Which saddle/s should I get?

[floradora09]

Basically, I've got a new horse which I shall hopefully have for the next 3/4 years. Atm I'm only doing little (80-85cm) stuff on him, but I really want to do lots of jumping and eventing. He's capable of doing PC open (BE novice), and I want to do at least PC novice/intermediate (BE intro/pre novice) with him. We need to get him a saddle, but do I:

-just get a GP and see how I get on with it, maybe change it for a more forward cut model if I need

-get an event/jumping saddle, and a (synthetic!) dressage saddle

? we don't want to spend over the odds, but he goes so much better in a dressage saddle on the flat, and also, i'm worried a GP wont be forward cut enough when we start doing bigger stuff?

Thanks!

 

[Sol]

get a saddler out, see what fits, try riding in it...?
I was always told if you're buying a saddle to jump in, you ought to be allowed to jump in it as part of the trial! Some saddlers will allow a weeks trial so you can see how you get on with the saddle?

I'd always opt for 2 saddles, but then I don't 'fit' GP saddles for either jumping or flat!

 

[Nash2]

I have a Saddle Company dressage saddle and I love it. They are leather on the top and serge underneath. They can be adjusted so I bought mine on ebay and then paid for someone to come out (you have to have someone qualified to do them) and he spend loads of time and adjusted it to my youngster for £60. They are not mega expensive if made to measure either. In my area it is the actual man who owns the company that comes out and I was really impressed with the service and the saddle - he wasn't snobby that I had bought it off ebay or anything - just said I had done well for the price - he must have spent 2 hours sorting it out for me. They do all different models.

 

[Scheherezade]

I would never have a GP, I think they do a bad job of both. If you really can't afford to save for 2 saddles, then opt for a VSS/VSD.