Adjustable tree - leather jumping saddles?

[Tiffani_B]

@jn4jenny;5314423

Toulouse just released the Annice model (their Antares knockoff) with their new Genesis gullet. I have not seen the Genesis gullet with my own two eyes, but what I saw in their Genesis promotional video made it look pretty fragile to me. I’ve heard nice things about the Annice’s ride-ability, but mixed reviews on its fit for horses. And I think Toulouse’s double-leather is absolute trash. It looks like hell after just a few years of proper use and care. Not the leather option I’d choose for someone riding youngsters.

I have this saddle and LOVE love love it. The adjustments are super fast and easy (I just hope I don’t lose the little wrench LOL!) and the tree has a ten year warranty. It seems very solid - I’m not terribly concerned about it being “fragile.” As to the leather wearing, I can’t say yet. So far after about two dozen rides it appears to be breaking in very nicely. No more wear than I’d expect. I oiled everything up very well (and it’s darkened to a lovely deep caramel color) before I rode in it the first time and plan on doing careful maintenance over the time I have it. I also have the calfskin leathers per their recommendation. Possibly they’ll release this saddle in their buffalo leather someday, if it proves to be popular.

Overall I’d give this one two thumbs up.

[Blacktree]

Duh, I can’t believe I forgot this, but I actually did buy a Bates Caprilli years ago. My gelding liked it and it seemed to fit me as well, but something about the balance made me feel like I wouldn’t want to ride cross-country in it. Right after I decided not to buy it and was untacking, my gelding spooked and dumped the new saddle onto the concrete aisle way, oops. :eek: I couldn’t bring it back to the store, so I sold it 2 days later to a friend that didn’t mind the cantle scuffs since she was getting a good price.

I found my County a week later and was so excited that I must have blocked that whole thing out of my memory. :lol:

[Blacktree]

[QUOTE=Tiffani B;5317859]
I have this saddle and LOVE love love it. The adjustments are super fast and easy (I just hope I don’t lose the little wrench LOL!) and the tree has a ten year warranty. It seems very solid - I’m not terribly concerned about it being “fragile.” As to the leather wearing, I can’t say yet. So far after about two dozen rides it appears to be breaking in very nicely. No more wear than I’d expect. I oiled everything up very well (and it’s darkened to a lovely deep caramel color) before I rode in it the first time and plan on doing careful maintenance over the time I have it. I also have the calfskin leathers per their recommendation. Possibly they’ll release this saddle in their buffalo leather someday, if it proves to be popular.

Overall I’d give this one two thumbs up.[/QUOTE]

Good to know - thanks for the review!

[Jumper_girl221]

Just as a positive review for the Diploma, I have one and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I find its one of the most comfortable saddles I’ve ridden in (not that I’ve ridden in many high end saddles). I did a 14 mile trail ride on a greenie in it about 2 months ago and had no problems walking the next day

I had a used diploma that I sold, and I purchased a new Diploma in a larger seat size and the longer flap (I’m tall). Even if the Alumni had come in the longer flap, I would have probably stayed with the diploma since I personally prefer wool flocking.

[Blacktree]

Decision Time : )

These saddles are the highest on my list now: 1) the Ovation Competition Show Jumper and 2) the Ovation Evolution.

I was leaning towards the Evolution but my hubby likes the SJ better. Does anyone have experience with either model to help me decide between the 2?

I like a narrow twist, and am only 5’0" tall (no long legs here). I like saddles that feel secure enough to ride XC in, but are not so deep that I can’t get out of. Two saddles that fit me well are the County Stabilizer and the older Collegiate Connoisseur. Thanks!!

[jn4jenny]

The Evolution is going to be more similar in flap angle and general concept to the Stabilizer. They’re both well made, and they’re of comparable quality. I don’t think you can go wrong with either, but you seem to like a straighter-flapped saddle, and the Evolution is closer to that mark.

However, the Evolution does have that “covered leather”–aka “softer, grippier leather on the flaps and seat”–that the hunter market seems to love so much but that doesn’t necessarily wear as well as grain leather. If you are a trainer or ride a lot of horses per day, that might be an argument for the Showjumper with its grain leather.

That probably just confused you more. Sorry!

[Blacktree]

Good to know - I’m still leaning towards the Evolution and I found that it is available in grain leather as well as the covered. I think the tougher grain leather sounds like a better match since this will be used a lot (and hopefully for a long time). A little conditioning and it should be plenty grippy for an eventer like me. :lol:

What do you think? (the grain leather version):
http://www.123tack.com/ovation-evolution-grained-leather-jumping-saddle-with-xch-regular-sizes.html?productid=ovation-evolution-grained-leather-jumping-saddle-with-xch-regular-sizes&channelid=FROOG

They also offer the covered leather:
http://www.123tack.com/ovation-evolution-covered-leather-jumping-saddle-with-xch-regular-sizes.html

[Go_Time]

Evolution

I went back and forth trying to decide between the two leather choices. I ended up buying the grained leather. I didn’t trust the covered leather to hold up as well and was worried that it would scratch easily, etc.

I am really pleased with my choice. It has oiled up nicely and has a nice tacky finish. It seems very durable and after six months use it still looks like new and doesn’t show a single mark. Plus it was a little bit cheaper.

[jn4jenny]

Just thought of something–I wonder what the difference in blocking is on these? Internet sources seem to disagree on the shape of the block. I admit that I did not examine the one and only Ovation Evolution I’ve ever seen closely enough to remember the block. I seem to remember the Ovation Competition Showjumper having a pretty standard knee and thigh block, not a pencil block like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/OVATION-EVOLUTION-CC-ENGLISH-SADDLE-17-5-M-xch-TREE-/330516606485?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf4532e15

FYI, I had a SUPER slow shipping experience with 123Tack. I did finally get my stuff, but it took about a month. Maybe it’s still worth it for $100 less than the going rate?

