Avante Saddles?

[Ceylon_Star]

Anyone familiar with Avante saddles? There is one for sale semi locally that I might look at to replace my ancient Collegiate Event because it seems the tree may finally be dying on it. The Avante apparently has an exchangeable/adjustable gullet but I can’t find info on how it is adjusted or where to find replacement parts.

It’d be used by others who ride my cob, since I don’t do jump saddles. And since my current rider of 2 years is moving out of province next week and is taking her saddles with her, the only other saddles I have to offer are my 40 year old Passier dressage and my western.

If the Avante is something I should avoid, can anyone help me find a wide to extra wide Passier, Stubben, Collegiate, or similar older but well made saddle in the under $400CAD range? I don’t have tons to spend on a new saddle right now, but it’s hard to find a new rider when I don’t have something they can use comfortably…

[gumshoe]

I’d stick with the 40 year old Passier.

I believe Avante saddles are only sold at Pleasant Ridge in Ontario. They are very low quality saddles. I saw one for sale recently close to me and the seat was so wrinkled I would bet the tree is broken.

I just had a look at Pleasant Ridge’s website and it looks like they are no longer selling this saddle. You will be hard pressed to find the parts you need to change the gullet, however that is done.

[Ceylon_Star]

That’s what I figured. Oh well.

Now to find me a 17 or 17.5 passier jump with a 29cm tree. It’s hard enough getting interest in an unpopular style horse without a big show record, let alone without an appropriate saddle. Seems hj riders out here aren’t willing to even try a horse unless there is a jump saddle to use. Ugh.

[Cabaret_SK]

The Avante’s are complete garbage.

Have you tried calling the Tack Collector in Calgary? She has a ton of saddles in stock, and allows trials.