Dressage v general purpose saddle?

Question

Which one is more suitable?

Basically I need a new saddle for my 15"2 thoroughbred. i have only had him 4 months and the tack has to go back to the last owner as it was only on loan.

I want to do novice dressage next year (only a bit though!) other wise I do general hacking and schooling. He is very well schooled and dressage is his thing. Neither he nor I are brilliant at jumping although i do try to do a bit every other week or so.

Considering I want to do dressage in shows next year - am i better buying a dressage saddle or a general purpose one?

I understand the difference between the two in conformation etc but not sure what effect a dressage saddles will have on the rest of my day- to- day riding and likewise what effect a general purpose one will have when i do come to do some competition work?

Your advice would be most appreciated.

Answer 1

I would go for a dressage saddle personally - especially if you can only afford one saddle and you want to do dressage in comp next year!

I dont find there is an awful lot of difference to normal riding (maybe a bit more for jumping!)

Answer 2

I would agree with the general purpose as well.

If look around you may luck into a Rembrandt GP saddle.  the company is no longer operating but they specialize in dressage saddles and their general saddle featured a deeper seat and higher knee rolls than other brands of GP's.  I am in love with mine.  If gives me a great position and a very secure seat.  I used it for jumping a fair deal with no problems too.  They're high quality and stand up beautifully to every day use and loads of trail riding, mine was used in endurance racing before I purchased it.  But the people who have them tend to keep them so they're harder to get now.  Other than that ty out different brands.  At all the basic levels of dressage you will see little or no difference in performance.

Answer 3

I'm afraid I disagree with the other answerer.  If you are only going to do novice competitions I think you'll find yourself better off with a GP saddle.

Dressage saddles are very specific and you will find it very hard to jump your horse in one.  Even if you do not plan to compete in jumping you should still give the horse the opportunity to do so at home so that he does not get stale and bored.

You say you've only had him 4 months, how do you know that you will enjoy competing in dressage (you say he enjoys it)?  You may get bored and then you're stuck with a specialist saddle!

At the lower levels most people will be competing in a GP saddle, it is only when you get up to the more advanced levels that you need to get the specialist equipment.

If it was up to me then I would get the GP saddle for sure.  If you really can't decide ask your riding instructor what they think.