Which dressage saddle - Albion V Jaguar???

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Muddyboots

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I am watching two saddles on ebay. I've been looking for a brown dressage saddle for a while (on ebay, saddles direct and with local saddlers) and now there are two I like, both ending in two days time.

The first one to end is a Jaguar XKC (item number 230826267797). It is on for £350 at the moment with one bid.

The other is an Albion K2 (item number 330766608612), no bids, starting at £450.

My budget is not really anymore than £450. It would be really annoying if I didn't bid on the Jaguar then the Albion went over budget, but that is the joys of ebay!

Both are miles away so going to have a look is not an option.

Never ridden in either type of saddle so I am taking a risk. If it doesn't work out I will put it back on ebay and or see how much a local saddler will part ex for - but I am willing to take the risk!

My instructor has not had any experience of the Jaguars but rates the Albion. I have a K2 jump which I love and it is a medium so the dressage saddle has a good chance of fitting!

It would be really helpful to know your views on both saddles and, it you were in my situation, which one you would favour!

Thank you for your help....
 
I would have thought they would fit different types of horse as the trees aren't very similar in the 2 brands?

I hate Albions and loved my Jaguar dressage saddle but pretty impossible to advise which one to bid on as saddles are so personal to horse and rider :)
 
My horse was bought with a made to measure Jaguar dressage saddle and bridle. Beautiful leather which is as good now as it was 8 years ago.

The saddle puts you in the right place and keeps you there, the only negative I have for the Jaguar is it's weight. It is massively heavy and lifting it onto a 17.2 is hardwork.

A friend has an Albion and loves it, half the weight of my saddle. The Albion was made to measure and took several tweeks over a number of weeks before the horse went well in it.

I would not buy a saddle on ebay unless the saddle could be moved on again quickly. Fitting is key to the horses comfort and performance and I would not have the confidence to bypass a professional saddler/fitter.
 
Love my Jaguar , hated mum`s Albion! I think the Albion has a wider seat which didn't suit me, the Jaguar seat is quite narrow but I prefer that.

Jaguar looks as good as new and is coming on for being 3 years old now, lovely soft leather as well and very grippy :)

However if you know your jump saddle fits in a medium then fit wise it might be best to stick with what you know!
 
Cant praise Albion saddles highly enough! My husband has his Grand Prix dressage horse in one and loves it so much we have them now for all the youngsters too!:) :)
 
I had an albion and just swapped to a jaguar, I prefer it for dressage as I feel it gives me a better position and seat but wouldn't be that upset to go back to the albion.

Personal preference I suppose but they are both nice saddles.
 
Both are completly different tree types and fit different types of horses.

The Jaguar definately wouldnt fit if your horse already fits an Albion
 
Have just purchased an Albion jump saddle and love it! However, as others have said it is all down to personal preference. If your horse is already going well in an Albion and you know it fits I'd stick with the Albion. :)
 
Thanks guys! Some really useful comments!

I wished the ALbion ended frist. I have been looking for a while and worried that if the albion goes over budget and I end up with niether!

One more question...what shape horse would you cay that the Jaguar will fit?

I would like to get my jump saddle checked by a saddler so what ever i end up with, i will get a saddler out to check over both before riding in it!

Thanks again!
 
I think the jaguar's are "expected" to fit a more TB horse.

I tried one for a IDx and the saddler took one look and said it would never fit, but once on the horse fit like a glove so it is hard to tell!

I love my Jaguar, but if I was buying off ebay would only risk a tree that I knew had a good chance of fitting.

Happy Bidding!!!
 
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