Leathers for showing saddle

I have this issue too, my preferred option is "short thin ones" - but I have a hack and a riding horse so "normal" sized adults have to be able to ride them and let the leathers down to their length.

That doesn't really help does it?! Sorry :o
 
Suziq77 said:
I have this issue too, my preferred option is "short thin ones" - but I have a hack and a riding horse so "normal" sized adults have to be able to ride them and let the leathers down to their length.

That doesn't really help does it?! Sorry :o
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At least I know there are others who share my issue! I like the Jeffries show leathers, looks like the strap goes back in at the buckle and behind? I just don't want to end up with a load of bulk under my leg. Also, I'm 5'1 so I'll need short ones that will be ok for a judge too, I also have tiny size 3 feet :mad:

I don't know what stirrup size to go for either.
 
Kacey88 said:
At least I know there are others who share my issue! I like the Jeffries show leathers, looks like the strap goes back in at the buckle and behind? I just don't want to end up with a load of bulk under my leg. Also, I'm 5'1 so I'll need short ones that will be ok for a judge too, I also have tiny size 3 feet :mad:

I don't know what stirrup size to go for either.
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Well I'm 5' 3" and have size 4 feet so I more or less share your worries... I haven't seen the Jeffries leathers, might check them out. I don't know what mine are!

I just have standard adult irons, I tested all my kit for my riding horse (who is 15hh) by making my friend who is a 6' 3" man ride her - his feet fitted the stirrups, the leathers went down far enough and he didn't look too squashed in the saddle so we concluded that most judges should be ok.....

Some judges do bring their own leathers and irons to put on each saddle to save time adjusting stirrups too :D
 
Suziq77 said:
Well I'm 5' 3" and have size 4 feet so I more or less share your worries... I haven't seen the Jeffries leathers, might check them out. I don't know what mine are!

I just have standard adult irons, I tested all my kit for my riding horse (who is 15hh) by making my friend who is a 6' 3" man ride her - his feet fitted the stirrups, the leathers went down far enough and he didn't look too squashed in the saddle so we concluded that most judges should be ok.....

Some judges do bring their own leathers and irons to put on each saddle to save time adjusting stirrups too :D
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Thank you! Do you know why the Jeffries showing leathers only have sizes 36 and 48 inches? Is it because they have to be shorter to fit inside the leathers?
 
Fylde Saddlery do show leather work - their stirrup leathers are fine.

Also, Total Impact Equestrian (you can google them) has just started doing a fab range of leather wear - I saw the new bridles a couple of weeks ago and they are amazing - so may wel be worth asking them what they have in the way of stirrup leathers. They sell other ranges, but their own brand is way above the quality of all the off the peg bridles I have seen.
 
There are plenty of good quality leathers out there (we have some lovely ones at NP), I think the issue is the length. I can't imagine a male judge could ride in less than 54" leathers (of ours sizes, we do 48, 54 and 60) but to not have a flappy end for you you might want the 48s. I guess I would consider carrying a basic longer pair for a judge if you can't get on with a "dangly end" :). Or have a slot made by a saddle maker, neater than a loop if you're worried about how it will look.
 
If we are using longer leathers, then we simply pull the flappy bit in front of the leather (by the catch) and then fold it behind the leather (that is really hard to explain!) - that stops them from flapping about anywhere. If you keep it very high then you can't feel it at all.

Also, I have never had a judge put their own leathers on my horse in the ring! It would take forever if a judge was going to do that!
 
Not near my tack so can't say the length of mine but they are nothing special. I am not particularly tall but find that I put the leathers up for most judges and have never at least so far come near having them on the longest holes even for tall male judges.
 
FMM said:
Also, I have never had a judge put their own leathers on my horse in the ring! It would take forever if a judge was going to do that!
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I have :eek::D
To my horror the judge's legs didn't reach down below the saddle flaps! But I guess she was so short she had prepared for not having short enough stirrup leathers and brought 2 sets in with her, they swopped them onto saddles without actually checking if their own went short enough.....

Anyway, for all other judges my 54" leather and 4 3/4" stirrups have been ample.
Have no idea about not having a keeper for the leather - but what about the bates 'webber' style leathers although they may be a little unconventional for show classes
 
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