Saddle Woes - Frank Baines, Albion Or Amerigo?!

[FreyaB]

Soooooo, the little ginger ninja needs a new saddle due to the fact he's gotten rounder (in a good way) since he had his fitted and I also I strongly dislike his current saddle (Albion K2 GP). So I was hoping for some experience with the following saddles.

The Albion doesn't do anything for your position and really locks you in but it fitted him quite well which was a godsend after having awfully fitted saddles chucked on him by YM's saddle fitter which I felt like I was talked into and meant he had a sore back for while and was very, very tight thought his shoulder and tense through his back. Now, he's starting to revert to that tense, stiff trot and though saddle fits okay, it's not brilliant and I'd like something that fits him really well!

He's not super easy to fit, medium, long-ish wither, Quite flat backed and not very uphill so I would need a saddle that doesn't make you feel like your coming out the front of it but my Albion feels very built up and I would like something slightly more simple and less block, preferably a monoflap but not super forward cut because I've been told he has quite a reasonable shoulder! Obviously his comfort is my priority but something that's comfortable for me too would be great. Would prefer a monoflap as feel miles away from him in the Albion. I like the following saddles but have heard that Albions & Amerigo's are like chalk & cheese so am curious as to what kind of horse they seem to fit? And haven't heard much about Frank Baines. What I'm going to do is have a template of his back made to send to saddle companies then have it checked by a fitter & physio so I'm not just going to try buy blind & I have talked to my fitter about styles that suit him aswell but she has limited stock and usually stock Ideals & Prestige but haven't really found anything to fit him so thought I'd go outside her to find something. Haven't heard much about Barnsby apart from the fact they are good for both horse & rider!

Amerigo DJ Jumping - Pinerolo
http://www.daviddyersaddles.co.uk/product-10846.htm

Frank Baines Enigma Mono Flap Saddle
http://www.frankbaines.com/page.asp?id=24&productid=74&Enigma-Mono-Flap-Saddle

Albion Kontact Lite
http://www.daviddyersaddles.co.uk/product-10590.htm

Barnsby Schockemöhle Jump Saddle
http://www.daviddyersaddles.co.uk/product-10898.htm

Barnsby Xtreem XC
http://www.daviddyersaddles.co.uk/product-10888.htm

Ideal Springbok 350 Jump Saddle
http://www.daviddyersaddles.co.uk/product-10642.htm

Sorry for the mini saga!

Fresh cookies & cold lemonade for anyone who makes it this far!

 

[sbloom]

Can you not find another fitter covering your area who could bring out a range of saddles? If you tell them you don't want anything too blocky they should be able to help, they should ask you your preference as well as ask for at least a description of your horse. I always ask for photos to really help me narrow down stock choices. I don't fit any of those brands so can't help further, sorry.

 

[FreyaB]

Can you not find another fitter covering your area who could bring out a range of saddles? If you tell them you don't want anything too blocky they should be able to help, they should ask you your preference as well as ask for at least a description of your horse. I always ask for photos to really help me narrow down stock choices. I don't fit any of those brands so can't help further, sorry.

I was wondering whether anyone had heard of Antionia Wills as she's nearest to me?

 

[sbloom]

I think she has a good rep.

 

[Squeak]

The Amerigo is in a different league to the Baines and Albion but if you're spending that much then you might as well look at Devoucouxs which are IMO the best saddles out there and they can fit/ make them for any horse and any rider.

 

[sbloom]

I'd personally disagree with respect, read the very mixed reviews on Devoucoux saddles and their fitters. Although I prefer the saddles I fit I have no problem with the others, correctly fitted.