Difference between types of jumping saddles?

[SheckyG]

I wasn’t sure which forum to post this in - but I figure eventers would be a good group for advice. I’m shopping for a used jumping saddle, and see jumping type saddles advertised in all-purpose, cross country, hunter/jumper, and fox-hunting categories.

Can anyone explain the difference between those types? The cross country saddles seem to be lighter, with a shorter more forward cut flap. Other than that, I can’t seem to tell the difference between the types. I’m just wondering which saddles out of the different categories I should consider for my purposes.

I’m a generalist amateur rider who likes to do beginner level schooling shows (dressage, hunter, horse trials). Since taking up riding again as an adult, I haven’t jumped over 2’6" and I never plan on jumping more than about 2’9". I really don’t need a specialized or fancy saddle - just one that will fit my horse well and work for me.

My dressage saddle is a Passier Nicole Grand Gilbert and it fits my horse beautifully. My guy is a TB with withers that are not particularly high, but a little long, and he has a fairly wide spine.

[subk]

The main difference in types of jumping saddles is how short are the stirrups going to be and how that affects its balance. You see cross country saddles with a more forward cut because they are designed so that there is room for the knee as the stirrup goes up–most people ride XC a hole or two or three shorter than where they ride SJ. H/J are not cut so forward because the tendency there is to jump with a pretty long stirrup. Fox-hunting saddles are made to be a bit deeper with lots of padding/rolls for security and comfort of long hours sitting in the saddle. All-purpose try to split the difference so the balance is such that you can do both dressage and jumping.

Lots of it is just marketing and whatever the “in thing” is for a particular disipline.

All purpose is really no-purpose. Not quite right for either and I don’t recomend them. As for the rest security comes from a balance that fits the horse and fits you not from a bunch of padding–although that padding might feel nice nothing stabilizes you as well and having a saddle that puts your leg in just the right place. The mono-flaps tend to be more of a eventing thing supposedly a closer connection to the horse.

If you are never going to jump over 3’ don’t worry so much about what kind you get. Go for fit! Fit for your horse and fit for you and you should be good to go. Already knowing that the Passier NGG is a good fit for your horse gives you a great starting place! A good saddler or used saddle outlet should be able to make some suggestions to get you started, then ride in as many saddles as you can.

[SheckyG]

Thanks, Subk - that explanation makes a lot of sense. I wish I had taken note of the types of jumping saddles I’ve used and liked in the past. I loved the old Passier Baum jumping saddles - the ones that were not too deep, a little hard/firm in the seat but had a flexible tree and had a minimal knee roll/padding. I could ride in that saddle ALL day - flat or jumping or trails - short or long stirrups or no stirrups - and felt like it was literally made for me.

However, the channel on those oldies is far too narrow for my guy’s spine. I took one out on trial and it was just obviously a no-go without even putting it on his back.

[luvdogz72]

@subk;8216310

Lots of it is just marketing and whatever the “in thing” is for a particular disipline.

that’s for sure!

[vineyridge]

The balance point in the seat is different in different types of jumping saddles. You want to find a saddle that will put you in a position so that your weight will end up over the horse’s shoulders when you are in jumping position over the jump. German saddles often have a balance point that is farther back than in a true forward seat saddle. Peter Menet (sp), the designer for some of the Prestige saddles (and some others as well) designs a true forward seat saddle. One of the points to look for for a forward seat saddle is that the deepest part of the seat will be farther forward than in some of the German saddles. I personally think a true forward seat saddle is best for jumping if you were trained in the American style.

[Larbear]

You might want to check out a used Passier Wellington saddle. My dressage saddle for my ottb is a Passier Nicole Grand Gilbert and I found the Wellington fit really well.

The Wellington has a tiny knee block and barely notice it (I hate big knee roles and blocks), the seat is pretty flat and the channel is decent width. It has gusseted panels and wool flocked as well. I used to jump in a Crosby PDN - no frills saddle and loved it but it didn’t fit my guy great (narrow channel).

I love my Passier Wellington and find it very comfortable!

[Bogie]

IME, the true XC saddles tend to put you in a more defensive position – making it easier to put your feet on the “dashboard”. They generally have a more forward flap and a flatter seat. If you are not jumping XC you may find that you fight the tack a bit to keep your legs under you and end up riding in a chair seat.

More conventional jumping saddles will keep your leg more under your body and will have a less aggressively forward flap.

