Looking at used saddles I ran across a lovely Bliss of London Paramour in a price range I can live with. I’m not familiar with these saddles and haven’t found a ton of information on them. Does anyone ride in one (or the Loxley)? I was actually on the hunt for a used Black Country, how do these compare?
I’ve never ridden in a black country, but I have dressage and jump loxleys saddles. The jump saddle a friend was trying to sell and she convinced me to try it. I had never heard of the brand but the saddle leather was so nice I gave it a try. It fit me well and I’m a little picky! Easy to adjust to my horse with minor flocking adjustments. I liked it so much, a year later when I was in the market for a dressage saddle, I specifically looked for a loxley. Found a barely used one, that was very reasonably priced and I love it.
The leather and construction is quality and in my opinion just as nice as Voltaire or the other, much more expensive high end brands.
I had a Loxley by Bliss. Lovely well made saddle but I found the twist was a bit too wide for me…
I’m a fan of Black Country, but never having ridden in a Bliss of London, I can’t compare them.
I have ridden in a friend’s Loxley by Bliss…fabulous saddle…very comfy to ride in…and also fits her very hard to fit horse. If it is a good price, I would go for it.
Black Country Mega Fan. Haven sat in Loxley by Bliss.
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It may be older Black Country saddles are different, but I bought a new one 4 years ago (I think, maybe 3). I’m very very disappointed in the leather and/or craftsmanship.
First, something “popped” in the panels. Luckily within the first 1 year so it was under leather warranty, so it was repaired. Then, the seat seams started to thin and wear out within the 2nd year, and now the seat will have to be replaced.
Very frustrating since I had requested the thicker smooth leather to help it age better. I had a 20+ year old saddle that looked better (and was sold to its next owner!). This saddle looks worse.
I’ve owned both Black Country and Loxley saddles (both close contact jumping saddles, however), and personally preferred the Loxley for the quality, construction, and customization options. (I had cross-stitching and rhinestones set in the back, it was lovely! I’d say the Loxley was also more comfortable and supported a more correct position. As another person mentioned, I did find that they do have a wider twist than some others - but I was also fitting a mare who was basically a barrel on legs.
HOWEVER - I have found that selling the Loxleys to be very difficult because they are not well known despite being a well-made brand… I lost over 50% of the value of the saddle when it hadn’t had much use.
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@Allusion do you feel like the twist on the Loxley was wider than your Black Country? I have back issues and before I switched to dressage I sat in a friends Schlesse jump saddle that rode much wider than I was accustomed to and it gave me instant problems with my sciatica. That made me super nervous about wider twist saddles. I’m finding it’s tough to adjust to the difference in twist and seat when I’m used to riding in French jump saddles lol
Thanks for the feedback everyone!
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FWIW, Nikki from Bliss used to work for Black Country. She left and developed Bliss. As far as the twist goes, Bliss has a Slimtech twist option. I was eyeing a used saddle with it, so they’re out there and it’s probably an option you could order on the saddles I’d imagine.
The twist this is weird for me, I’ve ridden in some wide twist saddles that I’ve liked, and some that I’ve hated. Same for narrow twist. I’m not 100% sure why that it is. I just ride in what works for me.
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I’ll be honest, I owned both about 5+ years ago at this point and can’t recall with any definitive clarity, but I do remember my Loxley being much more comfortable to ride in, for what it’s worth… and I love a narrow twist (HATE hate HATE wide twists) - also, the calf leather was quite lovely.
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