Frank Baines Saddles-need info-update post 23! Tried the Elegance

[luise]

I am an eventer looking again for a dressage saddle. Some background: I looked around last fall, tried maybe 6 and then gave up. I tried a Black Country Vinici, Butet, Beval, Brunet Pinot Chantilly (something like that), I think a Tony Slater, and I forgot what else. Anyway, the most common problem was that my leg was a bit in front of me, not under me, and to be comfortable my knee was often coming over the flap. The Blacky Country worked the best out of everything, but it still wasn’t ideal. Oh, and for some saddles the twist was too wide. The Brunet Pinot Chantilly was a wonderful grippy leather, but the seat was a bit narrow (felt like the seams were digging into my seat bones), and the thigh block got in the way. So what I am looking for is a close contact/monoflap dressage saddle with narrow twist, minimal thigh block, grippy leather, and stirrup bar that is set a little further back (this is what a saddle fitter told me I needed). My horse is a 15.3h QH/Belgian cross who can fit in a medium tree. Not super wide, but does take up my leg.

So I found the Frank Baines dressage saddles, and I am specifically interested in the Reflex. It looks like it could work, as the thigh block is adjustable, and it looks like the stirrup bar isn’t too far forward. Anyone have any experiences with this saddle? I also thought the Elegance looked interesting as well.

Any other suggestions are also appreciated. (I did search, but didn’t come up with a ton of info on the Frank Baines saddles on this board, but what I did find was encouraging.)

[js]

I had a Frank Baines Capriole dressage saddle, beautiful leather and exceptional craftmanship, flocking was the best I have seen. I couldn’t fault this saddle for any reason. I would certainly recommend any Frank Baines saddle

[ef80]

I’m an avid Baines fan-girl. Everything they make is wonderful. I haven’t sat in a Dressage Reflex, but I have ridden the Close-Contact Reflex and liked it quite a bit.

If you have trouble fitting yourself and/or your horse - the company is typically REALLY GOOD about doing semi-custom work (and not charging anything extra for it!). You may want to find a localish dealer and sit in a demo saddle or two, then see if they can’t come measure your horse and you

[Petstorejunkie]

To me the Frank Baines sits the person just like a Passier, and I am a HUGE passier fan for all the reasons you mentioned. I feel you would be really happy with a Baines.
Let us know what you decide!

[Kit]

Ooh good to see this thread. I am trying the Frank Baines saddles this weekend. But in the meantime, I am trying my friend’s Barnsby Kanter dressage saddle. I must say my horse moves really well in it and it is soooo comfortable. Have you tried the Barnsby’s?

[petitefilly]

I also own one, great saddle. I also have a Black Country which lets the leg down a tad straighter than the FB. You might like this being an eventer, but I found the leg was better for me in the BC. The FB also has a narrower channel in the gullet, it was close on my horse, the BC is very open in the gullet and fits a horse with a prominent backbone better than the FB. Just a few things to consider, but I do own both of them for two different horses and find them extremely comfortable! :):):):)

[js]

[QUOTE=Kit;3063730]
Ooh good to see this thread. I am trying the Frank Baines saddles this weekend. But in the meantime, I am trying my friend’s Barnsby Kanter dressage saddle. I must say my horse moves really well in it and it is soooo comfortable. Have you tried the Barnsby’s?[/QUOTE]

I ride one of my other horses in a Barnsby Luxus, also a lovely saddle, exceptional craftmanship and leather, right up there with Frank Baines.

[mbarrett]

I have a Frank Baines Reflex jumping saddle. It is a lovely saddle. Leather is wonderful, workmanship excellent.

After I started riding in it, my leg position was much better than when I rode in my old saddle. The stirrup bar is in a good position, so my leg isn’t under me or too far in front. My thigh block isn’t adjustable, but my saddle is at least 6 years old. It luckily fits a varitey of horses I ride.

It is a very high quality saddle and should last for many years. I even did a low level event in it (my first event - Tadpole division!) and had no problems.

My advice, sit or ride in as many saddles as you can. Fit of horse, as well as fit of rider is important.

[mjhco]

I now have 3 Frank Baines.

My first dressage saddle (Elegance) is now 9 years old. I ride in it A LOT. I am heavy. And the only flocking work that has been required over the past years has been minor adjusted in the front. Leather is excellent quality. Stitching is excellent.

I bought the Elan jumping saddle because I liked the dressage so much. Again, excellent quality leather and stitching.

Because of my experiences with the first two when I needed another saddle for a NARROW horse, I bought another Baines dressage saddle.

