Saddles!

Queenbee

Queenbee

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Hi all,

Am in a bit of a quandary, I currently have a bates elevation saddle which I love and will not part with, it fits Ben and is very comfy, I love hacking in it and can see that it will be very handy in the future - it's very forward cut and secure. However, the fact that its very forward cut is a bit of a sticking point when I'm trying to school, particularly in trot... My lower leg isn't the strongest (I'm working on this) and because I damaged my back a fair while ago, my lower leg (especially my left one) tends to move forward:o

Now, I will need a new saddle for showing anyway, and I've just been window shopping over the last few days and It has got me thinking about dressage saddles, noting over the top, but something smart and that will help me with that wandering leg:rolleyes: My question is does anyone use a dressage saddle for showing... Could I get one that I can school in at home and show in... Would this pass muster in the ring? I would probably be looking at a bates again as I know the tree fits him nicely and from what I can see... Well they do gp, vsd, elevation, dressage... No 'show' saddle. So do you think I'd get away with this?

Showing wise, i would be looking at mainly ridden classes... Ridden hunter, coloured, but at a later date (not this year) I will be looking at WH too, I know that then I will probably need something a bit more forward cut but for this year... What does everyone think?
 
I'm in a similar quandry, and have showed Gully in our dressage saddle in the past. TBH, judges tend not to notice unless they have to sit in it, and then it often raises some remarks.

A lot of people often show in VSD's - they sound like a good option for you.

Happy New Year btw :)

Just looked and Bates do this: http://www.equestrianclearance.com/weatherbeeta/new_bates_vsd_saddle/index.html#gallery

and a couple here: http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/list/3365/horses-and-ponies.html?keyword=bates vsd saddle
 
Not at the top level- it will stick out like a sore thumb! Try a WH style which will have a knee roll but be straight cut.
 
pootleperkin said:
I'm in a similar quandry, and have showed Gully in our dressage saddle in the past. TBH, judges tend not to notice unless they have to sit in it, and then it often raises some remarks.

A lot of people often show in VSD's - they sound like a good option for you.

Happy New Year btw :)

Just looked and Bates do this: http://www.equestrianclearance.com/weatherbeeta/new_bates_vsd_saddle/index.html#gallery

and a couple here: http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/list/3365/horses-and-ponies.html?keyword=bates vsd saddle
Click to expand...

Happy new year... Yes I did see the vsd, I may try one out... As I say I'm just window shopping at the moment because I just can't seem to decide :(

shadowboy said:
Not at the top level- it will stick out like a sore thumb! Try a WH style which will have a knee roll but be straight cut.
Click to expand...

Yes you have a point, and we MAY be going to RC this year, if we do, I want my horse at least to look right:rolleyes: I like the WH style that have suede knee rolls, but what looks smartest in the ring? I've never really bothered to look closely, lol. Will I loose marks or be frowned upon using a WH in classes that do not require us to jump?
 
People do use them (some get the straps shortened to use a normal length girth), but I'd wonder what the judge would think riding in one in a Hunter class?

Have you looked at Fylde saddles?
 
I'd go for Something like a Fylde Ray or Fylde Mick - that would do for Hunter & WH.

If you want a saddle for both those classes, I'd avoid a dressage saddle, not the best design to jump in. A VSD may be a better all round saddle, although I do everything in my showing saddle!
 
I used to use a WH cut for my boy in flat classes - never had problems. Used at 3 counties show too. The key thing for showing is to have as much horse visible especially the shoulder. So find a style that flatters your boy. I currently show in a fylde haydon which is suede. Dressage saddles are fine for RC level if you can get the straps shortened, but honestly I've never seen one used at county level.
 
I also used the WH one for dressage untill he grew out of it!
howiedressage2012.jpg
 
Unlike most fitters a large % of what I fit is showing saddles and I would offer this advice: yes a showing saddle will look much better in the ring (and easier to find brown in showing saddles which is almost always better in the ring) and will sit you very nicely for dressage if it's the RIGHT showing saddle.

Showing saddles are designed to look like not too much saddle - not to stick out too far from the horse at any point, and that helps show the horse's shape off and keep a neat picture. It can go too far though....

Many show saddles have very thin panels, the flocked or foam bit - this not only means there isn't a lot of cushioning for the horse, or shock absorption for the rider, but it means two things relating to fitting them - there is little room for reflocking and sculpting to fit different shapes, and that thin panel at the back means many many of these ultra close contact saddles sit too low at the back and/or have the deepest part of the seat troo far back. I see the dents in horses back all the time caused by these, and they can take a while in the right saddle, with sheepskin and shims, for that muscle to strengthen and repair.

A nice moderately deep seated WH saddle will be more saddle than a pure showing saddle which is likely to be flatter and less knee roll. I fit several models of WH and all are pretty much as straight cut as a dressage saddle, but other companies' saddles will vary, some are more forwards cut.

A WH has a fraction further forward cut flap and usually a bigger knee block but do remember that if jumping in a very straight cut saddle some people will want small knee blocks so they can put their knees over the flaps when they have short stirrups.

Hope that helps a little in the minefield that is saddle purchasing!
 
I have a WH saddle that I use for everything it is fine for dressage and showing at RC level. I find it a bit straight cut for jumping but the saddle is a bit small for me. It came with the horse and her previous owners planned to show her, they show at county level with their other so I guess they thought it was suitable.
 
Thanks guys,

I've had a look at their website, and I actually prefer the fylde ideal working hunter.... I know it's cheaper but I actually prefer the look of it especially the knee roll... I don't like knee rolls with stitching running through the middle making 2 panels (if you get what I mean?). Has anyone tried or ridden in a fylde ideal?
 
I had an ideal ramsay for my arab they are lovely show saddles, it just didnt fit his back infact it made it very sore, they are close contact and as someone has already said the panels are thin so dont suit all horses, so I am showing in a dressage saddle with short straps this year it was the best option for him.

I would try a few different ones if you can they feel different to ride in I much prefer a dressage saddle i hack and do everything in mine, black country do a nice working hunter saddle.

Just saw sbloom post and what she says about showing saddles is exactly what happend to my horse he had muscle wastage and my saddle is now fitted with a shim numnah and is much better as its wider and not pinching the shoulder.
 
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