New Jump Saddle - HELP!!

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Moosegoose20

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I’ve got a rising 8yr old 16.3hh warmblood showjumper (tall but not at all chunky.. pic attached for reference 😅) that I’ve been riding in an old Exselle jump saddle that I’ve had for years and has literally fitted everything (built on an ideal impala tree I believe). It’s super comfy with big knee/thigh/calf blocks and feels like you’re riding in an armchair with no chance of you falling out of it.. problem is it’s way too big for him (17.5 MW.. although has been narrowed as much as our saddle fitter dared without squashing it). It’s padded out to the max and has worked whilst large baby horse has been growing and we’ve been jumping up the baby levels but I’ve finally admitted defeat as he’s just got taller rather than wider.. we’re ready for a step up to 1.20’s but feel like the current saddle is interfering with him too much.. as much as I love it 🤦‍♀️

He has fairly high withers and a large Scapula so we need something that gives enough space to the shoulder.. an Albion K2 or K4 was recommended by our fitter.. I loved the sound of the K4, ordered it and the horse goes great in it (can really feel him moving through his shoulder more and lifting his front end) but I HATE jumping in it.. don’t feel secure in the slightest and with his bigger movement its made me completely forget how to ride (concentrating more on trying to keep my normally pretty still lower leg from flying around everywhere rather than riding the horse). Our saddle fitter said our current 17.5in saddle is too big for me but I felt like the 17in Albion was way too small for my legs (5ft8 size 10 but with very long hip to knee).

Soooo we need something that’s a dual flap (quite often out competing on our own and the chances of me being put on the floor trying to do a Monoflap girth up is pretty high), that has a nice secure seat and leg but gives enough space in the shoulder for the horse.

Looking for any ideas/advice/recommendations for either a brand new or second hand saddle (budget of absolute max £3k)… the amount of options is stressing me out!
 

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Kieffer are worth looking at.
They do tree a adjustable too.
Only snag with that is finding someone that adjust it, may be different these days but used to be done by heat and not many could do it.
 
Sounds like you need a saddle fitter who can bring a bunch of different saddles for you to try. Else you may just shell out £3k for another saddle you don’t like.
 
Which saddle is in the photo? If it's the Exselle do you have one of how you sit in the Albion? It is allowing you to drop into anterior tilt which isn't ideal, see the hollow in your back? But may feel very secure in other ways of course, and we often get used to a certain feel in a saddle.

Have a look at https://stephaniebloomsaddlefitter.co.uk/blog-and-resources/the-search-for-knee-room which is based on the latest work being done on fitting the rider. The starting point should ideally be seat shape working for your pelvic shape, then fitting the long thigh becomes easier.
 
I am a similar size and shape to you and have a childeric saddle which fitted a challenging horse I had (wither, but not a narrow horse overall) and now fits pretty much anything I put it on reasonably well - previous to that I had a Prestige x meredith which I also loved and felt very secure in.
Different saddles feel different on different horses and I do think you need to invest the time in riding in as many as you can. We are lucky here in NI as one of the biggest new and second hand saddlers has an arena at their shop and you ca bring your horse and try plenty. You may need to get numerous 'fitters' out from brands and try plenty, though I know thats a bit of a pain
 
I would ring up ideal - look to get as close a spec to the Excelle but which fits the horse. You can’t fight the saddle - though did you not realise this when trying it? I realise in a few minutes of trialling a saddle if it’s going to work or not?
 
I have the ideal T&T jump saddle (and now the dressage too) and I love it, it's super comfy. It has an adjustable gullet and my understanding is that the gullets bars slightly bend back on themselves rather than being the long bridge that you usually see, which a) gives more flexibility for the saddle to move under that point but also b) gives room for shoulders to be free. Mine cost me £1895 or £1995 new from memory
 
I would agree with taking a look at the Ideals again, they have a lot of different saddles that could work. You could also take a look at Prestige, not the cheapest but again, great range of saddles and options for the rider with flap projections, seat depth, twist etc
I also have a long hip to knee and ended up with a Prestige Arezzo, lovely secure saddle but never interfered with either horse I used it with. Its adjustable (heat not gullet change) and its been a great investment as its allowed adjustments through the years. (looks like they don't make that saddle anymore which is a shame as it was marketed as saddle to help with your position and keep you stable)
Otherwise, you will need to get someone out with different saddles and go from there.
 
I'm 5"9 and size 10 too with long legs but a short torso, and also have a dodgy left leg due to previous sports injuries as a teenager (actually not horse related for once). I have a Bates Advanta in 17.5" (I think anyway) it's comfortable and I feel secure in it without it having massive restricting leg blocks. Also has the bonus of it being adjustable, however is a monoflap so that might not suit, not sure
 
I too had the exselle (and really regret selling it now that I have a new horse1), but again it was long and too wide for my horse at the time (Exselle was a 17.5 MW and new saddle was a 17 MN). I ended up going with the Ideal T&T and it gave an incredibly similar feel, although because I'm 5 ft 7 and relatively short hip/knee (and I didn't know they could make the flap shorter!), my knees didn't touch the knee blocks.
My new horse has the Albion K2 jump (newer model) and it's really taking a lot of getting used to!
 
Thanks everyone, certainly gives me a lot to think about. I’m planning on trying to cope with the current until after Blue Chip (rather than upset us both further after last weekends attempt at competing in the K4) and then take a trip up to Patrick Wilkinsons… hopefully with 400+ saddles there will be one that works.

The annoying thing is the K4 feels beautiful at home on the flat for both of us (certainly different to his current but workable). When I tried it I did pop over a few small fences and didn’t have a problem, it’s just as soon as the jumps go up and he’s on his toes in a more stressful environment. Lesson learnt though! 🤦‍♀️
 
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