New Saddle - only £500 to spend

[Gorgeous George]

Having been riding in a friend's borrowed dressage saddle, I have realised how my own saddle has been hampering me, and was definately not help to stop me falling off! Suddenly I have felt so much more secure and it has really helped my confidence, so I would really like to get myself a new saddle but I'm not sure what to go for.

Although I do a lot of flatwork and dressage I do like to pop over some jumps too, so a dressage saddle isn't really going to work and on my budget I'll have trouble getting one saddle let alone 2! So do you think I will be able to find a GP saddle that has a deepish seat and good leg support or am I living in cloud cuckoo land?

I'm happy to consider 2nd hand and synthetic saddles - any ideas appreciated.

Thanks

 

[sandr]

Thorowgood T4 all the way for me

 

[minerva]

i just got an Albion legend 5000 ( second hand) for £500 and its just perfect - (for me!)

 

[Chumsmum]

Would highly recommend a VSD - puts me in a far better position for flatwork than my GP but was able to jump round a small XC course in it and it felt so secure - plus it's great for hacking too, I really love it! I have an Albion K2 VSD.

forgot to ask, what saddle do you have now?

 

[saddle]

Thorowgood definitely

 

[Gorgeous George]

When I got George I bought a 2nd hand old (but never used) jefferies GP that fits him nicely but really has no knee rolls to speak of and I v shallow seat. The dressage saddle I've been borrowing is a Bates Innova and the stuff of dreams at £1400!!

I was looking at the Thorowgood T6 GP as it looked like it had a nice deep seat and good knee rolls?

 

[icestationzebra]

If you like a big knee block and a deepish seat then the Albion K2 GP might suit you.... and funnily enough I have one going spare

 

[1275gta]

Try Heritage Saddlery I have just had one made for just over £500 and he will tweek to suit rider and is made to fit horse.

 

[Natch]

Bates do other dressage saddles, I think F's owner bought ours second hand for about that.

 

[spider]

My saddler reccommended a wintec vsd as coming in at under £500, but I haven't saved up enough yet!

 

[Forget_Me_Not]

Why don't you get a working hunter type saddle? Straight enough to allow his shoulder to move for dressage but sercure enough for jumping? I love mine (Farrington) and not a GP fan.

Personaly hate Thorowgood so would look for a second hand decent leather one.

 

[lucemoose]

GP - Generally Purposeless. Tend to put you in a naff position when you school, or not enough support to jump in. Depending on your saddler you could perhaps get 2 saddles but failing that a VSD

 

[dwi]

I have a Barnsby and its really comfy. It all depends on George though, I would ring your local saddlery and talk it through with them to see what they have that might suit him. For that budget I'd get a second hand leather one, rather than a synthetic, annoying that you have to clean it but much more comfy

 

[longtalltilly]

Would you consider an event saddle? although tbh it is quite straight cut!! oh and whjat size? I know of a 17 1/2 wide!

 

[myhorsefred]

How about a Wintec Isabel dressage saddle (there are a few on ebay). It puts you in the most amazing position. Deep seat, adjustable knee blocks, can change the gullet as George changes shape etc. I have found that if you normally take a 17 seat, you need to go for an 18 seat as its so deep! Fantastic saddle. You may have enough left to also buy a gp too. Think wintec isabel usually go for about £250 - 300 ish

PS - make sure its the isabel though, the others don't put you in such a great position!

 

[dieseldog]

Don't rule out not being able to buy 2 2nd hand saddles. I got a prestige dressage saddle for £150 and a Stubben jumping saddle for £400 so only just over your budget.

 

[lizzieuk1]

i have an albion selecta in black 18" medium wide fit for sale on ebay at the moment and my buy it now is £475 including all the knee rolls- ie dressage/gp/xc that way you could do everything with the one saddle!

 

[redmerl]

I have a Stubben jumping saddle whiched I picked up from a friend for £200, not particually comfortable to sit on, but very secure and horsey loves it.

I also have a wintec GP, which is rubbish, fits horsey well as he is full TB, but puts me in a horrible position. Hoping to up grade after xmas.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

I have a Barnsby VSD which is a straighter cut GP, so perfect for schooling, but still has enough knee to jump up to about 2'9". I paid £500 for mine as it was an ex-demo.

 

[Laafet]

Second here for the Wintec Isabell I picked mine up second hand for 120 pounds. They are out there you just have to look hard and ask around.

 

[tabithakat64]

My ponies Wintec 500 has a deep seat and moveable knee rolls. My horse has a Ideal event which also has quite a deep seat and large knee rolls. I'm sure you'll get a lovely saddle that will do the job

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

I had/have a black country which was sooooo comfy, unfort horse changed shape when moved to live out.

had to chage and chnged to WINTEC - they are very good in my opinion, was dubious at first but I like it, much lighter than leather aswell, bonus for humping and lumping and horse.

 

[Chumsmum]

Now I have a VSD I wouldn't go back to a WH for everyday use (though I do have a WH for sale

) - I think the VSD gives me much more support as a novice rider.

How about entering the competition to win the Barnsby Event saddle, get Admin to fiddle the draw so you win and then buy a secondhand dressage saddle