Jumping turned dressage riders, did you sell your jumping saddle

[BigBrownHorse180]

I haven’t jumped in a few years. My horse and I have been taking dressage lessons on an off and are enjoying it. I’ve been debating looking for a dressage saddle, but stuck on whether or not to sell my jumping saddle which is a CWD. If I decide to sell it, then it opens the options of what I can afford to get. On the other hand my current jumping saddle is very comfy, and worried I would regret selling it. I also wouldn’t know where to start and what feels right with a dressage saddle. From back issues, I do like a saddle that’s more on the cushy side.

Wondering what other former jumpers have done.

[Scribbler]

I like having both. The different saddles work different muscles. Going for long trot two points on the trails is exercise you don’t do in a dressage saddle.

On the other hand I am sure my dressage saddle, my jump saddle, the other jump saddle my horse grew out of, and the dressage saddle I picked up for the project horse all together are worth less than your CWD so there’s not much to be gained by selling them.

[CobJockey]

I kept my CWD, partially because I was in the same boat as you with not knowing what I wanted in a Dressage saddle, and I would encourage you to take your time on the saddle search. I felt like I’d never sat in a Dressage saddle that fit me before (very petite adult) and I had also never sat in one that made me go “Wow this is it”, so I spent two years trying 45+ saddles from 7 fitters and 14 different brands mostly just trying to figure out what we both liked/disliked.

That whole time I was doing Dressage in my jump saddle, and I ended up showing all the way through Second in my jump saddle, which when my stirrups are Dressage length, mostly just stays neutrally out of my way. It’s only now that we’re working on Third that I felt like I really need the support of a Dressage saddle. And after all that research, when I finally did sit in “The One” it was way easier to write the check than it would’ve been before.

I also just really, really love my SE02 which fits us both insanely well, and we do still continue to jump once a week for fun and variety even though he’ll probably never show O/F again. I would regret selling it, myself. But I’ve definitely been in the position to need to move a saddle in order to buy another one, so I understand that too.

[Jackie_Cochran]

I would keep your jumping saddle, at least for now. It certainly sounds like it both fits you and your horse.

Getting a really expensive dressage saddle right now is not a great idea. Your horse WILL change his back muscles, loin muscles, shoulder muscles, etc., and THE dressage saddle for your horse NOW may need to be replaced relatively soon (year or two?)

In your position right now I would explore the more adjustable dressage saddles like the Wintecs and others that let you change the pommel arch (gullet) and do other fine tunings. A six pocket shimmable pad can also help adjust the fit as your horse develops “new” muscles. This can be considerably cheaper than buying the “greatest dressage saddle for you and your horse” that ends up not fitting your horse correctly in a year or so. That way you can keep your jumping saddle that works so well for you and your horse, after all trail riding can beckon too.

[billiebob]

I’ve also kept my jumping saddle even though I only ride in it a couple of times per month right now. Mine is an older Stubben and not worth much, plus I’m a weird size that makes selling saddles kind of a pain. I will be looking at purchasing a second horse hopefully in the next few years after my guy steps down and the Stubben is a perfect greenie saddle for me.

I also wouldn’t spend a ton of money on your first dressage saddle because it probably won’t be your last. I found that as my position changed so did my preferences in a saddle. I also think it’s slightly easier to find a good deal on a dressage saddle than a higher end jumping saddle.

I will say the cushiest dressage saddle I’ve personally ridden in was a friend’s Laser Trident. A few of the Laser models have Thinline material built into them if that’s something that helps with your back issues. They’re hard to find but you can get them used for a good price. I paid about $900 for my Amulet and it’s brought me from 2nd level to baby PSG in the last 3 years.

[outerbanks77]

You could always get a cheaper jumping saddle. My dressage saddles were more expensive, but I found an almost new Albion AP adjusta tree from the UK for like $1200, so for the little crossrail/grid cross training stuff it is perfect. Before that I had a fairly well-loved Black Country jumping saddle that cost all of $800, but would have lasted a long time getting used a few times per month. Both very comfy and balanced for a fraction of the value of a CWD.

If you’re focusing on dressage, I would definitely take the time to find the right fit and maybe go used. As someone else said, your horse will change a lot (and might no longer fit your jumping saddle) so paying for a brand new high end custom dressage saddle right away might not be the best route.

