Torn between a few saddle brands. Can you help?

Question

Hi, I am looking for a new leather English AP saddle. I want to spend under $1000 and am torn between a few different brands. Here are the saddles I'm considering: Courbette Magic AP, any Collegiate AP, Dover Circuit series AP, and Bates AP. I was also thinking about an HdR, but I can't find very much info about them. I ride quite a few different horses so I was looking at models with spring trees and change out gusset systems. I don't know what the best saddle is out of the bunch. They all seem to have their good points.

What AP saddles are you riding with? Are you happy with them?

Thank you for your time!

Answer 1

If you can find a Bates under $1000, I'd definitely go for it. It is much higher end than your other options and you'd probably be happier with it.

The Collegiates, Dovers, and HDRs are  made in Argentina as far as I know. The leather isn't going to be as good of quality as saddles made in Europe. I don't understand why HDR's have a french name yet aren't European, but oh well.

I've heard that Courbette Magics have very hard seats, but that was also referring to the CC magic, so I'm not sure about the AP. You might also want to look at www.horsetackreview.com. They should be able to give you some good opinions.

Answer 2

I ride with a Collegiate Senior Event saddle and I love it. It fits all of my horses well and is extremely comfortable. Other people I know who have Collegiate saddles love theirs too and they seem to hold up well enough for that price range.

I am not sure about the other saddles you mentioned, but I thought I would comment on the Collegiate none the less.

Answer 3

well now im not a huge english saddle person... but i do no that you have to make sure the tree fits correctly.. you have to examine your horse as well.. does he/she have broad shouldlers.. would the saddle rub/hurt your horse?

bates Ap-- pretty expensive... its hard to find one under or at 1000.. Dover Circuit is hard to get info on so i wouldn't know about that..

heres a collegiate AP pic:

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/spo/7...

this site below has saddles under 1,000:

http://www.horseloverz.com/Courbette-mid...

it all really comes down to what you and your horse and best fit with.. i recommend the Courbette Magic AP saddles... that just my opinion though..have fun!

Answer 4

I aggree with Des opinion on the Collegiates

I also have a Senior Event Saddle and have had it many years. It is a good comfotable all purpose saddle.

I ride both English and Western so I use mine for jumping and dressage as well as fox hunting and field trails.

It is truly an all purpose saddle for me. It is well made and has held up nicely.