Seat depth, flap cut and the position of the stirrup bars are very much a matter of personal choice and your physical conformation.

I have a very long femur so I look for a more forward flap and bars that are set back further.

I like both kinds of saddles but use them differently – I often hunt in a xc saddle (I have a Kieffer monoflap) because I’m going to be riding in a half seat a lot of the time, but my daily ride in a more conventional jumping saddle because I like to ride a bit longer.

Although many A/P saddles aren’t great, there are some really good ones too. I used to have an Albion Original Comfort that was a very versatile saddle for jumping up to about 2’6"; currently I have a Swiss saddle that’s very much like a Roosli – again, it’s very versatile and I like having it in the barn. Many people I know hunt in the older Stubbens, which have an A/P flap . . . it’s really a matter of personal preference.

[jaybird660]

This can be confusing. A close contact or jump saddle is typically, a more streamlined saddle with a forward flap with a square cantle. All purpose can have a more dressage, VSD flap or a forward flap. They tend to have round cantles and often a dee rings on the side of the cantle. Some are perfectly suitable for fox hunting or eventing but can be a little deeper seated for the jumpers. Hunt seat or saddles for Hunters have to have a square cantle and typically, for rated type shows, brown with no dee rings. The confusing part is when they say event flap because saddlers usually mean a straighter flap, not an eventing saddle. An event saddle may have a more forward flap or an extended cantle.

[SheckyG]

[QUOTE=Larbear;8216593]
You might want to check out a used Passier Wellington saddle. My dressage saddle for my ottb is a Passier Nicole Grand Gilbert and I found the Wellington fit really well.

The Wellington has a tiny knee block and barely notice it (I hate big knee roles and blocks), the seat is pretty flat and the channel is decent width. It has gusseted panels and wool flocked as well. I used to jump in a Crosby PDN - no frills saddle and loved it but it didn’t fit my guy great (narrow channel).

I love my Passier Wellington and find it very comfortable![/QUOTE]

Thanks - I will be on the lookout for a Wellington to try. Don’t see many out there currently in 17" or 17.5 M. I read that the Wellington is the predecessor to the Precision, so I might look at those, too. Since we seem to have similar saddle fit issues, have you ever tried a Dominus on your horse? I see a couple used out there at a good price and have heard good things about that saddle.

[Larbear]

[QUOTE=SheckyG;8217100]
Thanks - I will be on the lookout for a Wellington to try. Don’t see many out there currently in 17" or 17.5 M. I read that the Wellington is the predecessor to the Precision, so I might look at those, too. Since we seem to have similar saddle fit issues, have you ever tried a Dominus on your horse? I see a couple used out there at a good price and have heard good things about that saddle.[/QUOTE]

I think I tried a Dominus dressage saddle but I’m not 100% sure. I tried just about every saddle in the shop and the Passier dressage saddle was the last one (was put off by the price tag). Everything else seem to rock on him (narrow build) except the Passier. For jump saddles, I only tried a couple (Tony Slater and Stubben) before biting the bullet and going with the Passier Wellington. I could feel a big difference in my horse (seemed more comfortable with it) when I rode in it compared to the other jump saddles I had tried. I don’t see that many in use but I love mine. I did throw my old PDN on him about 2 years ago and he was not a happy camper with it!

Not sure where you are located but I think there were a couple listed on Pelham Saddlery web site (used).

[SheckyG]

[QUOTE=Larbear;8217869]
I think I tried a Dominus dressage saddle but I’m not 100% sure. I tried just about every saddle in the shop and the Passier dressage saddle was the last one (was put off by the price tag). Everything else seem to rock on him (narrow build) except the Passier. For jump saddles, I only tried a couple (Tony Slater and Stubben) before biting the bullet and going with the Passier Wellington. I could feel a big difference in my horse (seemed more comfortable with it) when I rode in it compared to the other jump saddles I had tried. I don’t see that many in use but I love mine. I did throw my old PDN on him about 2 years ago and he was not a happy camper with it!

Not sure where you are located but I think there were a couple listed on Pelham Saddlery web site (used).[/QUOTE]

Just wanted to say thank you so much for the recommendation -I finally got my hands on a Wellington in good condition, fits him great, and I love it and feel super balanced and secure in it. It feels very versatile - great jump saddle for the small stuff I do, and I can drop the stirrups and do dressage / flat work.