Finding the perfect dressage leathers

[SonnysMom]

So I just bought a new to me Prestige Roma dressage saddle. For the trial I used my 53" jump leathers (yes they are weird size). They are a little short and the ends don’t tuck in the keepers. Before I bought this saddle I would occasionally use my trainer’s Voltaire with 60" stirrup leathers. I felt like a little kid since I needed to wrap them to be short enough and was still on the second from top hole. She has the Smartpak brand.

I am looking for black dressage stirrups, nylon lined with half or 3/4 holes. I am 5’3" with short legs. I would love to find 56" or 58". I hate adding holes to stirrup leathers especially to new leathers. I don’t like having the ends hang too far past the keeper as that looks untidy.

I don’t want to break the bank on price. Calfskin is not necessary.

Any ideas on where to find nylon lined half holed black dressage leathers that are longer than 54" but shorter than 60"? I would love to take advantage of Memorial Day sales if possible.

If I can’t find 56" or 58" then recommendations for decent 60" with half phones will be fine.

[netg]

Do yourself a favor and instead get Bates Webbers.

Best choice I ever made in picking leathers. 28" for your height.

[SonnysMom]

@netg

Do yourself a favor and instead get Bates Webbers.

Best choice I ever made in picking leathers. 28" for your height.

I thought about them so I asked my trainer if she liked Webbers. She doesn’t. She said “Those are such a pain in the …” But she will probably use her saddle when she rides Carson so that may not matter as long as I like them. I only rode in a saddle with the Webbers once. I didn’t like the saddle they were on and we had to wrap them to get them short enough so I doubt I gave them a good trial. Other than my trainer I don’t know anyone who has ridden in the Webbers.

I saw the Riding Warehouse has them. I don’t know if they are eligible for the Memorial Day sale.

[Spud_amp_Saf]

I have the Horze Elite leathers in the 58" length and am very impressed with them for the price.

[emipou]

I like my Red Barn leathers. They are lined with 1/2" holes. No idea what length for you though. I’m about 50ft tall.

[RPM]

Will these do? Passier –
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/pa…waAipFEALw_wcB

These are Prestige –
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/pr…gaAmb4EALw_wcB

Oops – sorry, apparently the Prestige ones are not half-hole. But you could check the site.

[MissAriel]

Gary Mundy - will make you custom leathers in any size/leather/finish for the same price as off the shelf.

gleathershop@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/GarysLeatherShopLLC/

[yaya]

I like the Schleese jumping leathers, they come in black. They are narrow, have half holes, lots of lengths, and are nylon lined. https://schleese.com/product/jumping-leather/

Pricey, but mine have lasted for years and years.

[soloudinhere]

Kavalkade come in 55" and 59" and are available in the RW sale:

http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Kaval…page-KNAP.html

[netg]

@SonnysMom

I thought about them so I asked my trainer if she liked Webbers. She doesn’t. She said “Those are such a pain in the …” But she will probably use her saddle when she rides Carson so that may not matter as long as I like them. I only rode in a saddle with the Webbers once. I didn’t like the saddle they were on and we had to wrap them to get them short enough so I doubt I gave them a good trial. Other than my trainer I don’t know anyone who has ridden in the Webbers.

I saw the Riding Warehouse has them. I don’t know if they are eligible for the Memorial Day sale.

I wonder what she found to be a pain about them? They are super simple to use, and you don’t get a buckle bump under the thigh. Especially for those of us who are short, regular leathers can just be painful.

I like the Bates because the holes don’t go all the way through, so you don’t have to worry about the buckle damaging your boots or saddle. They also have a cover. And a hole at the top so you can roll them up if you like. My trainer and I frequently alternate between his stirrup length and mine, and I frequently adjust stirrup length based on what I’m working on and if I’ve been riding enough - and webbers are FAR more easy to use than regular buckle leathers. My newer pair is just over 5 years old, used 5 times a week on average, and going strong. It has had slight fraying of the nylon lining in one hole.

[soloudinhere]

@netg

I wonder what she found to be a pain about them? They are super simple to use, and you don’t get a buckle bump under the thigh. Especially for those of us who are short, regular leathers can just be painful.

I like the Bates because the holes don’t go all the way through, so you don’t have to worry about the buckle damaging your boots or saddle. They also have a cover. And a hole at the top so you can roll them up if you like. My trainer and I frequently alternate between his stirrup length and mine, and I frequently adjust stirrup length based on what I’m working on and if I’ve been riding enough - and webbers are FAR more easy to use than regular buckle leathers. My newer pair is just over 5 years old, used 5 times a week on average, and going strong. It has had slight fraying of the nylon lining in one hole.

I’m 5’ tall and I hate how you can’t run the stirrups up properly, (hole at the top is too far down from the stirrup bar and they don’t stay put up) plus they are a pain in the a** to make changes from the saddle and don’t have the same adjustment that half hole leathers do.

[kcmel]

@SonnysMom

I thought about them so I asked my trainer if she liked Webbers. She doesn’t. She said “Those are such a pain in the …”

That’s because of me:lol:

[kcmel]

@soloudinhere

I’m 5’ tall and I hate how you can’t run the stirrups up properly, (hole at the top is too far down from the stirrup bar and they don’t stay put up) plus they are a pain in the a** to make changes from the saddle and don’t have the same adjustment that half hole leathers do.

Actually I find it easier to make adjustments from the saddle.

[outerbanks77]

@MissAriel

Gary Mundy - will make you custom leathers in any size/leather/finish for the same price as off the shelf.

gleathershop@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/GarysLeatherShopLLC/

Second this! I just bought two pair from Gary and they are the nicest leathers I’ve ever seen, and were actually less than comparable non-custom leathers. I think I paid $160 for two pairs of 60" edge-stitched half-hole leathers that look like they will last forever.

[Bedina]

I ordered leathers from Gary Mundy last month. I paid by PayPal on a Wednesday and I had them the following Thursday evening. I wish I’d ordered 2" longer to have a bit more to tuck into the keeper, but I’m otherwise very happy with them, and Mr. Mundy was a pleasure to deal with.

[soloudinhere]

@kcmel

Actually I find it easier to make adjustments from the saddle.

Can’t adjust them with your foot in the stirrup unless you lean way down over the horse’s shoulder. Other option is to reel your stirrup in and use two hands to do it. Not my cup of tea.

[kcmel]

@soloudinhere

Can’t adjust them with your foot in the stirrup unless you lean way down over the horse’s shoulder. Other option is to reel your stirrup in and use two hands to do it. Not my cup of tea.

Oh jeez, I never try to adjust with my foot still in the stirrup. But my saddles all have those *# recessed stirrup bars that make it almost impossible to pull out the leathers from the saddle (especially the Stubbens) even without your foot in the stirrups. Or maybe I’m just not that coordinated!

[SonnysMom]

Today is my 50th birthday so maybe I will splurge on the custom Gary Mundy ones. On the other hand the dressage saddle was already a splurge. I was afraid with Gary that since they were custom they would take longer but it doesn’t sound like that is the case. Of course that doesn’t matter since Carson injured himself Again so I can’t use the saddle anyway.

[RPM]

I’m sorry to hear about Carson. I hope that otherwise you have a good birthday!

[billiebob]

I just got my second pair of Gary Mundy leathers and I had them in 9 days. They are BEAUTIFUL and now I just need a dressage saddle to use them on. I’ve been super happy with my jumping leathers. I need extra long ones and these were cheaper than any other options I had – I paid $80 for my dressage leathers. Shorter ones would be cheaper.