Saddle fitting just outside Edinburgh, Lothians?

[applestroodle]

Looking for a saddle fitter, has anyone tried or used the national saddle centre? Many thanks

 

[JenTaz]

i've never heard of them lol and i live in edinburgh ive got phillip howard coming out on saturday from gala but he's expensive per mile so its better to split between a group theres 7 of us getting saddle fits and checks etc so its not going to cost us to much surely there are local tack shops that have saddle fitters i know the grange saddlery and stirlingshire saddlery do, never used either of them though

 

[nicnag]

I tend to go with Stirlingshire but I also have a friend who is a saddler and fitter who works freelance, depends on whether you just want a saddle checked and adjusted or whether you need/want a new one!

 

[applestroodle]

Thanks for replys, its a new saddle im looking for.

 

[PucciNPoni]

Another vote for Stirlingshire - they certainly do carry new saddles as well as second hand. I haven't ever heard of National Saddle Center tho....

 

[applestroodle]

http://www.nationalsaddlecentre.co.uk/about.asp

This is the website and i think its Cicely Thorne that does my area. cheers

 

[nicnag]

Oh right, I've had Cicely before, she is thorough but be prepared for a costly shock! I've never heard of anyone yet who has had to pay less than £1000 for a saddle before fitting etc, my budget wouldn't stretch that far at the time and she quoted me £1670 for an Albion saddle, I got Stirlingshire out instead and paid £20 to have a secondhand Ideal Grandee that i bought from a friend for £325 (like new), Stirlinghshire had exactly the same saddle in her car for me to try at £700 but told me to go with the one from a friend - she was a genuine as I could find and as thorough as Cicely in my opinion.

 

[posie_honey]

depends on your budget - but i get my saddles (i have jumping and dressage saddle from him) from andy sankey - made to measure and at a good price imho. (ie same price range as off peg jeffries etc)
he may come down that far if you ask nicely

 

[applestroodle]

Thanks everyone for your advice, a second hand one might do as he is only young so i think will change shape.

 

[Jingleballs]

Sankey makes lovely saddles but expensive for me.

Wouldn't touch Philip Howard or the The Grange having used the before - absolutely hopeless.

Heard mixed reviews about Stirlingshire.

I use Laura Simpson at amayzing saddlery - she makes her own or will check/adjust current saddles. She only stocks thorowgoods but they are nice if you want something adjustable.