[Go_Time]

jn4jenny

The block in my Evolution is nothing like the one in the ebay listing. Mine has a fixed thigh block and a moveable knee block (velcro).

Also the saddle in the ebay listing looks like it might be the Evolution All Purpose. The flap is more forward on the jumping model. There are two different Evolutions. All purpose and Jumping. I almost made the mistake of ordering the wrong one because I didn’t realize this when I was shopping.

[jn4jenny]

[QUOTE=Go Time;5339089]
The block in my Evolution is nothing like the one in the ebay listing. Mine has a fixed thigh block and a moveable knee block (velcro).

Also the saddle in the ebay listing looks like it might be the Evolution All Purpose. The flap is more forward on the jumping model. There are two different Evolutions. All purpose and Jumping. I almost made the mistake of ordering the wrong one because I didn’t realize this when I was shopping.[/QUOTE]

Like the one pictured here then? This looks like a pretty great, flexible blocking system to me:
http://www.marystack.com/aaaaaaagqx.html

Good to know there are two Evolutions. I had no idea! Most web sites don’t seem to distinguish.

[Go_Time]

Yep, that is exactly like mine.

[BeastieSlave]

It looks like OP is heading toward an Ovation, but I have to add another positive review for Bates & Collegiates (for future ‘searches’)…

I’ve had my Bates Caprilli cc for several years (6?) and it has been a very comfortable and useful saddle on a variety of horses. My #2 daughter had a Collegiate Diploma and that saddle was much nicer than I expected it to be. The leather broke in well and was actually very decent quality - especially for the price!

[otterhound1]

We have Bates saddles which we hunt in through winter and ride in through summer, all 3 have the interchangeable gullets. Only yesterday we changed one (new horse) and it honestly took about 3 minutes! It’s interesting to read that you don’t seem to be able to buy flocked Bates saddles over there? Almost all of their saddles, including the Wintec range, are available with flock or cair. Cair is generally about $100 more expensive than flock.

[PonyHunter70]

I originally got my Collegiate Diploma because it was the cheapest way to get an X-wide tree. Haha. I have a witherless pony.

Anyway, now I am riding several horses, everything from skinny TBs to my X-wide pony. I love it. Changing the gullet is fairly simple. An electric drill definitely makes things easier, and if you are putting in one of the wider or skinnier trees you might need someone to help.

The Diploma itself, in my experience, has been very promising and pretty comfortable. I have had it for 4 years, and no leather or stitching issues. I got mine new. It was a bit under $1,000.

People who ride in my saddle say it does push you a bit forward, which I noticed when I first got it. Now, I guess, I am used to it.

If you are looking for an affordable gullet change saddle, I would definitely look up the Diploma.

[Sister7]

I have been eyeing this baby for a few weeks now and it’s even in kitsap!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/grd/2140756360.html

A friend of mine has a Laser dressage saddle and it’s really lovely. I think this is an absolute steal at the price. I don’t think Laser made many CC saddles so this one is probably quite rare.

[Blacktree]

[QUOTE=jn4jenny;5339078]
FYI, I had a SUPER slow shipping experience with 123Tack. I did finally get my stuff, but it took about a month. Maybe it’s still worth it for $100 less than the going rate?[/QUOTE]
I ordered a HS bit from them last summer and the speed was fine, but stuff like that happens sometimes so that’s good to know! I think for this saddle, since it’s an extra, it would be ok if it took awhile, though anticipation of seeing a new toy always makes it hard to wait!

[Blacktree]

[QUOTE=Go Time;5339089]
The block in my Evolution is nothing like the one in the ebay listing. Mine has a fixed thigh block and a moveable knee block (velcro).

Also the saddle in the ebay listing looks like it might be the Evolution All Purpose. The flap is more forward on the jumping model. There are two different Evolutions. All purpose and Jumping. I almost made the mistake of ordering the wrong one because I didn’t realize this when I was shopping.[/QUOTE]

I didn’t realize there was an AP version either, that is confusing!

Does anyone know if the SJ has a fixed thigh block, too? I don’t think I’ve ever tried a saddle with thigh blocks, so it would be nice if they were on Velcro, too, in case I didn’t care for them.

[Blacktree]

[QUOTE=BeastieSlave;5339212]
It looks like OP is heading toward an Ovation, but I have to add another positive review for Bates & Collegiates (for future ‘searches’)…price![/QUOTE]
Thanks - all reviews are welcome! I’ll probably start with the Ovations, but that doesn’t mean that’s where my search will end.

@otterhound63;5339626

We have Bates saddles which we hunt in through winter and ride in through summer, all 3 have the interchangeable gullets. Only yesterday we changed one (new horse) and it honestly took about 3 minutes! It’s interesting to read that you don’t seem to be able to buy flocked Bates saddles over there? Almost all of their saddles, including the Wintec range, are available with flock or cair. Cair is generally about $100 more expensive than flock.

I’ve seen the flocked versions of the Wintecs here, but not for the Bates. Good to know they are made though, I could probably find them online if I end up not liking the Ovations.

[Blacktree]

[QUOTE=Sister7;5339801]
I have been eyeing this baby for a few weeks now and it’s even in kitsap!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/grd/2140756360.html

A friend of mine has a Laser dressage saddle and it’s really lovely. I think this is an absolute steal at the price. I don’t think Laser made many CC saddles so this one is probably quite rare.[/QUOTE]

Thanks! I’ll admit I’m pretty in love with knee rolls when I’m on green babies though.