but I really think it's important that the rider be at least safe and secure. We often forget that the most important piece of equipment relative to the horse is the rider!


I've liked the Ideals I've seen/sat in BUT I do find that many of them are heavily "customised" in that they were ordered originally very specified to the horse and rider. Great if it works, very difficult if you are looking for a used one. My experience is you can't really say "an Ideal" in the way that you can say "a Butet" and be relatively sure if you fit one you will fit another similar one. Obviously stuffing can be tweaked but that makes it quite tricky to try it out!

What about Black Country saddles? I don't love love them but have ridden in two and they were decent enough and they seem to have fallen out of fashion, which should make the price reasonable. Bit the same problem as the Ideal, in that many are not "stock" but worth a look maybe? Or does it have to be adjustable?
 
im about to order a black country wexford, tried someone elses and loved it!

ive had a good experience with saddles direct in the past if you wanted to look 2nd hand
 
cm- thanks for that :) That looks bearable but not like something I would necessarily choose.

TS- It isn't essential that it's adjustable. I am old enough to remember the days before they existed and chopping and changing and it wasn't that bad. I don't think. It was a while ago :o

NSN- there is one on saddles direct I am eyeing. It is exactly the same as my gelding's but mare is currently in a MW so not convinced a M will fit her. Might have it to mine to try and see if it's anywhere close as I don't often find them second hand and I love my saddle! He is in an 18'' sadly so I can't just steal his for her.

http://www.saddlesdirect.co.uk/Jump-and-Event-Saddles/48968275913786782/product_details.html

Will look at Black Country ones.

Thanks for all the help guys. Much appreciated :)
 
I love mine! Moveable knee and thigh blocks so you can remove them if you really want! Feel so secure and like the fact that it has an adjustable gullet :)
 
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