wow saddle/jessica saddle

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Malibu

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who has any of these, had both fitted for ru a while ago and they both fitted perfectly and i rode in both and really liked both so a little confused - which one to choose! i would like to know more about the wow, not seen many dressage peeps use them - its a dressage saddle i am getting. have anyone of you seen big improvments in your horse with the wow?
 
i have the jessica saddle and i like riding in it. have no idea about WOW alot of people on here use it, i just don't like the look of them, so don't want one
 
I think WOW is a fab concept and although I love the Ideal Jessica I would go for the WOW any day and will do as soon as I have the money/ sound horse
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I've got a WOW and its made a huge differance to my horse. My mare has had a few issues with saddle fit and a sore back in the past which caused some pretty unpleasant behaviour. I was advised to get a WOW saddle and she's never looked back. Her topline has gone from non-existent with a distinct dip in her neck in front of her withers to massive with a crest like a stallion. She has gone up several width fittings and needed the gullet widening to encompass her new physique! The best thing about these saddles is they can be adjusted to compensate for these changes although I doubt my mare is going to make any more dramatic changes from now on. The main key to fitting the saddle for my mare is it can be adjusted to fit her even though she has one shoulder blade slightly further back than the other. The main benefit for dressage I think is the flexible head in the tree and the fact the saddle has no points means the horse can use its shoulders more. There is more info on them on http://www.flair.uk.com/wow/wow%20tree.htm Quite a few people have them near me and I know Richard Davison competes on a WOW.
PS. I don't know if you are interested but I've posted some piccies of my Vizzie in the dog forum - the one I got from Murray.
 
I have used the WOW saddles since their 'birth' infact i was one of the testers. I am a 'dressage peep' and currently have 3 saddles on my horses that range in work from my 3yr old to my grand prix horse. On my yard many of my 'inmates' have the WOW with a variety of types on a variety of horses.
The Jessica is an exellent normal saddle and represents a good value saddle that is particularly good for 'ladies' as it seems to accomodate their sometimes wider pelvis.
The WOW cant really be compared it is not conventional in terms of ridgid trees and flexible trees etc. The lastest version of seat for the WOW is fab, not that i have ever had problems with the previous versions The good fitters are those who fit these saddles regularly and know and understand the effects of the types of fitting. They are very helpful and the company are exellent at 'after care' Just give First thought a look on info@firstthought.co.uk or give them a call 01227 831161. They are so adaptable and really are a saddle for life they adapt to the developmental changes in terms of muscle that occurs over time with training or weight loss with fitness. Hope that helps not meant to sound like a sales pitch its just i genuinely believe in them.
 
We have 2 wow saddles. I have to say that they have made huge differences to our horses way of going. Amazing saddles with the benefit of being fully adjustable and interchangeable.

I school, jump and hack in mine .... hubby events in his. They are so well balanced that it makes dressage a pleasure.

edited to say that if you are in the east/south east I would fully recommend Fiona Reddick as a WOW fitter. I think she goes as far north as Peterborough and will do London and Kent (as well as East Anglia itself). A lovely lady who took every care to get me a saddle that would restore my confidence after some nasty falls....and restore my horses soundness after years of saddle and back issues.
 
Have ridden in wow's for a long time now and love them. I'll never ever switch.

My current horse came to me with quite poor topline. He's very high withered and very short coupled with enormous, extravagent paces. Conventional saddles were, however, stiffling his movement quite a lot despite the fact that the last one he had was made to measure.

The wow has changed him for the better. The flair has allowed much better topline development. The lateral movement on the tree accomodates his huge shoulder movement and his paces under saddle now match his paces on the lunge or when free rather than the "toned down" version i used to get from him.

The saddles can be tweaked endlessly to ensure the fit is absolutly perfect for the horse, regardless of whether it gains condition / weight or loses it. This shouldnt be confused with the saddles with interchangeable front headplates (such as the wintecs) as this doesnt allow for a change over the width of the back.

The jessica is a lovely saddle. But for me the wow just outshines it in the technical specifications and thought that has gone into it's design. Its a very very good saddle when you want to ensure you're getting the absolute best that you can out of the horse

In terms of dressage riders using it.. as someone else mentioned, the most well known would be Richard Davison (and i know he really does use them and doesnt just endorse as I went to his yard for my fitting when he was having a few of his saddles altered slightly)
 
I must admit I tried a Jessica and liked it but I bought a wow and glad I did! Would never have anything else now on my horse but perhaps if I had a normal horse Id go for something cheaper, like an albion ultima
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i love my wow saddle had it for a few months now..i didnt like the look of them to start but they are now making them without the stitching on the flap-which may be what some people dislike..they are fab!!! i have both the dressage and jumping flaps.....they are soooo versatile i would def go for one of thoose !!!

any more info pm me
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I love my albion dressage saddle thank you!!
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Like the concept of the wow, but think there are alot more value for money saddles out there, and they suit some and not others!

Personally don't like the Jessicas, the knee blocks are in the wrong place for me, but I'm also very fussy and like "narrow" saddles. Best thing to do is play with LOADS and see which you get on with best, irrespective of others opinions. Dressage saddles are a very personal taste....
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yep i agree Kat B...try laods i hd saddle fitters out endlessly and couldnt find anything i liked....but when the wow fitter came out i knew that it was right for me and the horse!!
 
Definitely a WOW, because you can change everything on it and they allow the horse to move a lot better.

My friend has brought one a few months ago for affiliated dressage (she hopes to go up the levels) and it has changed her horse so much for the better. He has won 3 tests in a row because of it!

In the long term a WOW must be better.
 
I have a Jessica saddle and it's very comfy for me and fits my horse beautifully but luckily she is a 'standard' medium (if you get what I mean - most mediums fit her well). I have never used a wow saddle so unfortunately can't comment on them.
 
My lad has used a wow since september last year. Difference in his movement was dramatic. I now need to get it re-fitted as the muscle wastage around his wither and spine have improved beyond belief. We both love the saddle and I can honestly say I would not go back to a conventional saddle now. I do occasionally have to ride in a normal saddles (different horses) and find them uncomfortable compared to the Wow. The wow does take a little getting used to when you first sit on one but definitely worth the transition.
 
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I heard that Wow saddles have a tendency to be more comfortable for men than women due to the shape of the twist - does anyone have a view on that?

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It does seem that people with longer legs tend to find them more comfortable. That said my OH is 5 foot nothing and finds them very comfortable.
Wow do now do different seats for female riders so might be worth checking out the options available.
 
Ive sat on one on a stand, and do love the idea, but just felt they would feel too bulky on my boy.... but i'm 5'7 with legs of a 5' person!!
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