I originally ordered the saddle with brown trim (since i do hunters not really rated though. I mostly do jumpers & want to start doing rated show this year) & I decided to change it to the ivory but the change didn’t get made. It took me 3 months to get the saddle so don’t know if it is best with the brown anyway. What are you opinions on the colored trim? also wanting to hear from anyone that has gotten one of these saddles regarding should fit. Mine seems tight in the shoulder. Rep said it will relax after 10 or 15 ride. Anyone have any experience with this?
First of all, I have a difficult horse to fit, he has a very wide shoulder and usually a medium wide tree but no matter what I did to modify the mademoiselle, it would slip back drastically. Could it be my horse? Yes, absolutley. But I did do modifications, I sent my saddle back a few times and waited a very long time trying to make it work. Ultimately to my dismay, I sent it back. Loved the saddle, and was quite upset we couldn’t get it to fit my horse. I am a big fan of CWD by the way, I love my all calf… besides my horse I had the issues with, that saddle fits almost anything.
Unless you made the color change after you were told they could guarantee it, why should you get something different than what you ordered?
I also ordered brown but was torn over the ivory. I had no problems with my saddle breaking in, took me maybe 2 weeks but I ride a fair amount for an amateur. My rep still has not come out to check the fit but one of my horses has been pretty vocal that it’s a good fit for him! Almost immediately had better changes, more relaxed and better jump.
Personally, I think the colored trim on the Mademoiselle looks a bit garish, but that’s my opinion. If you ordered ivory (or requested the change be made), then you should get ivory. I don’t tolerate custom orders that are not to spec or custom (or new items) that arrive damaged… not in any price range especially in that price range. Make them remake the saddle and let you keep the current one until the new one is ready.
That bit about relaxing/loosening up after several rides is the typical song and dance from CWD… I don’t know that I buy it, but others say it’s true. Just part of the reason that I would never spend the money on a new CWD.
I personally don’t like the colored piping. I do think the saddles loosen up some in the shoulder…but it may depend on what your front panel is and whether it’s balanced overall correctly. Does it move around when you ride?
