[petitepyromaniac]

Every time I think I find a good jumping saddle, there's so many conflicting reviews on it that I wind up second guessing my decision. These are my requirements:

Knee AND Thigh blocks

Forward Flap (I have a long upper leg)

$1,500 or under

and it would be PERFECT if it was also a monoflap saddle. But I'm flexible on that, because I could just modify a regular saddle and get longer billets. It would still have the double flaps, but at least the girth and buckles wouldn't be right under my leg. Has anyone done that?

Anyway, ALL help and opinions are appreciated!!!!!!!

P.S. I'm in the process of selling my mare. I'm not sure what my new horse will be, but I understand that I'll need to make sure it fits the horse as well.

 

[corinowalk]

I am not a jumper but I really like this website. It breaks things down into positive and negatives and has thousands of reviews on different saddles. Horse Tack Review.com - Reviews of horse tack and rider supplies!

 

[petitepyromaniac]

Excellent, thank you corinowalk! I'll definitely look into that!

Does anyone else have any opinions they care to share? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks!

 

[kitten_Val]

I've heard VERY nice words about Black Country Quantum. But in your price range you can only look for well used one.

M Toulouse are very nice saddles (tried one, but unfortunately didn't fit my horse).

M. Toulouse Candice Close Contact Saddle from SmartPak Equine

M. Toulouse Marielle Monoflap Jump Saddle - Quality Tack at Outlet Prices - VTO Saddlery (monoflap)

Jumping Saddle Range | The BCS Quantum Jump/Hunter Jumper Saddle - Black Country Saddles, UK

I had Pessoa CC and loved it, but my horse grew up from it... :-(

BTW, if you plan on looking at used saddles:

Trumbull Mountain Tack Shop - The Saddle Specialists
Rick's Heritage Saddlery - West Chester, PA - Carrying a full line of new and used Saddles

Both places are awesome to deal with, help with recommendations, and trial policy is just great!

 

[petitepyromaniac]

The BCS Quantum looks awesome! I can't find a price though... do you know how much it costs?

 

[kitten_Val]

The BCS Quantum looks awesome! I can't find a price though... do you know how much it costs?

This is our local: Hastilow Competition Saddles, USA - Saddles » Black Country Saddles So far it's the cheapest place selling BC I could find. They also have used BC Quantum. I'm thinking about trying one too next year (after my tax return if any :wink: ). Hastilow Competition Saddles, USA - Second-Hand Sales

 

[petitepyromaniac]

Perfect! Thank you sooooo much!

 

[LadyGaGa]

My saddle was made by this company and i absolutely love it...they also do specific made to measure orders...Its a UK company though so not sure if its any help to you... Design to Order Saddles :: General Purpose Saddles :: Dressage Saddles :: Jump Saddles :: Show Saddles :: Wide Fitting Saddles :: Speciality Saddles -- Ideal Saddle Company --

 

[MyBoyPuck]

Pessoa Gen-X Natural in Close Contact at Schneider Saddlery

I have a freakishly long leg from hip to knee. I just got this Pessoa GenX. It doesn't have thigh blocks, but it sure is comfy and has very nice balance.

The only forward flap saddle I know of that has both knee and thigh blocks is the new Thorowgood GP saddle and it's a synthetic. I love it for trail riding and hunter paces. It really locks you into place.

 

[petitepyromaniac]

Thank you LadyGaGa and MyBoyPuck! I LOVE the idea of "designing" your own saddle. The Pessoa GenX looks lovely, I'd love to sit in it and see how it feels. The Thorowgood GP intrigues me... I love that you said that it really "locks you into place", because that's what I'm looking for (hence the desire for thigh blocks), and I don't mind that it's synthetic.

Question- Would you prefer a Thorowgood over a Wintec?

 

[kitten_Val]

Question- Would you prefer a Thorowgood over a Wintec?

Absolutely. Personally I found Thorowgood to be uncomfortable for me because it felt too wide, but to each own! It's nice saddle otherwise.

BTW, you can also look into Duett saddles. They are nice too. Duett Saddles: The Partnership of Horse & Rider

 

[Luvs2jump]

You can find the Bates Momentum for around what you're looking for.
I've heard good things about the wintec projump. I use a Wintec A/P for pretty much all my riding and love it, especially for when it comes to cleaning.