[2DogsFarm]

I showed Hunters & Dressage in the only saddle I could afford: A/P Stubben Portos.
Deep-seated enough so the Hunter Princesses scoffed.
Did not prevent me winning, including some Champs, Reserves & EOY Reserve AA.
No knee rolls or thighblocks, but schooled to 3rd & showed a couple horses at Training/1st & got some blues.
BNT (O-rated Judge) had no problem giving me a lesson in it.
Though he did suggest in future I might look into a purpose-made saddle.

Also trailrode & Evented - showed BNH, schooled to Training - in the saddle.
It fit a variety of horses over the years.
30+yrs.

I finally sprang for a semi-custom Stubben Dressage model when Old Faithful Did.Not.Fit. my WB.
Lost him & TG, it fits my current horse.

Take your time, keep your saddle & consider a good used Dressage model.

[LCDR]

Luckily I have a niece who started eventing after she finished college, and I was able to pass on a Devoucoux jumping saddle, Jeffries cross-country (really old, an Ian Stark model), and a Baines dressage that no longer fit the current herd. I own another newer Devoucoux jumping saddle that Pelham Saddlery has been trying to sell for me for 3 years, but no takers.

For a newer dressage saddle I went with Custom Saddlery in Aiken. Their rep came out to the barn with a trailer load of saddles, and my trainer and I tried them until we found a used one that fit like a glove - both the horse and me. Then I added another horse with much different conformation, so the rep came out again and we found the perfect saddle for him, new this time.

I like that the 2 Custom Saddlery dressage saddles are wool flocked rather than having foam panels life the Devoucouxs, so they can be tweaked and adjusted on site as the horses’ backs change… .

[SuzieQNutter]

No.

Says owner of 12 saddles…

[sophie]

No.
I feel I can do much more (flat, jump, trail, etc) in my jumping saddle.
The saddle I use for dressage is actually an AP that fits me and my current horse well, and is very comfortable.
I use them both equally, because I like to cross-train myself and my horse even though we are not competing anymore and pretty much only take dressage lessons now.

[Paisley_Pony]

I second this. Also, the Wintec Pro dressage I had a few years ago was extremely cushy, like riding on a sofa. My saddle was similar to this one, except it had regular flaps and not the contour blocks: https://www.pelhamsaddlery.net/dressageadj/wintec24765used.html.

[hoopoe]

I would keep the saddle you have. Since you are not taking lessons / training consistently I would really step back and consider if Dressage is where you wish to head. If so I would get with a trainer consistently and start by trying out saddles they have.

It was not until I started riding dressage from hunters that the truth about saddle fit for both horse and rider came to light. It is a very specific thing. Dressage saddles are made for a wide variety of seat types. There are people who like a more open, flat seat ( me) and others who can deal with the knee and thigh blocked deeper seats ( not me)

Eventually you and your trainer will likely find the type of seat that suits you best. Then you can get with a fitter who understands fitting both the horse and the rider. Personally this is a hands on issue and not something you can adequately do with tracings and on line consults.

get a saddle that is wool flocked and can be adjusted and maintained as you and your horse develop. Avoid air filled panels. My old fitter sad the saddles with the adjustable gullets kept him is business as rarely did riders make the adjustments properly on their own.

Like someone mentioned up thread, When you sit in the saddle that is right for both you and your horse, you will know it. It puts you right where you need to be.

[rulex]

@hoopoe

I would get with a trainer consistently and start by trying out saddles they have.

@billiebob

I also wouldn’t spend a ton of money on your first dressage saddle because it probably won’t be your last. I found that as my position changed so did my preferences in a saddle.

Yes to both those points.

I struggle to find my dressage seat in a h/j saddle, even nice ones like CWDs. Lengthening the stirrups doesn’t help, as the balance of the saddle just wants to put me in a more forward seat. So when I have to ride a horse in a jump saddle, I just accept it and go with the shorter stirrups and more forward seat.

But it’s taken years of riding in a dressage saddle to figure out my dressage seat and it’s still a work in progress.

I have kept my jump saddle as I’d like to be able to play around over fences once on a while.