Circle Y saddles

[Draftmare]

I have “officially” converted to western dressage, and have been riding my mare western for the past couple of months. I currently have an older Circle Y saddle that fits her amazingly, but doesn’t fit me so good. I have finally “come to terms” with the fact that I really do need a 17 inch seat. I really love my Circle Y, but I keep hearing the newer Circle Ys are junk? Is this true? Now that I know a little bit more about western saddles, I am looking for something a bit more specific. I would like a butterfly style skirt, roughout jockeys and fenders, and would prefer a smooth leather seat. I need a 17 inch seat, and my mare needs an 8 inch gullet. There are a couple of newer Circle Y saddles that fit that criteria, but I don’t want to spend a good chunk of change for something that isn’t going to last.

Or does anybody have any suggestions for a saddle (new or used) that fits that and is under $2000?

[gooberethics]

I have a 1995 (or 1998…can’t remember) Circle Y Park and Trail that is FANTASTIC. I’ve only ever seen the newer ones in stores and they seem to be pretty good quality.

However, I think nothing is made quite like it used to be anymore. You should be able to find many older Circle Y’s for sale online…have you tried that and seeing if you can find any that fit your criteria? You could just try to sell your Circle Y and get an older one that fits you better, but still fits your horse.

[MoonWitch]

I have one that is gorgeous with beautiful tooling. I’m selling for $500 but don’t know if it’s what you’re looking for. I’ll get pictures and post!

[Stushica]

Two of my friends have two different new (1-6years old) Circle-y saddle’s and both saddles seem very nice. One is a trail model and the other is a flex tree. Granted, they aren’t my old circle Y from 40 years ago but to me the differences aren’t things that I would bash them about. Such as, I can pick up both of their saddles without getting a hernia, unlike my saddle with a smaller seat. I also don’t think that the tooling isn’t as quality as the old saddles but they still look nice and the new leather seems to break in nicely and be pretty soft.

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=MoonWitch;8327837]
I have one that is gorgeous with beautiful tooling. I’m selling for $500 but don’t know if it’s what you’re looking for. I’ll get pictures and post![/QUOTE]

I will look at it if you get pictures. Since I have a saddle that technically works, I am not in a huge rush and am going to be a bit specific about what I want.

I have been looking at the Julie Goodnight Circle Y saddles, and just came across another Park and Trail like mine, but with cutaways under fenders and in a 17 inch seat. I would really like to stick to this brand since I know it works for both of us. I have found the twist on other brands to be too wide for me.

[Flash44]

I only have Circle Y, and love them. The Flex2 tree is great. I have the Julie Goodnight Monarch Arena saddle, and do just fine showing locally in it, and it’s great for trails too.

At horsesaddleshop.com, you can find templates to help you judge which width tree will be best for your horse, and their customer service people seem to be very well informed.

The newer saddle are lighter weight, and many of them come with comfort features like softee fenders that are pre turned. They are wonderful right out of the box.

[Draftmare]

Oh yeah, Horse Saddle Shop is great to work with, and they have so much useful information on their website. I have called them in the past and they were super nice and really seemed to know their saddles.

I really like this one, and it fits everything that I am looking for: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/circley-canton-saddle.html#.VgLKyPnBzGc

I like this one also: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/circley-shooting-floor-model-uscy3032.html#.VgLKl_nBzGc

[Ridinwyoming]

What Flash44 said. Love my Monarch saddle. No squeak!

I also have a Crates Ladies Reiner. Fits me great, it’s a little on the heavy side. I need to use it more often to break it in but find myself using the Circle Y saddle instead.

[fordtraktor]

I don’t have what you need, I have an older Western Pleasure show saddle but OMG, Circle Y prices have apparently really gone up!!! Glad I clicked on this thread before I sold mine!

[Draftmare]

Used they go for between $400-$600 depending upon wear and tear. I don’t know if I will buy new. It would be nice to have the luxury of trying before buying, but I have noticed that they don’t seem to hold their value once they leave the store. Newer models I am seeing for between $1000-$1200 on eBay and Horseclicks.

[Flash44]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8328172]
Oh yeah, Horse Saddle Shop is great to work with, and they have so much useful information on their website. I have called them in the past and they were super nice and really seemed to know their saddles.

I really like this one, and it fits everything that I am looking for: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/circley-canton-saddle.html#.VgLKyPnBzGc

I like this one also: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/circley-shooting-floor-model-uscy3032.html#.VgLKl_nBzGc[/QUOTE]

I don’t know that the mounted shooting saddle would be great for western dressage, I think it’s made similar to a barrel saddle, which is built for speed and turns. You might want to research the difference between the different types of saddles, ie reining, cutting, pleasure, trail, etc so you get one that will put you in the proper position for dressage.

[Ridinwyoming]

It’s not under $2,000 but Circle Y does have a western dressage saddle http://www.circley.com/product-category/saddles-new-2014/western-dressage/

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=Flash44;8328620]
I don’t know that the mounted shooting saddle would be great for western dressage, I think it’s made similar to a barrel saddle, which is built for speed and turns. You might want to research the difference between the different types of saddles, ie reining, cutting, pleasure, trail, etc so you get one that will put you in the proper position for dressage.[/QUOTE]

I wasn’t really sure what made a mounted shooting saddle a mounted shooting saddle. I am not super hot on the seat and jockeys all being one piece anyway, and I really want a smooth leather seat. The cutting saddle that I linked hits all of my wants minus the butterfly skirt, but it has cut aways under the fenders so that works too.

