Is this really a steal of a deal? Blue Ribbon Saddles

[HenryisBlaisin]

I was perusing the consignment saddles at the local tack store the other day and found this saddle–it’s obviously older–my guess is 1980’s or so. It’s brown (bonus!), fairly shallow seat, plain flap, pencil knee roll. The seat is kind of tapered at the back, like a close contact jumping saddle, but rounded at the cantle, like an AP or dressage saddle…pretty old school. Sat on it on the dummy and presto! Fit me much better than my current Schleese, which is too big (I lost a lot of weight recently) and puts me in a chair seat. In this one, my leg is underneath me and I’m not swimming.

It’s got the harder seat that older saddles do, but that doesn’t bother me; so does my cc. The panels are not as squishy as my Schleese (which is flocked, not flair) but are not misshapen or anything. They appear to be wool flocked, not foam, but I could be wrong. I took it on trial, and it fits my horse well. It’s not the custom fit of the Schleese, but it looks like it actually sits better on his back, so…

Anyway, the price tag was…$50. There’s no damage to the tree that I can see or feel, the stitching is all in great shape. The tag says Made in England for Blue Ribbon Leather Company Shelbyville, Tenn.

All I can find on the company online is that they also made cutback saddles for saddle seat that were considered quite good, and saw a few old cc/AP style saddles for sale. There were also some ads with people looking for old ones. From looking at it, it’s probably a medium quality saddle…the leather reminds me of the old Crosbys and it’s better than the Argentine saddles of the same age.

Does anyone know anything about this brand or their dressage models? Is it worth my $50?

[GoForAGallop]

It’s another in the collection of small name English-made saddle brands that can be found for a good bargain… Antill, Crosby, Blue Ribbon, Gold Medal, Loriner, etc.

If you like it as much as you say, and it’s in good shape, it’s definitely worth the $50. I would go into it knowing that you are going to spend another $200 to get it completely reflocked with new wool, however. I wouldn’t trust the wool that’s in there now.

I still think it’s a good deal for $250, it’s not going to die on you anytime soon.

[Puddin_Pie]

I can’t speak to the dressage saddles, but I loved my cutback blue ribbon saddles from the late 1980’s. They were very well made. They also made lovely strap goods. Sadly, they have gone out of business. It probably has a tag saying made in Walsall England, possibly with the actual saddler’s name on it.