Lovatt & Ricketts saddle experts - what are all these Imperial models?

[Heinz_57]

In my saddle hunt I’m running across a LOT of saddles that have the L&R buttons and plates near the stirrup bar, with “L&R” stamped on the sweat flap with “Imperial” below that - in all different styles. When I emailed the company to ask about history on a particular saddle with the Imperial stamp, I was told that these saddles were made for a wholesaler that is no longer in business and they could not provide me with any info Re: the saddles themselves. They are older style saddles and appear to be well made, but I’m a titch confused about the wholesaler thing since they are branded L&R (but are not “real” L&R?).

So are these low-end “budget” saddles, the kind you find in an “english starter pack” and of similar quality to the Essex All-Purpose saddle I purchased out of the SLT catalog for $80 in 1997? :lol:

[ChestnutArabianMare]

No clue on the wholesaler thing, but I have one of the “Imperial” models that I got off eBay for $200. For a $200 saddle, I got a lot more than I was expecting! It was very much an older style saddle—close contact with no knee rolls but in very good condition. The leather’s nice, flocking soft & even, it’s pretty comfortable, and fits me and the horse. It’s middle of the line quality—maybe along the same lines as some of the older HDRs.

[Heinz_57]

Good to know! I ended up snagging one off eBay as well for a good price, that I’m hoping will at least work in the interim while I save up for the saddle I really want. :lol: It’s an older dressage model, but it does have a small block & knee roll, and it’s very pretty - and brown, which I have been coveting for many years.

I did get further clarification from L&R that the saddles were in fact made by them, by the same saddlers that make all of their saddles and to the same standards, which is all I’m concerned with!