I’m deep in the saddle search and brought this one home on trial today. It seems to be too new to have generated any reviews online. I’m not eventing, but was told it might be a good saddle for me anyway. The measurements make it seem likely it would fit my horse, but who knows.
Has anyone tried the saddle? I’d love opinions. I know the CAIR panels are contentious but I was probably have them flocked.
I ride with a Bates sponsored rider so I saw it before it was released in the US. Aesthetically, I like it. I know she and her husband like theirs. It sounds like it was designed for someone in the average or tall height range, but adjustable for shorties like me. I know a horse who goes well in the Innova also goes well in Advanta - I’ve only ridden in the Innova so can’t comment Advanta comfort wise - he’s put on muscle and dropped baby fat so went from wide/extra wide to medium.
This looks incredibly like my Bates “Bryce Newman” Close contact saddle - Bryce Newman was a very popular event rider in New Zealand. The tree may have been updated to their new synergy tree - but if it is like my close contact saddle, it is very good. Wouldn’t ride dressage in in but very good for jumping and hacking out across country. I used it on my 1/2 TB. my WB (her daughter) and on my newish riding horse. (had to adjust the gullet plate of course). It looks like nothing to sit in but it surprisingly comfortable even on a 30km ride. I don’t have an issue with the cair and, on a close contact saddle, I wouldn’t flock.
It’s official–sold my Voltaire since now I can’t ride in anything but the Advanta, even have done local hunter shows in it and nobody fainted that I was in a monoflap LOL! Life’s too short and rides too few and I got tired of fighting to keep my position in the Voltaire
I typically ride in an old Hermes and an 8-yr old Voltaire Palm Beach which I’ve loved for the security and grippiness over big fences. From the minute I sat in the Advanta I was sold. No other saddle fits me like the Advanta–the flap is really nice and forward, seat is just deep enough to feel secure but not restrictive, the adjustable blocks are incredible and the adjustable stirrup bar lets me move my stirrup leather position just a tad back so I’m in perfect balance (my Voltaire always put me in a chair seat because the stirrup bar was too far forward). Lots of stores are doing test rides on the Advanta–definitely try it out. I’ve never ridden in a monoflap and can’t believe how much I love it on the flat as well as over fences. And lucky me–all 3 of my OTTBs are a green medium-narrow gullet so it fits everyone including me.
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With my last job I got to test ride a lot of new saddles before they went to market, and got to sit in an early test sample of the Advanta. I LOVED it. Unfortunately the Bates jumping saddles don’t fit my horse great, or else I’d own one right now. The leather quality is good, and as long as the saddle fits you well, it’s a really secure seat and puts most people in a correct position especially for fences. Don’t worry about the CAIR panels - they get a lot of bad reviews but the system is actually really fantastic and I recommend reaching out to a Bates rep or someone who really knows the saddle to talk about how they work and the advantages. I own a Bates Isabelle dressage and love the CAIR panels. They’ve held up great for years now, so don’t believe everything you’ll hear about the panels popping too quickly. The saddles are also super easy to shim to get right for your horse’s back. Highly recommend!
