Are they as lush as they look?! I am really intrigued by the D1 dressage saddle, and am slightly bewildered by the amount of different jumping models they have. Any input welcome!
The jumping saddle are great. We have a Silver Star which is not close contact and so holds the rider in position a little more, and also has large knee and thigh blocks. Shame my son has outgrown it (he's now 5'10) and it needs a new home..!
They are one of the few "off the rack" saddles I've found that fit me and I would happily kill for one (so long as I could pick the victim) but can't see that happening anytime soon.
No, I haven't even sat in their dressage line, sorry. I was a bit surprised by how different the various jumping saddles felt, though - definitely something for everyone, vs some other makes that seem to make essentially the same saddle every time with minor adjustments.
It would be interesting to know if the jumping and dressage models correspond, as it were. The Appaloosa (what a bizarre choice for a name!!) worked best for me, with the Paris a reasonable alternative. My preference is for very flat saddles with small thigh blocks - very 'North American' of me - so certainly not everyone's preference.
What other makes are you looking at? What are you riding in now?
My dressage saddle is very adequate, would not change unless I found something that gave miraculous improvement in the horse (hence the interest in the d1, the video on their site is quite interesting - and thehorse obviously enjoyed it
).
For the last 10 years I've ridden in 3 different Stubbens. Well 2 have been exactly the same just different widths. In 2008 I borrowed a close contact xc saddle from Tolga (local, pretty prestigous make) and thought it helped me a lot position-wise. Remain to be convinced whether their saddles help the horses though. I might be wrong in this but I would like to stick to flocked panels really, and if you go with this option with Tolga you are talking the same price tags as Prestige anyway. Would reallt like to have a day trying out their different models.
FA2 and measles - thne ones I always notice are the arezzo, with the white on the cantle, but seems there are lots more! I am sure you will have no problem selling your son's saddle measles, how very inconsiderate of him growing though!
I think it was the arezzo, that they had in the yard, they were endorsed by Michel Robert? I was too poor at the time to have any 'fancy saddle aspirations.' Now I have fancy saddles and I am still poor.
I had a Prestige jump saddle, either Paris or Appaloosa, but it was lovely. Only part ex'd it when my horse got too wide for it. Very comfy, and good soft knee blocks but not huge.
I have a prestige optimax on one horse and a douge ( i think that whats its called? on the other. They are dressage saddles. I love them. The optimax is nicer though ( and more expensive- about £2700).
I got my optimax as new but second hand off the BD website for £600 inc P & P- bargain!
2 jumoing Meredith D - i love them (also have one for sale)
a small 16inch Joy Jumper saddle for my very short backed horse
Then i have an Optimax Dressage saddle which is amazing - i hate riding in dressage saddles but this is sooo comfy i love it !!!
I have also ridden in the D1 and it is amazing but i do prefer my optimax
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FA2 and measles - thne ones I always notice are the arezzo, with the white on the cantle, but seems there are lots more! I am sure you will have no problem selling your son's saddle measles, how very inconsiderate of him growing though!
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Very inconsiderate! Saddle is virtually new and I have lots of photos but am not sure where to advertise it..