I need some saddle ideas?

Question

Could someone please give me LINKS to specific saddles that you think would be good for me? I need a saddle that I can use for jumping and flat work. I have long legs, so a longer knee roll would be good. I am starting to do some low level dressage and jump about 2' 6" but will jump higher in the near future. I also ride trails and do shows. I would like a saddle with a easy change gullet system, because I am leasing a horse, and when it comes time to buy a horse I would like to be able to keep this saddle. But a regular tree is okay too. I can't spend more than about $800, but a used saddle for that price is fine too. Please give me specific saddles, not just brands. There are just too many to choose from! Best Answer to the person who can give me the most links to saddles (that fit my search!)

Thank you and good luck!

Answer 1

Pessoa Gen X is a close contact saddle that can be ordered with longer flaps if you want. Anyway, I think a close contact would be perfect for you. There's some great used saddles on saddlesource.com and marystack.com. Dover saddlery has a sale for the Pessoa Gen X saddles. I believe they are priced at $899 at the moment. At least that's what they're going for in the sale catalog. HDR saddles have some pretty decent ratings as well. The best thing to do is to test ride a saddle. Most online tack stores allow this type of thing.

Answer 2

There are a lot of excellent saddles available in the market. It's good you're open to a used saddle.

I've had my Stubben Siegfreid for over 25 years (got it used).  From the comments of several others on Y!, I'm not alone in HIGHLY recommending it.

A great saddle isn't guaranteed by how expensive it is.  If you can, ride it before you buy it.  Good luck

Answer 3

Well first off, if you like the Siegfried saddle, who cares if this other girl has one! I totally know what its like you are worried that she might think you are copying her or whatever, but if you like it and it works for you, than do it. Don't miss out on a great saddle just because some other prissy girl at your barn might give you a hard time.

How tall are you? A 17.5 in seat is quite large. I ride in a 17 in and have never had a problem. Too large of a saddle seat can effect your riding performance.

Also, as others mentioned, be wary of synthetic saddles, I have some that are great, they are comfortable and they fit my horses, but re-sale is horrible, and they just are not the same quality as some of the leather brands out there. They are more suited for schooling as a second saddle, or as I use mine for when I go riding on the beach and I don't want to mess up my show saddle.

I know its a little bit above what you are looking for, but I LOVE this saddle:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/collegiate-...

"Now with Easy-Change® Gullet System for greater adjustability. Collegiate’s next generation of its popular original version. This latest model features a medium deep seat and generous flaps suited for all types of riding and stirrup lengths. Easy-Change® Gullet System provides the best fit for your horse. Dark havana leather instantly looks good. Leather on the seat and knee pads has some grip for security. Pencil knee blocks."

This is my saddle, I really like it. I've had it for over 5 or 6 years now, its still beautiful and in wonderful shape. Sadly, it doesn't fit my new horse, but I'm still keeping it because I love it so much. Its a wonderful show saddle!

http://www.doversaddlery.com/dovers-circ...

This one might be a good fit because its an 'eventer' saddle so its sort of suited to fit all disciplines

http://www.doversaddlery.com/dover%92s-c...

Dover’s Circuit Eventer Saddle in Dark Havana

Deeper seat for multi-purpose riding. With FREE saddle cover! Suitable for eventing, fox hunting, trail riding or any all-purpose discipline. The deep seat, made with special stretch leather, offers extra security while jumping and the proper balance for flatwork. Padded flaps with a concealed knee roll.

Of course my favorite saddles are the Bates saddles. No way I can afford one yet, but they are wonderful to ride in, my old trainer had one and you just melted into the seats.

Well, good luck!

Answer 4

yupp the first answer pretty much said it all...sorry im not an english rider so i wouldnt know

Answer 5

Oh boy!  Sounds like you're looking for a Wintec or like, BUT before you make that decision, look at some gently used Stubben Siegfrieds on ebay.  You also didn't give us your seat size and to get that you need to measure yourself starting at the knee and ending at the hip.

Unfortunately, synthetics DON'T hold their value.  

I've owned BOTH kinds and the leather ones are still with me.  In the early 90's I traded a set of corner plates for a Wintec Sport and grant it, it was a GREAT saddle, BUT the difference in sitting in one vs my now 39 year old Stubben Siegfried is like the difference between owning a Saturn and trying to compare it to a Mercedes.  Let's see if the Wintec holds up to the standards of a Stubben nearly 40 years later.

I also ended up with an Abetta western saddle for a bit and ended up GIVING it to my best friend, who also basically ended up GIVING it to somebody else.  

Our reasoning behind this is that a synthetic, no matter how they make 'em has no "GIVE", that's one of the reasons for the interchangable gullets in the saddles of the Wintecs.  I can honestly say in the decades of owning my Siegfried (Stubben), I've NEVER had it on a horse it didn't fit and I've owned a LOT of different sized/breeds of horses.  From WIDE Quarter Horses to Narrow TBs and even a couple of Arabs.

I can also say the same about my Western saddles.  My favorite saddles are a 40 year old Circle Y and perspectively my now 22 year old Broken Horn Show saddle and 12 year old Broken Horn working saddle (Both BH saddles were made for me on semi QH trees which will fit the majority of horses I have and will own.).  I don't like the fact that the synthetics don't have any "give" to them and you stand a better chance of soring up a horse because they don't shift with a horse's body (They have little or no "give" in the trees, let alone the comfort that a leather saddle does for it's rider if you get a good, quality saddle.).

If you're limited on funds, then try e-bay and find a good used saddle.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...

Check that Siegfried out!

Later:  

There are OTHER Stubben Styles besides Siegfried!  

http://www.stubbennorthamerica.com/stuSa...

Take a look as other styles then you can go shopping.  BTW Stubben is known for a deep seat.