Saddle company vs Black Country!

SNORKEY

SNORKEY

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Help I'm between either a saddle company working hunter/ show saddle or a Black Country hartley. I know the Black Country is more expensive but when I look at the saddle company saddles, some of the second hand ones look wrinkled and quite cheap.
They look nice new though, also I've only sat in a saddle company GP and that was very hard on the bum!
Should I spend the extra and go for a black county?
Its for a piebald show cob so if anyone has any other recommendations then I'm all ears :)
 
I've had 3 black countries, can't reccomend them enough, can't advise on saddle company though as I've had no experience of them.
 
All our dressage saddles are Black Country, we love them! Never had any experience with saddle company though.
 
My saddle is a Black Country, currently had it it about 15years, really comfortable, it looks old (was second hand when I got it) but the leather hasn't wrinkled, just faded a bit around the cantle.
 
Go for Black Country they a fair superior saddle.

I've always be lead to believe SC are cheap , though I have not owned one myself

I do have a BC Richochet and I love it
 
There is absolutely no comparison. If you can afford the extra for Black Country then that is the saddle to buy.
 
Get the black country. I had an SC saddle made for one of mine and had to refuse it when it came for fitting reasons (they made it too long and still charged for the fitting!!). Later saw someone else's Black Country and it really is much better made.
 
That is not a direct or fair comparison. There are several different models and people are probably talking about the half leather /synthetic version which is much cheaper and should be compared to other synthetic saddles.

I have 2 full leather versions which are 8 years old and probably get cleaned twice a year and they still look good and get moderate use (3 or 4 times a week). They also live in the boot of my car. I also have a 2 year old buffalo leather version which looks brand new and is used 3 to 4 times a week for schooling/jumping and 2 x 2 hour hacks per week (although admittedly has not been used in 3 months as pony off work). It was not cleaned just chucked into my car and have just pulled it out for a little sit and it is perfect no mould or wrinkling etc.

I would pick the saddle that suits the horse and you the best; depending on the model you are looking at different trees panels etc. you would need a cob tree SC saddle and something less than 2 yrs old as the panel design changed and is better for cobs. You can get an older cob model and see if the back can be opened up ( I have done that on a couple).

You also have to weigh up the advantages of an adjustable tree. I have youngsters and injured horses who change rapidly so I need to be able to adjust the tree/flocking easily (I fit SC saddles so easy for me) however once my youngster stops growing I will be getting him a different jump saddle as I need more support. I will probably keep the dressage saddle as I don't need a particularly deep seat and it is a 16.5 so I wouldn't be able to sit in anything deeper.

eta: Black Country saddles are lovely and really have suited the hard to fit TBs that I have seen. Best thing is to try one out!
 
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I have two Black Country saddles and love them and so do ride judges!
I have never seen a SC saddle at county level, TBH.
Best about the Black Country is they're all custom made so you can choose the tree type with the panel from another saddle - for instance, my showing saddle is the Show Hunter on the GPD tree for a slightly deeper seat, and I chose Doeskin knees, thighs and seat. It's beautiful! And very supportive and comfy.
 
Not really comparable tbh. Like saying should I get a wintec or an Albion!

I have an SC, the half leather version, and it looks great after 16 months ridden in daily (been cleaned about twice!). I love the fact the tree is adjustable for my horse as he has changed shape a lot.

If I could afford a Black Country, I'd have one of them instead though!!!

The SC can be quite hard in the seat, but only noticeable to me after a long distance, and they do them foam injected now which is LOVELY.

For a low budget saddle, the SC is lovely, and is more comparable with Tgood/Kent and Masters/Wintec etc than something like a Black Country.
 
Just taken delivery of my second made to measure Black Country ... A GP to match my dressage saddle. (I have a chunky highland). Absolutely love them, went to the factory to be fitted personally and they could not have been more helpful. If you can stretch to the extra, get the BC every time. (Having said that, I have had no experience with the other brand...)
 
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