People with WOW jump flaps

[ann-jen]

Does anyone have any pics of them sitting in them?
My new ones have just arrived and I'm sure its just a case of me getting used to them. Firstly compared to the GP ones they seem very small. I've had to have them on the backward slant as I have little short legs and in the forward slant my knee doesn't even hit the knee roll and in the normal cut I would of had to put my stirrups up quite a bit to get my knee in the right place. Don't get me wrong - the knee roll sits in exactly the right place for me but it means the flaps aren't forward cut at all! In fact they are straighter than the GP and look more like dressage flaps! I'm not sure this is a problem - I think its just that they look so different to what I'm used to that I'm worrying about nothing - in fact I'm not even sure what I'm worrying about LOL! Also my knee sits quite close to the front of the flap - probably just over the sausage (if you know what I mean) with my thigh neatly under the block on the top - does that sound about right? I'm used to having a lot more flap in front of my leg than that and so it just feels/looks a bit odd but I'm not sure its necessarily a problem as such and that's why I'd be interested to see pics of other people in theirs.
I haven't had a chance to have a jump in them as yet as Jenny's had to have a bit of time off with a physio problem and so it'll be into next week before I can try them for jumping.
What does everyone else find with theirs? In particular how much support does it give you when jumping - because the GP gave me none at all which is why I changed. I suppose I will find out for myself once I start jumping again. In the GP I found if I was jumping anything over 1m and Jenny jumped extravagently esp with her back end that my lower leg was slipping forward on landing and I'm hoping that won't be so much of a problem with the jump flaps.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

[CrazyMare]

Well I've never had a Wow BUT I jump in quite a straight cut WH saddle, and I have very long legs, I have barely any flap infront of my leg but find this saddle keeps me in position perfectly. A more correct looking saddle for jumping like my OH's Stubben jumping saddle does not help me in the slightest. I think its just what suits, I know lots of people who can't ride let alone jump in my saddle, but its just right for me, and I'll never sell it!!!

 

[seabiscuit]

Welcome to the world of people with short little legs trying to survive in jumping saddles !!

Right, I have tried all the wow jumping flaps....cant ride in any of them.
Ride best in the GP flaps. Dont be put of by the 'GP' label, I dont see how it could be any different from proper jumping flaps really.

 

[ann-jen]

I used to have a Stubben for a previous horse and I have to say it was brilliant for keeping me secure in the saddle. Unfortunately it didn't fit Jenny and she is extremely sensitive over her back and if she changes weight and the fit isn't quite right she lets you know quite strenuously which is why we went down the WOW route as its so adjustable. It was my instructor that suggested I needed more support from the saddle as I've started to jump bigger tracks as the GP flaps weren't really doing that. I tried the jump flaps at Bramham and loved them - I think I just need to get used to the fact that they're different - not necessarily wrong.

 

[ann-jen]

Haha - what I would give for a long slim pair of legs!
I've had my WOW for about 5 years now and when I got mine there really wasn't the choice there is now which is why i got the GPs. At the time I just played with unaffiliated SJ and dressage and they suited me just fine until I started BSJAing regularly and now they just aren't right. I tried a few different flaps on the mechanical horse at Bramham including some of the other GPs and the fixed block jumping seemed the best. I guess I just need to be patient while Jen recovers from her physio problem and then when I have a jump I will know for sure. I think what I really need to get into my head is that a jumping flap doesn't need to be forward cut if you've got gnome legs like me

 

[I_A_P]

I am actually now changing mine for xc flaps and a flat seat as mine are not foward enough for me!

 

[flyingfeet]

I'm 5ft 4" and have a flat seat wow with SJ flaps. I even had the calf blocks modified as they chopped into the back of my legs (though as you can see from pic, my legs go backwards not forwards!!)

I don't have a problem and haven't actually got the flaps in their most forward position. They are cut pretty much the same as a pessoa AMO which I used before. Hardest thing in show jumping for me is too sit and wait and not get too forward in the first place!

Close up of the saddle (sorry its not high quality!)

 

[flyingfeet]

Ohh my legs look stumpy close up... maybe I shouldn't have posted that!!!

 

[ann-jen]

Fran - your knee looks in a similar position to mine in your pic - the only difference is you have your flaps in a more forward position than mine.
Cotswold SJ - I think you are quite similar build to me - I'm 5'6" with short legs. Your saddle looks more like mine and I think it looks like my knee is in the right place compared to your shot. Plus I think your position looks great too.

I have problems folding too early and have to force myself to sit and wait - I still do the odd humdinger where I see a stupidly long stride and Jen sees a short one

My leg still seems to shoot forward on landing though after a big fence no matter what! I'm not sounding terribly good here am I? LOL. The worrying thing is my position is a lot better than it used to be so God knows what it was like before!

 

[misstipsy]

Oh the joys of WOW ownership! Don't get me wrong I love my WOW (so much I bought 2 the same one for each horse but don't tell the husband!) but sometimes it seems like an on going battle to get them perfect.
I am 5'10" with long legs, I have the fixed block GP with an extra 2" and mid / shallow seat. I can jump in this but when I ride in jump length my knee is over the front block on the flat although over the fence it is fine, if I ride longer then they are too long over the fences and I loose leg stability.
I tried the fixed block jump flaps with the extra 2" as I thought of treating myself for my 30th. I tried them on my first WOW with my gelding. He can buck and I mean buck but thankfully I seem to stay in the plate, that is until his first buck in the jump flaps and I was sailing through the air before I even knew about it, the first time in 4 years he had got me off. That put me off the jump flaps coupled with the fact that I couldn't get my stirrups any shorter than I can on my GP I gave up, I do need to sort it out though as my other horse is now jumping bigger and I want more security.
My other main problem is saddle stability, I am on the hunt for the perfect girth so if anyone knows of any I would be grateful of the advice. My WOW on my mare moves left and right so I am looking for more stability. I begun with a Wintec which is ok but not great, then tried a Kiefer neoprene this is even worse, currently trying a H girth which gives me the stability but she has started to object with teeth and hind legs when girthed up (this is something she does do but not when things are right), my next plan is to borrow a Devoucox Makila from a friend. If I HAVE to spend £150 ish on a girth then I will but I need to know it's the right girth for the money, it has to solve my problems and she needs to be happy.
Thanks

 

[ann-jen]

Jenny is a bit "girthy" in the WOW saddle - although oddly less so in the jump flaps to the GP for some reason - I wonder if they have improved the design since I got the GPs? Anyway the last time I spoke to my saddle fitter she said that wintec are bringing out a new girth that will have an air cushion to make it more comfy and it will also be breathable so she shouldn't get so sweaty under it. It'll be on the market in a few months time so I thought I'd give it a try.