Help a broke girl out 😂
I have recently started to dip my toes into the world of western pleasure. Trainer and friends all ride in blue ribbons. Naturally I have loved every one I’ve sat in, but as a newbie and not fully committed to western I’m
not ready to spend that kind of money on a saddle. I would love to find something that has that similar feel to the blue ribbon (br tree) with out that br price tag. Currently I’m looking to spend less than 1k. Do you all have any recommendations for brands to look for? And not like I have to say it but I’d rather buy quality used than a double t or any of the other cheap brands.
Look for a used Blue Ribbon work saddle. Won’t have the silver, but there are a handful of people showing at the highest levels even in saddles without silver. The feel is more important than the silver.
There are other quality brands, but each has their own unique feel. Harris, Bob’s, and Wanger are the most popular. There are others that are just as nice, but don’t have the name. Even across the same brand not all saddles ride the same. Preferably you should try to sit in a saddle before you buy it. The ground seats are hardly ever the same in hand made trees
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I have been with out much success. Many even early 90s are still over my budget.
Look into a Bob’s or a Wenger. Harris and Blue Ribbon are champagne and you need to look more for a beer budget. A used Chavez might be an option also.
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Thank you!
Be sure to sit in a Chavez before you buy one, they are very different from a blue ribbon. You’re right about prices. I sold an 18 year old saddle with minimal silver and some damage that was cosmetic for $1400.
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Bob’s or maybe a Billy Cook. The Oklahoma ones not the Billy Cooks made in Texas
Something to consider is to watch for a Rios. He was actually the maker for many of the older blue ribbons. Sometimes cowdog saddles will have a nice used one close to your budget
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Don’t discount something a half size or so too big either - it’s very common to pad a seat “down” a half size.
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I have a Billy Royal? or Billy Cook but it is older, way older and was made by Rios I think when they made some of those in the very beginning. If you watch Ebay you can spot them at times. They have classic tooling and minimal silver. But similar seat to a blue ribbon.
I didn’t get anything. Try again?
Just sent it, lol. Look again ðŸ˜