They just work well for me.

[MontanaDun]

With any of those, if you like the saddle otherwise, you may be able to have a saddle put an extended bar on in order to move the stirrup position back under your seat a bit. I ordered my BC with an extended bar and it works great for me.

Good luck!

MD

[Kit]

Sorry, I’m bumping this thread as I tried the FB Reflex and the Elegance. They fitted well but the Elegance gives my horse better clearance over the wither. It was interesting that the XW, W were almost the same gullet width - no noticeable difference actually and we went to the MW. That seems best. Lovely comfortable saddle to ride and my balance felt great. The reflex felt like Iwas riding bare back except I had a seat for my bum. Now if I buy one of these it will have to be imported. Encouraging feedback above but any more on the Elegance please? They are new in this country…

[luise]

[QUOTE=Kit;3088452]
Sorry, I’m bumping this thread as I tried the FB Reflex and the Elegance. They fitted well but the Elegance gives my horse better clearance over the wither. It was interesting that the XW, W were almost the same gullet width - no noticeable difference actually and we went to the MW. That seems best. Lovely comfortable saddle to ride and my balance felt great. The reflex felt like Iwas riding bare back except I had a seat for my bum. Now if I buy one of these it will have to be imported. Encouraging feedback above but any more on the Elegance please? They are new in this country…[/QUOTE]

How would you compare the twists between the two? I prefer a narrow twist, and I was told that the twist on the Elegance is narrower. I like close contact though, so the Reflex appeals to me. Does either have a large thigh block? I prefer a smaller thigh block as the large ones just get in the way.

[Ambrey]

The Frank Baines also come in XXW Not that you need it, but we of the walking sofas need to know!

[Petstorejunkie]

[QUOTE=Kit;3088452]
Sorry, I’m bumping this thread as I tried the FB Reflex and the Elegance. They fitted well but the Elegance gives my horse better clearance over the wither. It was interesting that the XW, W were almost the same gullet width - no noticeable difference actually and we went to the MW. That seems best. Lovely comfortable saddle to ride and my balance felt great. The reflex felt like Iwas riding bare back except I had a seat for my bum. Now if I buy one of these it will have to be imported. Encouraging feedback above but any more on the Elegance please? They are new in this country…[/QUOTE]

Kit, no need to import, my local tack shop carries them.
here: www.atlantasaddlery.com Just call them and see what they can do to help.

[baymare]

I’m glad I found this thread, as I just bought a FB Capriole off eBay. It is a gamble, but at least I know it is a quality saddle and if it doesn’t work for me or my horse(s) I can pass it along without losing my shirt.

www.trumbullmtn.com deals in them and has quite a bit of info on their website. They supposedly come in TEN tree sizes. What sold me on the Capriole was the customer comment saying that they were good for people who had crotch-bumping issues!!

[shamrocker]

I just sat in a Frank Baines saddle today at Pelham Saddlery in NH. What a lovely saddle. I tried the Elegance and the Reflex, loved them both, the Reflex felt really nice. I was really impressed with the craftmanship on these saddles as the Kieffer was sitting there right next to it with a higher price tag. The Euro has bumped up all the European saddles big time. The UK saddles are the better deal right now, hands down.

You can also buy them direct from the UK but it will cost you about $125.00 to ship with VAT etc. So you have to figure this into the price.

[Kit]

Sorry, just got back to this thread…been away. Luise, neither has a large thigh block. The elegance had more wither clearance for my mare but still sat nicely along her back. Big thing - I could keep my butt in the saddle easily at the canter. Just sat there and rocked. yes, I did feel that the Elegance was narrower in the twist. I think that will be ok? I wish I could try them all but saddler only had the Reflex and the Elegance. Do they withstand being used all the time? If it fits, it will be used for all my riding and I expect it to still last and look good for years…

[shamrocker]

The Reflex I sat in at Pelham Saddlery, had a very large thigh block, I know you can get smaller ones, but this one was big and secure! The Elegance is a more traditional thigh block.

[luise]

Well, the Elegance is still on my list to try. Just haven’t ordered a demo yet. Right now I am waiting for a Theo Sommer Egon v. Neindorf to come. If that doesn’t work, perhaps the Elegance will be next.

[luise]

Got some trials

Tried the Sommer Egon v. Neindorff. Beautiful saddle, but flap was too straight. My leg came over it. Oh well. Back it went.
So I got 2 on trial now, the Omni and the Elegance. They are both GORGEOUS. I hope one of them works! Of course I won’t be able to try them until tomorrow!!