Saddles- is it worth buying a dressage and jumping, or just get a GP?

floradora09

floradora09

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Going to see the saddler tomorrow to look saddles and discuss prices etc. The horse it's for I hope to have for the next 3-4 years or so, and want to event (probably BE100) and do PC teams stuff. My parents have said they will give me £800 max. for a saddle, but I can't decide if it would be best just to get a new GP, or have them buy me a new jumping saddle and I blow all of my money (about £400) on a synthetic dressage saddle? I have been riding in an Isabell and love it, but I can't decide whether to save my money and just get a GP- or blow it all on two?! I also need to get some XC boots at some point, and possibly a new bridle... (however these could be Xmas presents- and yes, I think ahead!!).

Thanks for the help everyone- may post on comp. riders? xxx :)
 
I like the GP saddles in principle, as I don't think having one 'pure dressage' and one 'pure jumping' saddle would meet the needs for most everyday riding :confused: Also it means you have a really good budget for one decent saddle, rather than trying to split it in order to fund two.

You probably need to consider the shape of your horse (for example a huge shoulder and big movement will mean a saddler is likely to turn you away from very forward cut styles) and you also need to think about the type of riding do you do most...

Personally I would get a GP saddle that is more inclined towards your preferred discipline (eg straighter cut if you prefer flatwork / dressage / showing or more forward cut for jumping) :)
 
Personally I would probably get a dressage and a jumping saddle - but to make the most of my budget I wouldn't buy new.

For £800 you can get two pretty nice second hand saddles - I would probably spend the larger part of the budget on a really good jumping saddle, something comfortable and secure - and then the rest on a reasonable dressage saddle.

Of course you could just get a GP, but I think £800 is plenty to get two separate good saddles, so why not really?
 
I've got a WOW with 2 sets of flaps...sj which are very full-on sj & dr which are very dr. It's just as good as having 2 saddles, except for 10 mins of faffing to change the flaps over.
 
i would get a dressage and a jumping saddle- i can't stand GPs as have never seen or sat in one that puts you in a good position for flatwork OR for jumping.

£800 is plenty of budget to get 2 decent saddles second hand.
 
i agree with millitiger. get both. £800 is plenty for two decent secondhand ones. i'm not sure i'd want the same seat for both dressage and jumping (which i presume the ones you change flaps o eg WOW and Selecta saddleshave), as i like a deep, round cantle for flat work and a shallower squared cantle for jumping.

get a decent fitter out, who comes recommended and try as many as you can out. you might find you don't like riding in a dressage saddle. or that you can't buy a jumping one 'off the peg' cos your knee pads need moving etc etc. you'll only know this is you try loads out. and hopefully you'll find something perfect. good luck! x
 
Cliqmo said:
You probably need to consider the shape of your horse (for example a huge shoulder and big movement will mean a saddler is likely to turn you away from very forward cut styles) and you also need to think about the type of riding do you do most...
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in theory, this shouldn't be the case. as long as the saddle is positioned correctly, and girthed corrected... most saddles have flexible points, and on the very forward cut saddle (eg jumping) the shoulder shouldn't be impeded by the saddle, even though the knee roll may cover some of the scapula. because they are designed to move/flex. different horse shapes suit different types/makes of saddle, but i'd hope OP could get a saddle fitter to fit a jumping saddle even if her horse has big shoulder/movement. if that makes sense? :confused:
 
As you wish to event I would highly recommend both. And liek previous posts said, soend most on the jumping saddle as more strain is put on your horse jumping then dressage.

I would hate to event in a GP as I don't feel as secure in one as I do in a jump saddle.

Good luck finding one and Thorowgood do a decent jumping saddle for a reasonable price as some jumping saddles are really expensive.
 
Personally I would get both. I am riding in a gp on my dressage mare and regretting not getting. Dressage as struggling getting legs in right position. But I do jump as well and my mare is odd shape so needs made to measure and couldn't afford both. Speak to ur sadder and try some out to make a better decision.
 
Kokopelli said:
As you wish to event I would highly recommend both. And liek previous posts said, soend most on the jumping saddle as more strain is put on your horse jumping then dressage.

I would hate to event in a GP as I don't feel as secure in one as I do in a jump saddle.

Good luck finding one and Thorowgood do a decent jumping saddle for a reasonable price as some jumping saddles are really expensive.
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Don't mean to hijack but plan to do the same and buy one of each, and I was planning on getting the Thorowgood T6 jumping saddle, is that the one you mean? Have you tried it? I've herd good things about thorowgood! :-)
 
I can see why you would want a dr and a jumping, I actually went the other way and got a nice GP but with velcro blocks so I use full knee rolls for dressage and just small blocks for jumping so that I can get my stirrups short enough. However I dont really xc much and think if I was BEing I would prob want a jump saddle.

clippy we did try more forward cut saddles on my boy and although in essence they would have fitted I was advised that for the height I was jumping he would be much happier in something a bit straighter.
 
