Saddle for BE80

[Tayto]

I am considering aiming for BE80 with my mare - I don't intend to go any higher than 80 and would most likely only do 2 or 3 events in a season so with this in mind, what are peoples experiences/opinions with saddle requirements at this level?

I currently jump in a farrington gp saddle... I am jumping 70ish and it feels ok but I have concerns that it might not offer enough support as the height goes up... the knee block isnt huge and I do think I could be doing with a bit more support however as I am just starting out, maybe I just need to improve my security in the saddle.

At low level do people use specific jumping saddles or would a GP do the job?

Reason I ask is my mare is difficult to fit as she is really chunky and the farrington fits her so well - but when I bought it I had no intentions of doing BE80. Now I am thinking about it, I wonder if I should have held out for a jump saddle...

 

[ihatework]

If your saddle fits then just use your GP, save your saddle money for now and invest it in training

 

[TheMule]

I did a couple of seasons at Intermediate in a VSD, so straighter cut and less support than a GP. I also evented a client's horse in a dressage saddle.
You'll be fine doing 80cm!

 

[monte1]

I had a Farrington VSD for my previous horse, was the only saddle I had and did everything in it, dressage SJ and XC and competed up to BE90 schooling BE100 level.
must admit there was no real knee roll and it certainly made me keep my lower leg in place, but it was fine you would be fine in a GP i am sure!

 

[milliepops]

agree that you will be fine in a GP - i didn't get a jump saddle until i moved up to Novice BE If you have the money available then go for it, but if funds are tight, spending your cash on training would be the best plan

 

[mrsh2010]

I got a jump saddle, but that was because following knee surgery I needed the support for myself, plus his GP didn't fit anymore and I often hack in my dressage saddle.

It's not a necessity to have a jump saddle.

 

[Notimetoride]

Ive got a good friend who showjumped at Hickstead in a dressage saddle as it was the only saddle which would fit her horse. She never had any problems whatsoever.

 

[ester]

I've only ever had a VSD, which I have been happy with because those with jumps tend to whinge when I take them on long hacks .
Other people on this thread have done an awful lot more in theirs than I ever did but I certainly wouldn't have questioned jumping 80cm in, mine was a 90cm pony really . If it fits yours well I wouldn't worry.

 

[Lucyad]

Jump up to 90's in a VSD as it suits horse - horse and rider lack of skill and athleticism stops us going any higher, not saddle.

 

[HandBR]

My daughter has done everything in a Farrington's VSD as it's the only thing that fits her horse - jumped 90cm courses, cross-country etc etc. Her seat and lower leg are enviably secure though!

 

[rachk89]

You will be fine in a gp. I am gonna try one in a gpd so you are better off with a normal gp.

 

[PorkChop]

You certainly don't need a jumping saddle, however if you are not feeling secure enough in your GP then it might be worth considering.

I would invest in lots of jumping lessons, working on your security in the saddle, and then see how you feel.

Do Farrington not do a jumping saddle with the same tree that you currently have?

 

[Tayto]

Ace - thanks everyone, just the reassurance I needed! Defo would prefer to spend my money on lessons than a new saddle!

 

[ahml100]

I jump newcomers/BEnovice in a GP Cliff Barnsby APS with no problems

 

[jules9203]

If your saddle fits then just use your GP, save your saddle money for now and invest it in training

This. You don't need a dressage saddle and a jump saddle to do 80cm.

 

[sbloom]

You just need a saddle that suits you and allows you to ride with a shorter stirrup, and many GPs fulfill that. However, some have a rather deep seat and their blocks, whether medium or large, if they're in the wrong place they'll get in the way, and a combo of a high cantle and big blocks that are a little far back, will push you upwards out of the saddle. A flat seat allows you to compress your joints and slide your seat back a little, and the blocks need to be further forwards, or up, or to be smaller to give more room. A jump saddle gives all of that, but some GPs fulfill it too, and it depends on your build as well as your riding ability. Top close contact jump saddles have pretty small blocks, true XC saddles may be slightly bigger but tend to be more forward cut and may be even flatter in the seat!

 

[SKW]

you should be fine riding in whatever you're comfortable in at 80! Why not give it a try with the saddle that you already have, and if you then feel you would be more secure in a jump saddle you can upgrade later?

 

[MagicMelon]

I did up to CIC* in my regular WOW GP saddle with a pretty flat seat and only small blocks. Ive never had an event saddle. I had a dressage saddle at one point to go alongside my GP but that was as specialist as I ever got! I definately wouldnt consider it at the lower levels - I currently do BE90 on my mare in the same saddle.

 

[Bexx]

I event at 100 and have a dressage saddle and a gp. I feel fine in my gp both show jumping and cross country at this height. It fits me and my horse well so I see no point in buying a jumping saddle

 

[iknowmyvalue]

Competed up to BE100 and novice unaff dressage, training at BE Novice at home in an Albion GP, never had any problems with it and horse seemed more than happy! I would eventually like to get a dressage saddle, but currently funds don't allow it...

 

[LittleRooketRider]

As others have said your saddle will be more than fine

 

[hippocobamus]

You'll be absolutely fine in a GP. The most important thing is that it fits you and your horse, so that you can both crack on and perform to the best of your ability.

 

[Thorwood]

i used to jump 1.10 at home in a GP!

If you are looking to replace your saddle find one with changeable knee blocks that way you can change them between discipline!

 

[j1ffy]

A friend of mine did Boekelo 3* in a GP!

I'm happy jumping one of mine in his Farrington VSD, we've competed SJ up to 85 and schooled over bigger with no issues. I may try an unaffiliated event or two this year (transport permitting) and wouldn't hesitate to use the VSD for that.