XC Saddle suggestions

Noodlejaffa

Noodlejaffa

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28 March 2006
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Edinburgh
www.ailsamactaggart.co.uk
Had a morning with the saddler getting all my lot checked. Pleased to report all saddles fitting (not as pleased as husband was though!
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However, was discussing the possibility of buying a xc saddle. I tried a couple that saddler had with him just to get a feel for them and I can really see why they would help. I feel very restricted in my current jumping saddle, especially when it comes to drop fences (and it's not my bum being too big - I asked him!!
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Does anyone have any particular recommendations for xc saddles?
 
what is your current jumping saddle?

i like 'barely there' saddles without a lot of padding or knee blocks etc.

i have a few pessoas, passiers- both which i love and suit my body shape and position.

have also ridden in some nice devoucoux saddles but they are quite pricey and i have heard quite a few horror stories about fittings going badly.
 
For this horse I have an Albion Selecta, which is great for dressage as get a good seat in it, but although can obviously change between dressage and jumping flaps, the seat is very much GP.

I'm not wanting to spend an absolute fortune i.e. devoucoux (and I too have heard horror stories!) but if I knew what kind of thing to look out for second hand then that would be good. Saddler seems to think horse is a good shape to fit and nothing terribly problematic (which must be the only thing about him that isn't problematic!!).
 
It depends what sort of saddle you like, but I used to have one of the older Albion XC saddles (the Legend 5000 I think) and that was fantastic for XC. It had a flat seat and huge knee rolls which made you feel very secure over the big hedges (I used to team chase). You can pick them up fairly cheaply on ebay, usually around the £300 to £400 mark.
 
I loved my K2, I didnt feel restricted but felt like it was a seatbelt ! You couldnt fall out of it ! ( well I never did, but then again I normally get off before it gets to falling off stage ) Ive got the devoucoux horror story t shirt, and was quite happy to go back to my K2 once I had finally given back the dev.
Albion have another jump saddle, cant remember its name but its also meant to be very nice.
 
I have a bates momentum and it is great. Also has changeable gullet and the cair system so can be easily adjusted when my horse changes shape. I use it for hunting and X-country and def wouldn't want to use anything else now.
 
Would suggest you really need to try some saddles, as different heights/builds of rider will suit different saddles, and your horses way of going may influence if needs more leg/quiet leg/bracing position!

Have you got facilities to try over xc fences at home so you can get saddler back with a selection, or hire a venue to try saddles to get real idea of feel over a drop fence.

I cannot ride comfortably in friends saddle despite only 1" difference in height, but my own saddle feels good to them.

Good luck - you have some time before the season starts to convince OH its an essential.
 
i vote for albion kontact- its got a flat seat but good kneww and thigh rolls. has saved my life several times
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pricey brand new but will hold its value
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Hey Mrs, I've got 2 Flyovers and I really like them. Not everyone likes them as there's very little to them. You're welcome to have a shot of one if you fancy it.

Stirlingshire's Patriot's are also very nice.
 
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