@Ridinwyoming;8328767

It’s not under $2,000 but Circle Y does have a western dressage saddle http://www.circley.com/product-category/saddles-new-2014/western-dressage/

I have seen those and think the knee block is a bit silly! Plus I want something I can take to open shows.

[BuddyRoo]

I have a Circle Y Park and Trail circa 1992 bought new and it is awesome. But IIRC, the company was bought out and they’re not making 'em like they used to. I’d just try a few different things. See what feels good.

[Draftmare]

I feel like nobody is making them like they use to. My first western saddle back when I was showing breed stuff was a Billy Cook, so when I decided to go the western dressage I immediately flocked to the brand. Tried a brand new one a friend got accidentally stuck with and the saddle is not anything like how I remember my show saddle years ago.

Does anybody know anything about Rocking R saddles? The few reviews I found seem to be positive. I wish this wasn’t a training saddle, I like the cut of it, just not so much the extra big d-rings: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/training-saddle-rocking-r.html#.VgPZT_nBzGc
I like this one too: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/rocking-r-cutting-saddle1.html#.VgPZg_nBzGc

[fordtraktor]

I think you ought to consider an equitation/horsemanship model. I would want something that keeps your leg right underneath you as is correct for dressage instead of out in front of you like a lot of the western saddles are built to do with their relaxed feel or, with cutting and reining, they need that for self-preservation. an equitation/horsemanship saddle will help you out. Just my two cents, I used to do the AQHA all around stuff as a kid and my brother rode reiners. I hated his saddle even after I inherited his horse when he quit riding. It looks a lot like the ones you are posting but its balance point wanted to keep my feet out in front of me which is all wrong for ear hip heel straightness, and I think you will fight that. Ride in them first if you can because nothing is worse than fighting a saddle that is always pulling your body out of alignment.

[Flash44]

I had a Rocking R, it did not fit my Qhs well, the regular tree was too narrow compared to the Circle Y Flex2 tree. But the brand does get good reviews.

[beau159]

By happenstance, I’ve only ever used Circle Y saddles. And it is true that the craftmanship is not what it used to be 20 or 30 years ago. But they are still nice saddles. I certainly would not call them junk.

[QUOTE=Draftmare;8327638]
I would like a butterfly style skirt, roughout jockeys and fenders, and would prefer a smooth leather seat. I need a 17 inch seat, and my mare needs an 8 inch gullet.

Or does anybody have any suggestions for a saddle (new or used) that fits that and is under $2000?[/QUOTE]

Keep in mind that gullet is NOT the only factor you have to consider. The angle of the bars, the rock, twist, flare, etc will all influence the fit.

If you need a wider saddle, I really like my Circle Y Flex2 WIDE saddle. I barrel race so I have the Lisa Lockhart version. I have two very beefy Quarter Horses and I just love how that saddle fits.

They are going to be at the top end or your budget (new) but you can find them used.
http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/cirlcey-flex2-trail-saddles.html

Of course, whatever you end up trying, make sure you can RETURN IT! You’ll need to be 100% sure it fits your horse. And you won’t know that until you try it on.

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8329489]
I think you ought to consider an equitation/horsemanship model. I would want something that keeps your leg right underneath you as is correct for dressage instead of out in front of you like a lot of the western saddles are built to do with their relaxed feel or, with cutting and reining, they need that for self-preservation. an equitation/horsemanship saddle will help you out. Just my two cents, I used to do the AQHA all around stuff as a kid and my brother rode reiners. I hated his saddle even after I inherited his horse when he quit riding. It looks a lot like the ones you are posting but its balance point wanted to keep my feet out in front of me which is all wrong for ear hip heel straightness, and I think you will fight that. Ride in them first if you can because nothing is worse than fighting a saddle that is always pulling your body out of alignment.[/QUOTE]

I have noticed that, especially in cutting saddles. I have that issue right now in my current saddle. When I tried the Billy Cook reining saddle though I felt amazing, but it was also a bigger seat size. I am open to all types of saddles, I just really want the cut away or butterfly skirts, and I haven’t seen many show saddles with that feature. I have been eyeballing Dale Chavez, but I have never seen the brand in person so that makes me leery.

@Flash44;8329612

I had a Rocking R, it did not fit my Qhs well, the regular tree was too narrow compared to the Circle Y Flex2 tree. But the brand does get good reviews.

Funny you should mention that, I thought the trees looked a bit narrow, but they are made on Steele trees so I was hoping that they could use one of their wider tree options. Not sure if the company is willing to do that or not though.

I reached out to the lovely people at Horse Saddle Shop. They want me to use the templates and then will help me narrow down some choices.

[Flash44]

They are lovely! I made my templates out of file folders, which are kind of flimsy, and it was a bit of a challenge when I put them on the horses because it was windy. I think they recommend you use cardboard. Now I know why!