Saddles saddles saddles?

Question

I am looking for a quality jumping saddle, that is correctly balanced, with knee rolls, and that is comfortable. But the main thing is that it is balanced. Also I need a saddle with a longer flap, because I am taller, and also ride in equitation and hunters, so does anyone have suggestions. Price doesn't matter I just need suggestions.

Answer 1

You could try an Exselle Debut or Exselle Chasseur saddle.  They TEND to put smaller legged people in a chair seat, but fit longer legged people just fine (even with a regular flap) therefore tends to cater towards the taller people.  It also has a spring ply-bond tree and has been known to fit MANY different horses.  The debut runs for about $2200 here (Ontario, Canada) and the Chasseur runs for about $2300.  Both saddles are made from french leather and have had excellent reviews (from the reviews that I can find).  They are also both VERY comfy.  The debut looks as if it would have a very deep seat, but it definitley does not ride this way.

A lot of people tend to side with saddles such as Devocoux, Antares and, of course, pretty well the ONLY saddle I seem to see on the A circuit, Luc Childrec's but they are all VERY pricey...even when bought used (around $3,000 used....$5,000 new) but will last a lifetime.

I have heard a lot of mixed reviews about Collegiates and the Bates Caprilli.  I personally am not a fan of Argentinian leather (the Collegiates are made from this) but have heard that they are also very comfy saddles.  I do know that a couple years ago Collegiates tended to put people into chair seat positions no matter how tall the rider was.

I have heard good and bad things about the Bates Caprilli too.  I personally am not a fan of the fact that they are now manufactured in Vietnam and the CAIR system.  Although the CAIR system is supposed to be great for your horse, I have heard of it doing the exact opposite for many people.  I have also heard that it tends to make the ride much bouncier (so if you already have a bouncy horse...watch out!).  What I do like about both those options is the fact that there is a changeable gullet system.

Michael Whittaker's are a good saddle too.  A friend of mine has one and I rode in it once.  My horse came right up under the saddle like there was no tomorrow.  Although not a cheap saddle, it is definitley a good choice (tack shop not too far from me has them for $1,000 but they are normally around $1,800-$2,000).

I also suggest staying away from any cheap saddles.  They are not balanced properly and will force you into very awkward positions.

Answer 2

If price doesn't matter, I would look at:

1) Butet

2) Devoucoux

3) Tad Coffin

4) CWD

5) Antares

They are all really high quality, so it's more a question of personal preference.

Answer 3

Go to ebay.com

Answer 4

I was in the same position you're in now a few months ago. If you ever fall into a Crosby Centennial at a used tack shop, I strongly recommend considering it. They're hard to track down because they don't make them anymore, but they're awesome saddles. They put you in correct position 100% of the time, are nice and deep, and have a longer flap than most saddles.

I couldn't find a Centennial and settled for Exselle's version of the Centennial (they bought the Crosby label or something of the sort), the Debut. Ugh ugh ugh terrible. I hated it and got rid of it after less than three months. Right now I have a Pessoa GenX which isn't quite a Centennial, but is a good saddle nonetheless.

Good luck. Saddle shopping is so tedious and sometimes heartbreaking! Try www.horsetackreviews.com for more feedback.

Answer 5

I am kind of in the same position as you and i ended up buying a bates close contact saddle with the CAIR panels. It has the easy change gullet system in it so you can change the gullet like on the wintec saddles. the leather is absolutely to die for and i get compliments on it all the time at shows. Its great for flat and over fences work. by the way if you end up buying this saddle don't get bates leathers but get prestige instead because i found the bates to be too short but the prestige matched perfectly!! good luck- I found mine on ebay for $1450 brand new :)

Answer 6

wintec saddles arent worth the money!!

i say dover

Answer 7

Why do you mean by "balanced"  ?

If your saddle is tipping forward or back, it's because it does not fit the horse.     If you put it on the horse in the right spot and pommel and cantle are not even, it also isn't fitting the horse.

Answer 8

try the Dover circut equitation saddle!

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

i have the circut pro and its AMAZING! but i have short legs.. so it fits me.  from what i understand all the circut saddles are similar, the flap shape is just different..

it is a VERY balanced saddle, super comfy and makes it so easy to ride [=  its also very nice leather in a color that works

well on most colored horses.

also, it is somewhat expensive, but I've had mine for 3+ years and it looks as nice or nicer then it did the first day i had it... it just wears beautifully!

i can't say enough about my saddle!

Answer 9

Try the Beval natural. I am a hunter/jumper, and I have the same problem of being a tall showjumper. It's really comfortable, but a bit expensive. I bought mine new, but if you go to a Beval store they will probably have some used ones for a better price.

http://www.beval.com/Products/BZ-Natural...

If you don't like it, here are some other saddle sites that you can look for a saddle on:

www.equestrianclearance.com

www.usedsaddles.com

www.cowboyway.com/CheapSaddles.htm

www.advancedsaddlefit.com

www.TrinityTack.com

www.BigdWeb.com

www.SaddleOnline.com

www.bitsandbridles.com

www.saddlesnhorsetackshop.com

www.equinenow.com/saddleseat.htm

www.buytack.com/

Your barn might have some saddles for sale there from retired riders - one of these might be cheaper

Good luck!

Answer 10

Ditto Love_my...Bates is my favorite saddle.  I know a lot of people who swear by them.  The Bates Caprilli Close Contact comes in a longer flap.  Here is Bates fact page on the saddle: http://www.batessaddles.com/.  You can purchase it new from dover saddlery (www.doversaddler.com) or find a slightly used one on ebay.  The Cair panels are great for the horse's back; the saddle is correctly balanced; it puts you in a great position; and the seat/leather are so soft, plush, and comfortable.

I have a Bates Caprilli Dressage that I bought slightly used on ebay.  I LOVE it.  My college Equestrian team coach (very large, well-known university) swore by them and had a bates saddle for each and every one of her horses.

It features the easy-change gulley system.  So you can adjust it to accuratley fit the back of your horse.

Here is a perfect used one from ebay, if you fit a 17.5.  http://cgi.ebay.com/Stunning-17-5-BATES-...

Here you can buy a new long flap in havanna or carmel http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...

oooo...I almost forgot--the knee blocks are adjustable, and you can buy thigh blocks for it too!

This saddle gets 5 stars from me.

Answer 11

I find Collegiates to be really great saddles. My first saddle was a Stubben, but it didn't put me in the correct position. Try the Collegiate Post Graduate Saddle. It is my 2nd Collegiate saddle, and it is SO comfy! You could also try the Collegiate Diploma saddle. Both of these saddles have the Easy Change Gullet System, so they can fit any horse!

Answer 12

You didn't say what type of saddle you're looking for, Close Contact, or with traditional knee rolls.

Here's a link for Stubben North America and you can contact them about having a saddle custom made for your needs.

http://www.stubbennorthamerica.com/stuJu...

I know that one my TBs and Running QH types that Crosby seemed to make me feel that they were built really down hill when I had my Prix de Nations, I did purchase a Prix de Salute from Crump and it seemed to make me feel a bit more centered, but through the decades, my old Siegfried Stubben, has kept me centered and I STILL have it after nearly 40 years.

Best of luck.

Answer 13

The Dover Saddlery Circuit saddles are great. They are really nice, and they all cost under $1000. I have one that isn't circuit, but it looks exactly the same. I think they make an equitation model that has a little longer flap.