I know I was just asking about the Bates, but we were outbid in the last second (grr), and I can't find any other Caprilli's withing my price range. I've heard good things about the Collegiates (including in the other thread) so I figured I should find out more.
I've ridden in the Senior Event (thought she had a Diploma but found out otherwise) and I'm not a fan, found the seat too deep and my legs pushed forward.
I also had the chance to ride in what I believe was an Alumni and liked it. It's a CC not an AP which I think made the difference.
I'm looking into the Diploma.... but I would love to know how they fit a high withered horse? Every CC or AP I've put on her has sat right on her withers which is making me a little nervous about committing to buy something without trying it first.
Testing saddles isn't really an option... I work in our only local tack store and I know for a fact the saddles we carry won't fit her. Online seems to be the only option at this point, and I'm trusting in you guys for advice .
I have Collegiate Dignitary for trail riding it gives LOTS of clearance for the withers. I'm not sure about Diploma. I believe someone here mentioned they have one (JDI may be?), so hopefully they'll pop in.
I have used the Diploma and I love it. You can get it on sale right now too through....dang....I forgot the name of the tackstore.....I'll have to search when I get home from work for you, don't have the time right now. It's on sale for $729.00 or is it $749.......somewhere in the $700's.
Anyways, I love it. It is a CC and it fit my TB gelding very nicely who has a broad back and high narrow withers.
Is there anyway you can get a professional saddle maker/fitter to come out to your area to help you out?
Look for my thread titled "Does your saddle realllly fit?" maybe the videos on there will help you out.
Ok, I guess I lied about getting it locally... there's a tack store about an hour and a half away who I've learned is a Collegiate dealer, and is willing to price match Horseloverz .
I rode in a Collegiate CC for about 15 years and I loved it, comfort wise, until the flocking finally gave out and I got a new saddle. Found out really fast that the entire time I was fighting for my correct leg position (too far forward), that it was the saddle that caused it. My new saddle is a Marcel Toulouse A/O and LOVE it. Put my leg exactly right and still has clearance even on my saddlebred's high withers. Fits everyone I have from him to my fat QH. But it was on sale at 30% off or I never could have afforded it.
Apachiedragon - thanks so much for the input! I had the chance to ride in a friend's Collegiate CC and felt very secure. I really want to get an adjustable gullet saddle, since my mare is very out of shape right now, and I know she'll be wider as her topline develops.
Here's a picture of Kelsey (and her withers) for reference.
I have a Collegiate and Pessoa- I have had the Collegiate since I was maybe 12 and I LOVE that saddle and will never sell it. I just recently bought the Pessoa and love that saddle too but I really can't say enough about the Collegiate. The one I have is a CC with no knee rolls. LOVE it for the flat I bought mine used so it is an older model and will last me a lifetime with proper care.
My barn recently bought a 5 year old Percheron/Paint for a lesson horse. Strangely enough shes a draft and has a huge wither, and a narrow back but now that shes getting into work shes getting more muscle. Two advanced riders train her.. one has a Diploma and one has the Alumni, they both had to put Narrows in their saddles for her and now she is in a medium gullet. Both of the saddles did and still do fit her, but it may be different for your horse. I have ridden in the Alumni and it was in fact very comfortable, BUT if you are long legged this is probablly not that saddle for you since it doesn't have as forward of a flap. Still I would recomend looking into both. You can find the Alumni for cheaper than the diploma usually. I think these saddles are alot differently made than other collegiates. I used to have to ride in some random collegiate saddle with an old horse i lease and it put my leg in a horrible postition too. When we switched horses in the lessons i would ride in the Diploma and Alumni i realized that not only were the two saddles entirely comfortable but they put my legs into correct position. I recomend looking into both and trying these saddles on your horse if possible.
Also my friend has a pessoa- wonderful, correct, comfortable saddle but I still liked the Diploma and Alumni much more, though that is just my opinion (and they cost more if your on a lower budget)
I just posted these because you seem to be a little confused about which saddle is which.
If you do want to buy the Alumni or Diploma dont do so from here as they no longer have thier sales on them. Go price hunting for any saddle your looking into buying. I bought my Diploma when it was 760 new, the next day it was around 1000 new, I was lucky.
That could be eventing101, my Collegiate was one of the older style, with no knee rolls. I bought it 18 yrs ago and it was used when i bought it. It could be that the newer ones are done differently. I did love how comfortable it was though, so if you find one that doesn't put your leg in a bad spot, they are very comfy saddles, and will hold up really well, even with a lot of abuse. Mine saw plenty, believe me, and it held up fine except for the flocking getting compressed, but that can be fixed as well if you find a good repair shop.
Yes the one that I rode in was a older model that my trainer had had for many years ( like before I was born so over 15) and no knee rolls though I don't know the name... just that the brand was collegiate. Another girl at the barn has some sort of newer collegiate model that doesnt have gullet change and I found it very comfy and correct like the diploma and alumni. Its probablly just a development over time thing though I have ridden in a newer model that was comfy but put me in a chair seat, and it was a AP. But I only have ridden in 5 different Collegiates before so I dont know about others. Like I said in her other thread "one saddle can't work for every rider"
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