I am thinking of buying a nice, used one for my Arab mare. I have heard really good things about them for endurance of course, but I would primarily be using it for lower level jumping and dressage. For those of you that have ridden in one, how suitable would the Solstice be for those purposes? From the pictures, it looks similar to an all-purpose english saddle- what are they like to ride in?
Thanks!
I rode in a demo Solstice when I was saddle shopping for Endurance. It is a really comfortable and well-made saddle with large panels for great weight distribution. However, it puts my legs too far forward and not underneath me enough for my taste. This may be an issue, especially if you want to ride dressage. You should try it out yourself though.
The Arabian Saddle Company also makes an All-Purpose saddle called Sylvan, and that may better fit your needs: http://www.arabiansaddles.com/Arabian_Saddles/Sylvan.html
I have been riding in a Solstice since 2002. I have ridden lots of endurance, and trail, and now riding my gaited horse in it.
I would call it more dressage than AP but not DEEP DEEP like a dressage saddle.
You can do everything in this saddle. You are really “on” the horse. I would cut cattle in this saddle!
I have a wide tree for my arab. My Rocky Mt also wears the same saddle, she is a wide too.
Very secure, and grippy but not overly grippy.
I have ridden dressage in it. It would be appropriate also to show in it. I think for low level jumping you would be fine.
Anybody who has ridden in my saddle really thought it was very comfy.
Get one on trial and see what you think.
