Dover Circuit Elite saddle?

Question

So I'm thinking about getting a Dover Circuit Elite. I have heard mixed reviews about them. Some people say they are very comfortable and good quality. Others say that the dye comes off too easily and that the seat is hard. Is is good for jumping? Could it also be used to flat work and schooling? How well does it hold up? Is is comfortable? What kind of contact do you have with your horse? (and is it hard and bumpy because there is TOO MUCH contact?)

I found this used one and I'm thinking about getting it. I think it might be an older version, but it seems to have held up well. I am going get this saddle on trail before I buy it, just to see how it feels and what kind of condition it is in.

http://www.saddlesource.com/proddetail.asp?prod=C2078

Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

I have the Dover Circuit Elite Saddle, and personally, I LOVE IT! Mine is about 5 or 6 years old, still in absolute perfect condition. It is super comfortable, I have personally never had an issue with the dye or any color problems. I clean and soap mine regularly, and it stays in nice shape even though I sometimes ride in it at the beach and in the surf.

I use it to show in, I jump and do flat work and it suits me excellent. I also ride in an older stuben saddle and they feel similar to me. My Dover saddle is not 'hard' and bumpy, I feel good contact without feeling like I have a seat belt on.

Good luck!  

Answer 2

Personally, I have a Crosby for my horse, but A LOT of the other horses I ride have owners who have Dover Ciruits, and they are super comfortable and they seem to hold up well. You can certainly jump in them, show in them, trail and flat in them and I feel the amount of contact is just right. As for the problem with the dye, I have not experienced this but I have heard that the more you oil them, the longer they hold up and the nicer they look (when they are new they have a reddish tint to them that doesn't look as natural as darker leather) so lots of oil when you first get the saddle will help you in the long run. Overall, I would certainly reccomend a Dover Circuit saddle and think it's a great alternative to a more expensive english saddle.

Answer 3

I won a Circuit Elite XC. I love it! It's super comfortable and it's great for jumping and flat work. It takes oil nicely. The only thing that I didn't like is that it had a orangish hue to it when I first got it, but after a few oilings, the color looked better. Mine also came with a free Circuit bridle which I love as well. You can't beat the quality for the price!

Answer 4

I have the Circuit Elite saddle. It's about 5 or 6 years old. It is still in awesome shape, it oils beautifully. I have had many compliments on how comfortable my saddle is to ride in. It fits most horses I've tried it on, actually. I get a nice, clean contac, it's not too close but *just* close enough. I love it for jumping, it's very nicely cenetered for flatwork as well. Nice saddle, cheap too! I love mine!!