Ainsley Saddles reputation for close contact

[CScrivEq52]

I am ISO a new close contact saddle. Sadly, my beloved Tad Coffin saddle burned in a barn fire and I don’t have the money to replace it with another. I am currently looking for a decent saddle that I can spend roughly $650 on that has a good reputation, decent leather, etc.

I recently came came across the Ainsley saddles and instantly became partial to them because that is my daughter’s name. I know better than to buy a saddle based on the name, lol, but I’ve been doing some digging and finding the older Ainsley saddles have a grand reputation. Anyone have experience with the Ainsley Leicester saddles for hunter/jumper?

[kashmere]

@beowulf is your girl for Qs about this saddle!

[beowulf]

Thanks for the tag kashmere I believe @Bogie also knows a thing or two about them as well.

Sorry to hear about your saddle. That really stinks. Are all horses and people okay?

Ainsleys are great saddles. They are not “in-vogue”, so do not command high resale value… but in my experience, they retain shape and condition incredibly well. The leather quality is great - soft and buttery and you can get a steal of a deal if you find one used. I have had no problems with my Ainsleys. I have an Ainsley from high school that, other than an unfortunate run-in with a mouthy TB, still looks like a million bucks. People regularly comment on it and confuse it for a french saddle - most recently someone asked if it was an Antares… IME they get beautiful patinas when well cared for. I have a second one that is an Ainsley Chester XC that is also very nice, fits a wider variety than my first Ainsley (the flap lettering on the inside is worn off, so I am not sure which Ainsley the older one is, if I had to guess it is an Ainsley Pro National).

Ainsleys, the older ones anyway, were very close contact with typical pencil-roll flaps and minor knee blocks. Despite this, they are incredibly secure - they have a flattish seat, but it is very “scoopy” when it comes to big drops and ditches I always felt 100% in the tack and with the horse. Great for galloping tracks and big fences. The XC Ainsleys have forward flaps and seem to be especially popular with tall leggy riders. I am not tall (barely scrape at 5’6") but all of my height is in my legs - I fit very well in the Ainsleys. Some people think the saddle encourages a chair seat but IMHO all XC saddles with forward flaps will put your knees in front of your point of hip, it’s just the design of the saddle.

The tree points of the Ainsley are straight rather than slanted or curved back like in newer models, so before you purchase just make sure a saddlefitter eyeballs that. I ran into some soreness with one of my TBs who just didn’t have enough shoulder clearance with the Ainsley but it was because of his own conformation, not the saddle’s.

Last summer, I “upgraded” to a Stubben Zaria because my horse needed better shoulder clearance. I miss the Ainsley everyday. The Zaria is close-contact too, but it just doesn’t have the same feel the Ainsley did.

Here are some pictures to show you how well these saddles age:
Taken 2 years ago

Same saddle, different horse, over ten years ago: [IMG2=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“src”:"https://scontent.fbos1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10401148_35202692642_5612_n.jpg?oh=0194c4ad70acaecd0c9e32f8f8ee887d&oe=59A47BD7)

Like I said, I’ve had that saddle since HS. Love it to pieces. Just wish it fit my current project, but he’s a big, big atypical TB and that saddle is better suited for a more typical TB build.

[Bogie]

@beowulf is correct. I am also a fan of Ainsley saddles. My personal preference is the old Ainsley Chester, which worked really well for me on several horses. They are way undervalued (IMO). I think I paid $300 for mine!

Currently, I’m also a fan of the Jeffries JMX monoflap. This is a discontinued model but it’s got great balance, very secure (especially in Buffalo leather) and you can find them for a good price. They are forward enough for my leg but don’t put me in a chair seat. I picked one up for $900 that looked new for my TB. Liked it so much I bought a second one in a wide tree for my draft x. My saddle fitter likes them a lot, too.

[CScrivEq52]

Thank you for the great replies! Yes, horses and people are ok. Luckily we were braiding for a show the next day and smelled smoke early enough to get all creatures out of the barn. It was the entire tack room, hay storage area and jump storage sheds we lost

In the ad for the Ainsley I found the current owner says it’s a good saddle for a small TB or more finely built for a finer pony. I am a little nervous because I’m riding some round QH mares and geldings while I search for my next horse and the husband has a draft gelding (so I don’t ever use my saddles on the big guy).

[mvp]

OP, I think the tree shape and width on an Ainsley will be comparable to the Crosbys of the Prix des Nations era. IIRC, Ainsley was one of the many Walsall UK manufacturers back then.

[Bogie]

@CScrivEq52

Thank you for the great replies! Yes, horses and people are ok. Luckily we were braiding for a show the next day and smelled smoke early enough to get all creatures out of the barn. It was the entire tack room, hay storage area and jump storage sheds we lost

In the ad for the Ainsley I found the current owner says it’s a good saddle for a small TB or more finely built for a finer pony. I am a little nervous because I’m riding some round QH mares and geldings while I search for my next horse and the husband has a draft gelding (so I don’t ever use my saddles on the big guy).

It will depend on the tree width. I used an Ainsley Chester on my draft X mare for awhile. With a bit of creative flocking it fit her just fine and she is Wide. Hard to know unless you get measurements. I can’t remember what the stamped width of that saddle was but the shape of it was fine for her.

I also know someone who is selling a Kieffer Norbert Koof FL (not me). PM me if you’re interested. Good price, very nice saddle that has an resin (adjustable) tree.

[furlong47]

You may have already done this, but check with your homeowner’s/renter’s insurance. The loss of your saddle is possibly covered.

[copper1]

I just recently donated my beloved Ainsley to a saddle fitter to an autopsy for Pony clubbers learning saddle fit and construction. The tree was broken and just too expensive to repair or replace. I would buy another in a heartbeat if I could find one! It was a total close contact, no rolls or blocks. so comfortable and great leather. I got it for my beefy TB but also used it on some of my Arabians. It fit quite a few horses and everyone wanted to use it. I really miss it!

[SonnysMom]

@furlong47

You may have already done this, but check with your homeowner’s/renter’s insurance. The loss of your saddle is possibly covered.

One of the things I checked with my homeowners is my saddles. If mine were destroyed in a fire or stolen they would be covered even if they were at a boarding barn. They are considered personal property. They would be subject to the deductible. I am sure you lost more than the saddle in the fire. By the time you add the the bridle, pads, girth, trunk, medicines, helmet, martigale etc… you are talking more money than you first think. Talk to your agent, that is what they are there for.

[CScrivEq52]

Our insurance didn’t cover anything we as boarders lost in the fire. We have since updated our insurance a good note for ANYONE to check what their insurance covers… the Ainsley didn’t fit our horses but was a nice saddle. Thank you to everyone for their advice! I ended up with a used Collegiate since I grew up riding in them.