Black Country Etienne compared with other BC models?

[equest]

Hello all,
I’m posting in Eventing because I understand that Black Country saddles tend to be most often favored among eventers. I’m an HJ rider who likes wool flocked saddles, however, so they are at the top of my saddle search list.

I have searched for posts on the Etienne, which is apparently a newer model and has not been discussed. Can someone tell me the differences among the models? I’m looking for a fairly shallow seat depth, and this saddle seems to fit the bill. I like the look of the knee and thigh blocks as well - they are there, but not as obtrusive as the Innovation or Solare models.

My horse is a fairly medium wide back, fairly flat with a prominent wither. He does have a pretty substantial shoulder.

Your thoughts?

[sheltona01]

That tree is particular to that saddle, so the others are going to slightly different. It is build on a close contact style tree with a low cantle.

Another model you might want to look at is the Dante, which is new this year. People are loving it. It is a shallower seat on a close contact tree, with a narrow twist area for the rider. The other saddle to think about is the Quantum, I know a couple of Hunter riders that ride in it.

[jaybird660]

It would be helpful to see photos. The Etienne is not one of the newer models. You might like the Dante, Quantum, Solare or Ricochet. The Quantum or the Dante, both built on the close contact tree are a bit straighter longitudinally than the Ricochet and might be the best bet.

[whitney159]

So I have a young ISH with a big shoulder and wide, flat back. I’m not quite ready yet to buy, but have been thinking about a Quantum, quite possibly the quantum X with the more open tree. I like a wider twist (my dressage saddle is an Albion with a pretty wide twist), and having a wider pelvis, would love a seat that’s just a bit wider. At Rolex I sat in a few Amerigo jumping saddles (didn’t get the chance to sit in a black country, the booth was mobbed when I went by there). I liked the DJ in the Amerigo because it was just a touch wider than their other close contact saddles, for my own comfort. I was wondering how the quantum ran. I know the Wexford is said to be wider and cushier, wide sounds good, but I’m not looking for an all purpose. anyone care to comment?

[connemarafan]

I have a Wexford, it’s honestly the comfiest saddle I’ve ever sat in and I don’t move, I definitely feel sat “in” it rather than perched on top if that makes sense. Can’t say enough good things about it and my mare loves it too. She’s a draft X but fairly narrow. She’s in a medium ATM and I never have any issues with her back.

[equest]

[QUOTE=jaybird660;8804861]
It would be helpful to see photos. The Etienne is not one of the newer models. You might like the Dante, Quantum, Solare or Ricochet. The Quantum or the Dante, both built on the close contact tree are a bit straighter longitudinally than the Ricochet and might be the best bet.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, Jay. I took a look at the instructions on your website and will be Taking photos of my boy (and myself in the saddle) this weekend, and I will send them to you.

[Glorybee]

I just bought a Dante and love it. The solare is nice as well, but I liked the Dante better. I heard the Ricochet is good for horses with a wide shoulder.

[no.stirrups]

The Etienne is a pony saddle. Which might be fine, depending on the shape of your mount. I think that if you like the flatness of the Solare you would find the Ricochet and Wexford too deep. I would suggest the Dante, or order a Solare with velcro blocks, or customized blocks, or both!

whitney159, if a wide seat is what you want, the Wexford is most likely to fit the bill among the Black Country saddles, but Harry Dabbs saddles have wider seats in general than Black Country, with the Avant Extra being especially wide.

[equest]

[QUOTE=no.stirrups;8806688]
The Etienne is a pony saddle. Which might be fine, depending on the shape of your mount. I think that if you like the flatness of the Solare you would find the Ricochet and Wexford too deep. I would suggest the Dante, or order a Solare with velcro blocks, or customized blocks, or both!
.[/QUOTE]

It turns out the saddle (a 17.5) is a Solare model. It was just mis-listed. I purchased it for trial and am looking forward to trying it.