[kitten_Val]

You won't be able to jump in dressage saddle. At least it looks very uncomfortable to me.

If you indeed do lots of jumping and current saddle doesn't fit your horse very well, I'd sell that saddle and get the nice jumping one. But that's just me. Lol!

 

[roro]

I would pick the jumping saddle. The way I see it, it's much safer to work on dressage in a jumping saddle than to work on jumping in a dressage saddle. You can save up for a dressage saddle later. The jumping saddle is also a good choice because you can get rid of that ill-fitting nightmare of a saddle once and for all!

 

[flamingauburnmustang]

I'd say get a jumping saddle without leg blocks. Unless you do ALOT of dressage and would feel comfortable with a dressage saddle rather than jumping, then get a dressage saddle.

If you do both equally, rather consider the jumping saddle. You can do both disciplines comfortably in it.

 

[PoohLP]

You could always try an AP or eventing saddle (basically the same thing). THey are designed to work for both.

 

[luvs2ride1979]

Buy a quality used AP saddle, like a Stubben, Kieffer, Passier, etc. with NO leg blocks. You want something with a forward flap for jumping (VSS). A quality AP will be balanced enough for jumping and solid flat work. Buy one through a reputable tack shop (local or online) that will help with fitting your horse and allow returns or trials.

 

[gypsygirl]

You could always try an AP or eventing saddle (basically the same thing). THey are designed to work for both.

agreed ! i do eventing & have an event saddle that works fine for all 3phases [except it doesnt fit my horses =/] its also a lot easier to have one saddle that works for everything than to have multiple saddles. unless you are going advanced, then i would have 2 saddles

 

[EventingIsLovee]

Thanks everyone! This is all very good advice and I really appreciate it! I think I might get an all purpose. But I'm still going to check how the one I have now fits him. I think the fitting is fine now. But also, if I got a dressage saddle, I would still use my jumping saddle for jumping and xc. Does this change any of your ideas?

 

[sillybunny11486]

a great dressage rider once told me ap=no purpose lol
Ive never used one. I prefer a jumping saddle. Knee blocks arent suposed to effect your flat work that much. What kind of saddle do you have now??
Dressage saddles put you back a little bit more (as compared to an a/p and c/c saddle), thus you might be put off trying to jump with the horse/

 

[luvs2ride1979]

I HATE the AP=NP saying. It's so far from the truth... No, you can't do upper level Dressage in an AP and no you can't jump 4' in one, but they're sure as heck WONDERFUL for lower levels, security over fences, and learning. A good QUALITY AP that is balanced and fits horse and rider well is a wonderful saddle to have around.

I showed through Training level Dressage in my old trainer's Passier VSS AP and never scored below a 65%, on a young/green horse, thank-you-very-much, lol. I also always socred 7's or higher for my position and riding form. I showed that same horse in that same saddle in 3-3'3" jumpers and never got sucked in or left behind.

 

[kitten_Val]

a great dressage rider once told me ap=no purpose lol

Exactly same thing I was told by old jumping rider/trainer last week. I DO own AP and frankly I have to agree. It's great for trail riding and comfy all over, but not great for dressage or jumping. I'm looking into cc saddle now.

 

[EventingIsLovee]

Knee blocks arent suposed to effect your flat work that much. What kind of saddle do you have now??
Dressage saddles put you back a little bit more (as compared to an a/p and c/c saddle), thus you might be put off trying to jump with the horse/

They aren't knee blocks, they're leg blocks that are behind my leg, causing my leg to not be in the correct position. They become too far forward for dressage work.
The saddle I have now is the old version of the Dover Circuit. It's a jumper saddle.
And I know that dressage saddles will put you back more. It's the same as a jumper saddle putting you forward more. I would never jump in a dressage saddle, that's why I would keep the jumping saddle I have now for jumping, and use a new dressage saddle for dressage and flat work at home.

 

[PoohLP]

This doesn't seem difficult - you just need to figure out what you need.

• If your jumping saddle is fine, get a dressage saddle.
• If your jumping saddle isn't getting the job done and you can't afford both a dressage and jumping saddle, and you do enough dressage that a jumping saddle won't cut it, get an AP.
• If the jumping saddle isn't ideal, but works and you really want two separate saddles, you can always get a dressage saddle and save up for a jumping saddle down the line.

It is easy for people to be snooty about APs if they have enough money that you can afford two decent quality saddles, but getting one good quality AP is going to be better than 2 cheap saddles or having one saddle that doesn't cut it for both disciples when you spend considerable time and effort on both of them. And if down the road your needs and financial situation changes, you can always save your money, sell the AP and invest in however many saddles you need to get the job done.

 

[EventingIsLovee]

Thanks this is really helpful! You actually made a very good point and you're right it actually does seem really easy. I think I might get a dressage saddle and keep the jumping saddle I have for now. Thank you so much!