Horsehead said:
Don't mean to hijack but plan to do the same and buy one of each, and I was planning on getting the Thorowgood T6 jumping saddle, is that the one you mean? Have you tried it? I've herd good things about thorowgood! :-)
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I think the T6 is the saddle made for throughbreds, I had mine on a high withered tb x wb. I have a feeling the jump saddle is the T7 but don't quoate me on that :p

But they are lovely saddles and cheap, and the synthetic material looks like leather which is even better. On my 148 we had the throwgood pony club saddle as it fitted brill :)
 
Interested in this thread as my saddler has suggested a GP and then decide whether or not I really want the expense of two saddles...

Having started jumping Dizz, I think I am going to go the route of two saddles - one for jumping and one for dressage. I want those knee rolls and that feeling of security :D And yes, if I were a better rider it wouldn't matter so much, but I'm not lol :p:cool::rolleyes::D

I've had some nice second hand saddles, in fact nicer than the expensive new saddle, so I'm happy to go that route :). I'll buy new if that is the only option, but have decided that if that's the case, it will be one saddle this year and one next year :D
 
I had the t6 jump saddle. It was good except had to sell it after a bit as didn't suit my ish as he had really wide front muscles. Then went with the gp t6. Comfy saddles tho and good value for money. Look really smart.
 
I have a GP and a dressage, both made for me and horse by the same guy. The GP is quite jump like anyway in that he gave me extra space in front where my knee always goes over the knee roll at jumping length. I love having two. It's also a bonus if they have to go in for adjustment, you are not completely without.
 
I think it can depend on your horse, and the brand of saddle as well. In an ideal world 2 saddles for each discipline would be fab, but if your budget dictates 1 saddle, then try a few different brands before you buy it.

I had an Albion K2 GP and while it was fine for flatwork and dressage I was not happy to jump in it, and nor was my instructor who rides my boy.

I've now got an Albion Jump saddle, which I now prefer for all hacking and jumping as my horse isn't the easiest to ride, and the jump saddle gives the rider a lot more security if he's leaping around.

I sat on my friends horse recently and she has an Ideal GP, and it was really comfy and felt more secure and very different to my Albion GP.
 
As others have said, if you want to BE event then go for 2 saddles. I have a Black Country dressage saddle and Albion K2 jump, both secondhand, came to a little more than your budget but not much :):)
 
Sorry to hijack this, but does anyone have any experience of a VSD saddle? I am wanting a saddle for my new mare - essentially for dressage, but I will do some gridwork with her to help her balance and to vary her routine. Is a VSD ok for this? I must point out that I will not be doing big jumps on her - just grids, so max 2'6"

I actually jump my other horse in his dressage saddle and it's great! However I do only jump over small fences and only once in a blue moon, so I couldn't justify anything other than a dressage saddle for him...
 
Rebelzmum said:
Sorry to hijack this, but does anyone have any experience of a VSD saddle? I am wanting a saddle for my new mare - essentially for dressage, but I will do some gridwork with her to help her balance and to vary her routine. Is a VSD ok for this? I must point out that I will not be doing big jumps on her - just grids, so max 2'6"

I actually jump my other horse in his dressage saddle and it's great! However I do only jump over small fences and only once in a blue moon, so I couldn't justify anything other than a dressage saddle for him...
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A lady at our yard has a VSD, because her horse has a big shoulder and she can't get a GP to fit right. She gets on very well with it. She doesn't jump but does hacking and dressage. I'm sure it would be fine for pole work.
 
I'd definitely go for a well-fitted second-hand dressage and jump saddles. There is no way I would want to xc in a GP saddle. They are called 'generally pointless' in all my horsey circles.....fine if you are wanting to do a 'bit' of each, but not for an eventing career.

You should be able to get decent second-hand saddles for about £500 each, or £600 for a jumping and £500 for a dressage.

Just absolutely make sure to get them properly fitted. What might look 'reasonable' to an eye that isn't looking properly can mask a bigger fitting problem.
 
If you're serious about the eventing I'd definitely go for both - I have just got 2 second hand saddles in fantastic condition for £800 - an ideal jessica dressage and bates caprilli jumping. I struggle to ride in a decent dressage position in a GP and don't find it secure enough for jumping.
 
Wow what a fantastic response! :D I'm really sure about the eventing, even if I don't go BE because of the price- I'll still do PC eventing and lots of each discipline to make it worth having two saddles. The saddler we're using only stocks new, but we're just going up to chat with them tomorrow about price etc, then a fitting has been booked for wednesday if we wish to continue. However I guess if it's too expensive to go new, I'll find a different 2nd hand saddler. I know the eventing's a little way off, but atm I'm doing lots of each discipline separately in preparation for eventing, as I think it'll really pay off if we've prepared well. Sounds like I need to be prepared to blow all my money! :'( haha! xxx
 
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