Jeffries JMX & Prestige Eventer saddles

[butiwantedapony]

I’ve done the search and read all the many threads and still have a question.

How does the Jeffries tree width fit? I am looking at a JMX wide tree - I need something that will fit a variety of horses, typically TB/WB crosses or TB. So, needs to fit a somewhat high wither and large shoulders. Will a wide do this or should I look for a medium?

I’m also looking at a prestige eventer. I’m a bit concerned that this saddle might make me perch a bit - I don’t like the term “forward balance point” because to me that is reminiscent of these french hunter saddles that tend to make me want to throw myself up the horse’s neck over a fence. Anyone have any input?

As for me I am tall with a long leg - I don’t like to ride in an EXTREMELY forward saddle but do need something more forward than the standard jump saddle. Again, looking to fit a variety of horses, so need a pretty generic fit for TB/WB typical build. I do have a few saddles in the tack room to address fitting issues since I realize that 1 saddle can’t fit everything - but looking to buy a saddle that I actually enjoy riding in this time.

UNfortunately I live in no-man’s land for saddle fitting/trying so I can’t ride in these before purchase. I am comfortable with buying and reselling if it doesn’t work (I’ve had to do this about a million times anyways).

[pheasantknoll]

You can trial a Prestige eventer through VTO.

[butiwantedapony]

I’m on a tight budget and a new saddle is out of the question

[Hilary]

I have the Eventer and also an Ainsley Chester - I think the Flyover is more like the Chester (friends with both liked the Flyover’s monoflap) and they have very different balance points.

The best way to describe how I sit in the Eventer is “upright” - when I sit in the Chester, it’s BACK SEAT!

My Eventer is the 34cm tree which is considered Medium for that brand. It fits a variety of horses quite well.

You can do decent flatwork in the eventer, not so much the pure XC saddles.

It’s very comfortable (cushy) as well. You can remove the blocks to make it very close contact if you like.

[HiJumpGrrl]

I LOVE MY EVENTER.

I have had a lot of trouble finding a saddle to fit my long thigh, and this one is great. I can sit upright, or I can get out of the saddle to gallop. It fits my TB great (mine is a 32cm–MN–but the trees can be adjusted 1 size in either direction).

The blocks are sizable, without being in my way. They are movable. Nice leather.

[eventer_mi]

If you’re looking to fit a wide variety of horses, including the high wither-big shoulder type, you’re better off looking at something wool-flocked. Foam panels tend to be thinner so have more difficulty clearing high withers. Wool-flocked saddles can sometimes be adjusted to clear them, usually with the addition of a shim pad (if your saddle doesn’t come with a wither gusset or K panel or trap panel). Wool doesn’t give you quite the close-contact feel of foam, but the adjustability is much, much better. Also, with foam panels, you run the risk of having a hard edge dig into their backs. My boy is a rather easy fit, but prefers wool because the foam panels on some saddles (the less expensive ones, usually) tend to have a squared-off edge that will dig into his back.

[costco_muffins]

I have had the wool flocked MW jeffries fit a huge variety of horses. The medium not so much. This includes skinny TBs with massive withers to my round hunter to your standard fit back. I love the jeffries for how it fits the shoulders and doesn’t pinch the withers.

[FlightCheck]

I love my Prestige Eventer - bought used last year. I also have a very long thigh bone, and this fit is great. You can also move or remove the “blocks” for your knee/thigh. Highly recommend.

[vineyridge]

Unless I’m remembering wrong, a saddle for someone who rides in the style of Caprilli should place the rider over the HORSE’s balance point at the canter/gallop. That means, at least to me, that the balance point should be quite near the horse’s withers. This way when you are in two point (or galloping position) your weight is over the horse’s shoulders and thus affects his/her own balance as little as possible. The whole point of the Caprilli seat is to keep the rider out of the horse’s way as much as possible, on the grounds that the horse will be able to conserve energy if not having to fight against his rider’s balance. That’s why you should want a forward balance point if you are going to gallop.

It does require very strong legs and an independent seat.

[Hilary]

[QUOTE=vineyridge;7574797]
Unless I’m remembering wrong, a saddle for someone who rides in the style of Caprilli should place the rider over the HORSE’s balance point at the canter/gallop. That means, at least to me, that the balance point should be quite near the horse’s withers. This way when you are in two point (or galloping position) your weight is over the horse’s shoulders and thus affects his/her own balance as little as possible. The whole point of the Caprilli seat is to keep the rider out of the horse’s way as much as possible, on the grounds that the horse will be able to conserve energy if not having to fight against his rider’s balance. That’s why you should want a forward balance point if you are going to gallop.

It does require very strong legs and an independent seat.[/QUOTE]

Since this is trending towards the theoretical I will say you are right. You want to be up over the horse center of gravity so he can carry you best.

However, in practice everyone - horse and rider - have their own peculiar preferences. The Chester and other more exaggerated XC saddles work for a few reasons - my one insignificant data point is a horse with no shoulder and so being slightly behind that area was the balance point. She was built in such a way that if you were over her wither, you were wayyyy too far forward. The Prestige was great for show jumping on a nice flat surface and predictable distances. Out on XC the security provided by a less forward balance (probably the more accurate description than backseat) was a godsend. Suddenly I felt effective and safe which meant she felt more secure and jumped better. Also, out on XC over big fences (Int/Adv ****) you need to be less forward over the jumps and you just compensate with your body to be up/forward during the galloping sections.

Does that help? When I changed horses I no longer needed the Chester’s balance, but I have kept it in case I start to need it as more balanced horse move up the levels. It was a little ridiculous that my Training level horse needed a special XC saddle, but it was educational.

[Wee_Dee_Trrr]

I love my Eventer. It has a perfect balance point for me, I’m 5’6" with long legs. I can easily be in 2 point, but can be defensive when I want. I’m on my second one now

[Bogie]

I love the Jeffries JMX. I have the MW for my TB and the Wide for my draft-x mare. One of the nicest, most balanced saddles I’ve ridden in and a bargain for the price on the used market. I am 5’11" with long femurs. I do not feel perched in the saddle. I foxhunt and was hunting my mare in a Schleese monoflap but felt a bit loose in the tack. This saddle is like a seat belt. Great balance, not too restrictive, just puts me in the right place.

[LadyB]

I don’t have a Prestige Eventer, I had a Prestige Roma, hated it, moved to a Prestige Passion D, absolutely loooooooooooove this saddle! Also purchased a Prestige Venus K dressage saddle. My most favourite saddles to ride in. I never want my horse to change.

I really love the brand, really love the quality for the price and my horse loves the saddles too.

[soloudinhere]

My Eventer was my favorite saddle of all time. It didn’t work for my horse but man did I love it.