 

[petitepyromaniac]

You can find the Bates Momentum for around what you're looking for.
I've heard good things about the wintec projump. I use a Wintec A/P for pretty much all my riding and love it, especially for when it comes to cleaning.

What have you heard about the Wintec Pro Jump? I was considering one of those...

 

[reachthestars]

I love, love, LOVE my Bates! I have the Hunter Jumper model, but if you get the Caprilli CC it has a nice deep seat that helps to lock you in place. It also has adjustable knee blocks.

This is mine -

And keep in mind that the ones geared towards eventers (Caprilli, Momentum, etc.) all have a deeper seat than mine. I'm a wanna-be eventer, but this saddle was a steal and I couldn't pass it up. I've done some low (2ft) XC fences with this one and it's been wonderful.

 

[petitepyromaniac]

Beautiful saddle! I'm going to look up the Caprilli right now, but I wouldn't mind having exactly what you have either!

 

[MIEventer]

Why not contact a Profesional Saddle Maker/Fitter to come out and help you with your decision.

It doesn't matter "what brand" of saddle you like or dislike- the ultimate deal maker and breaker is whether that saddle FITS YOU and YOUR HORSE properly.

What one person likes, may not work for you. All our bodies are shaped differently - so instead of going with what one person likes over another, why not try out saddles with the help of a Professional, to decipher what works for you, your body type and your horse's back.

Just because one likes this brand over that brand - doesn't mean you will. What fits one person's horse, doesn't mean it will fit yours.

Every tree is different, every horses back shape is different, from wither, shoulder, length of back, width of back, shape of back and so on and so on.

 

[petitepyromaniac]

Why not contact a Profesional Saddle Maker/Fitter to come out and help you with your decision.

Professional saddle fitters in my area are few and far between. Plus, the few that do it are usually just trying to sell whatever saddle they carry. But I think you're right that the fit is more important than the brand. I just thought that hearing what people like might help me narrow my options, then I'll have a better idea as to what to order to test ride (English tack stores are fairly uncommon here too :evil

 

[reachthestars]

I think it's important to find out what saddles other people love and hate, because oftentimes what seems to be a great brand really isn't. We can also help guide her towards brands that hold their value, have good resale, have proven to hold up, etc.

I got my Bates on the recommendation of several people (who were familiar with various different models), and couldn't be happier with it. I've also owned and loved a Crosby PDN, although the fixed gullet isn't something I would ever buy again.

Petitepyromaniac, what kind of horse do you have? Any chance you can borrow a few saddles from friends to get an idea of fit? I know I had some wonderful people who let me try their saddles on my horse, since my area has no fitters either.

 

[petitepyromaniac]

Well, right now I have an American Warmblood, but I'm in the process of selling her, and I'm not sure what horse I'll get next. I'll probably wait until after I get the new horse to get the saddle, so I can make sure the one I get fits.

I like the idea of the adjustable gullet option. You never know when/how you're horse is going to change build, or if you're going to get another horse (like I'm doing). It just seems more convenient.

I LOVED the look of the Bates Momentum (not sure if it had blocks though), but it's a bit out of my price range. So maybe I can find it used, and any of the other Bates look good too. I think I know a girl at my old barn who has one... maybe I'll see if I can sneak a ride in it sometime on my new horse (thanks for the idea reachthestars!)

 

[petitepyromaniac]

Well, right now I have an American Warmblood, but I'm in the process of selling her, and I'm not sure what horse I'll get next. I'll probably wait until after I get the new horse to get the saddle, so I can make sure the one I get fits.

I like the idea of the adjustable gullet option. You never know when/how you're horse is going to change build, or if you're going to get another horse (like I'm doing). It just seems more convenient.

I LOVED the look of the Bates Momentum (not sure if it had blocks though), but it's a bit out of my price range. So maybe I can find it used, and any of the other Bates look good too. I think I know a girl at my old barn who has one... maybe I'll see if I can sneak a ride in it sometime on my new horse (thanks for the idea reachthestars!)