I’m taking a bunch of used saddles on trial but I’ve also had suggested to me the Antares Spooner model.
Any experiences with it? I usually buy expensive saddles used, but this one is under $3k new. Wondering if I should give it a shot?
There are three at my barn that their riders swear buy. I’ve heard nothing but good about their comfort and ability to fit multiple horses fairly well (trainer rides in one).
I bought a used one about 2 years ago and love it. Used it on leased horses and schoolies with no fit issues that the proper pad couldn’t solve. Very comfy saddle.
2 people at my barn including my trainer got new ones and they love them. The leather is VERY high quality and grippy. Ive not personally tried one but they have nothing but good things to say about them.
I got to ride in one a couple times, I fell in love!! It’s nicely balanced and it put me in the proper position, unlike the Pessoa I ended up with.
My Childeric no longer fit my young guy and the only saddle reps in this province are Antares and CWD. Niether of them had much for used inventory and I wasn’t prepared to go custom. My trainer and another girl at the barn both have Spooners (couple years apart) and I tried both. Put me in a great position, the panels fit him much better than my old Childeric, and the letter was better quality then I thought for a less than 3K saddle. I bought one and would definitely recommend it for other to try.
I bought a used one a couple years ago and I think the leather is fantastic. It fits both my OTTB and my Hanoverian. A barn mate was shopping for a custom saddle and loved my saddle after sitting in it.
There are several people with them in my barn and they seem like great saddles! If you have a “standard” shaped horse and don’t need anything too wonky for yourself, they are the great quality you would expect from Antares for a realistic price point. I wouldn’t hesitate to get one if they fit me at all!
I have one. I absolutely love it–it fits me well and rides really really nicely. It’s a terrific saddle.
Unfortunately it has not fit any of my last 3 horses at all, as they are all really wide. I have a horse on trial right now and it doesn’t fit him either.
Would you like one? 
Great leather.
I believe that’s what I bought a few years ago and called the rep the next day to come back and replace with a custom Antares Jump saddle. If the Spooner works for you, great. It hurt by lower back. Maybe it didn’t work for the horse and that’s why it bothered me. All you can do is try it. I wanted a deeper seat and thicker panels.
Couple folks at the barn have it and love it.
ETA: NM, I just recalled it was a Hampton Classic.
Does anyone know if it comes in a wide tree?
I was offered a medium and a wide to get sent to me - so it must.
[QUOTE=ako;8621316]
ETA: NM, I just recalled it was a Hampton Classic.[/QUOTE]
Antares told me they were the same saddle. Hampton (no longer made) marketed to the East coast and the Spooner (still made) to the west coast.
I have one. It’s a 16" and doesn’t really fit my 17" rump, but my short-backed horse loves it. It was kind of orange when I got it, but I dyed it with Feibings Leather dye and it turned out great. The leather has held up very well. It was my trainer’s daughter’s pony saddle, and then a school saddle. I’ve had it for about 3 years, so it’s maybe 5-7 years old. The tree still seems to be straight, which has been a problem with the non-Spooner Antares in our barn.
I’ve had a recent bad experience with a CUSTOM Antares. In my opinion the quality has really gone downhill. I can only imagine how poorly a stock Antares will fare. Plus I had a problem with my saddle and they won’t return my calls. Hope that helps.
