G.W Crates - Riders Choice saddle? What do you think?

I`m looking to buy a saddle from GW Crates, here is a link to the saddle:
15" G.W. CRATE LADIES WADE ROPING SADDLE CUSTOM HERMAN OAK FREE SHIP RANCH TRAIL | eBay

Just need some more opinions, on both your own experiences with this saddlery, and on this specific saddle. Hope anyone can help me decide wether or not to buy this one, or from GW Crates in general. I`m at a bit of a loss..

As for the saddle it looks great from my point of view, and just to specify, the saddle company makes custom saddles, but this specific one is in stock and ready to ship, so that means that what you see a picture of is what I actually would be getting. I think it looks well made, but I`m not that experinced I`ll see flaws just by a picture. The one thing I noticed is there seems to be a bulk from the stirrups just below the seat, that may be bothersome for my thighs. What do you think?

Also, what`s most important, other than it fits me, is that it fits the horse, and this is practically made for my horse.

I`ve been reeding reviews and forum posts regarding gw crates and riders choice, some are good, and some are bad and not satisfied at all. So I guess the odds of getting a good quality saddle is 50/50?

Here is a link from a review I found, which is pretty positive:

Riders Choice G.W Crates Master Series Wade Roper Saddle AR Buckle Roping Saddles Reviews @ Horse Tack Review

I could save up and get a saddle from a well known saddlery, but I really like the idea of a custom made, especially when it comes to finding a saddle that fits the horse. And since you get what you pay for, this one isnt really that cheap either, so the quality should be great, right? And its a wade!

Appreciate any help I can get, thanks!

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While Riders Choice makes a decent Saddle, it is a far cry from the original Crates Saddles.

Notice the rear cinch is set in a slot in the skirt... not good
28lbs for a Roping Saddle ... not good
It is not a Wade, it is an A-fork Tree
In their ad they say Circly Y uses 7oz leather, that is not true.

If you are going to do Roping from this Saddle, I would pass.

If you are just Trail Riding, it is a lightweight Saddle, which is great


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Thanks! No, I`m aware this is not like original crates, and anyway the name crate in the ad is not why I`m looking into this one. (altough that is how I stumbled upon it, advertise trick on their part??) hmm.. don`t like..

The rear cinch, yeah, thanks didn`t notice that right away.. hmm

Forgot to mention I`m only trail riding, but fwy. LONG trail rides, and sometimes difficult terrain, so need a sturdy, stable, good quality saddle.

A-fork is what I want (I think so, sounds good in theory, but how is it on trail compared to swell fork?) Need security up front as well as back(it has 5" high cantle, which I like) but also I don`t like feeling trapped.

But enlighten me, isn`t Wade and A-fork the same? If not, what`s the difference?

As for roping, nope! Only trail riding :)

In the item description it says Roping Saddle, but under the main picture it says Ladies Wade Trail Saddle...

Also, something I think is weird, some forum posts are not satisfied at all with their saddles, yet on ebay all feedback is excellent...?? Only one neutral, that don`t add up at all..

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The Wade is thicker in depth (from fron to back) than the A-fork, both are about 10" wide at the bottom and taper to about 7" at the Top, that is why many of them you will see have bucking rolls attached on the side of the swells, thus helping you stay in the Saddle on downhill terrain or if the Horse stumbles.

Most Wades are also hard seats (no padding) and have the very large diameter horns.

A Trail Saddle generally has 12.5 to 13" wide swells from botton to top.

For super security, there are Beartrap Swells or Swept Back Swells, which are 14.5 to 15' wide.

This Place has unbiased reviews on almost all brands

Trail Saddles



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