I have the Wintec Pro 2000 Event model. Black, with the suedish type material. Wool flocked.
I have used the heck out of this saddle, yet it barely looks used.
For lower level dressage, it is fine. And IMO, it is a VERY good choice for eventing. You can use it for all 3 phases. If you have a good dressage saddle, and desire to look the part, fine. But if you do not have another saddle, or if their is a time crunch, you can easily ride your dressage test in that saddle. Shorten stirrups a few holes, and you have a secure, yet close contact saddle for stadium and cross country. Mine has the knee blocks that can be moved around.
IF I was only intersted in lower level dressage, jumping, and hacking, I would chose the Wintec. My single complaint about it is that it could be wider in the gullet throughout.
No, the A/P has short billets. At least the 2000 did. The pro has long billets.
Maybe the VSD would be a good option for you? Although I certainly don’t feel like the Pro tipped me onto my crotch. The Isabell did make me feel like my legs were forced back.
Wintec Pro Dressage
I’ve ridden in the Wintec Pro for about 3 years now and it’s held up very well. It does have the CAIR and I would say I would rather have wool flocked. But you can order it with wool flocking. I think the CAIR does feel harder, although it’s never bothered my horse and he is cold backed. You’re better off buying a used good quality saddle like a Kieffer (adjustable trees too) than a cheaper leather…any leather under 1000 I would stay away from (new)…they tend not to be balanced.
Question about Wintecs… I was in a similar situation. I was looking for an affordable home schooling saddle that fit my old mare. My dressage instructor was concerned that there is too much flexing in the wintec saddle. Sure enough when she did the “tree flex” pommel to cantle test on the thigh, it flexed quite a bit. She said she has seen it make a lot of horses sore. We did the same test on her passier, no flex at all. What are your thoughts about the wintec tree flexing? I found a 95 model passier on ebay for around 500 so I have a good saddle for schooling at home but the wintec thing has me puzzled. A LOT of people like them.
Sidenote: My trainer is also an english saddle fitter
If you can find a good used leather one in really good condition, that might be a good idea. If it were me looking, I’d probably try the Wintec Pro dressage saddle, around $600-plus to $700-plus depending on where you get it. It looks like it’d be more comfortable to me than the Isabel (but I used to like that one, too). If you don’t like equisuede, Wintec makes a smooth synthetic one called (I think) the Wintec 500 dressage.
Or if you’re doing low-level dressage, the 2000 (all-purpose) is said to be a great saddle, and you can jump in it too. Most of the people I know who show at low-level dressage and eventing have 2000s.
[QUOTE=txladybug;3168366]
Question about Wintecs… I was in a similar situation. I was looking for an affordable home schooling saddle that fit my old mare. My dressage instructor was concerned that there is too much flexing in the wintec saddle. Sure enough when she did the “tree flex” pommel to cantle test on the thigh, it flexed quite a bit. She said she has seen it make a lot of horses sore. We did the same test on her passier, no flex at all. What are your thoughts about the wintec tree flexing? I found a 95 model passier on ebay for around 500 so I have a good saddle for schooling at home but the wintec thing has me puzzled. A LOT of people like them.
Sidenote: My trainer is also an english saddle fitter[/QUOTE]
The saddle fitter who gave a demo at our farm recently indicated that the CAIR air chambers flex at the center of the seat because there are actually two pockets, one front, one rear, on each side, and that the front & back pockets meet right there under your butt. Where they come together, there’s no real support, just a sort of “joint” between two balloons, so there is flex. I haven’t taken one apart myself to verify this, but it seemed to make reasonable sense.
I was sorry to discover this, as I found the Isabell quite comfy for me. But, horsey said “uh-uh” so we’re in a borrowed Passier right now, which she loves. Getting our own of the same vintage is going to be about $600 used. Not bad.
Rick’s Saddlery ( www.saddlesource.com ) is a great place to try used saddles.
