I’ve never really thought about this before, but I might have a period of time this year where I only have my jumping saddle to ride in while I look for a new one. Is it allowed to ride in a recognized dressage show in a jumping saddle? It looks like from the rules any English saddle is legal, but wanted to verify that. I’m sure it’ll get looks at the very least, IF I went to one (have some friends that want us to tag along to shows), but that’s fine
It’s legal. I think everyone else will be worrying so much about their own ride that they won’t even notice your saddle. Go and have a great time!
It’s legal up to Fourth level. There is a requirement for near vertical flaps (aka dressage saddle) at FEI levels.
I’ve seen a few at rated shows, mostly at Intro/Training/First where you don’t have to sit the trot. Go for it and have fun!
Here is the USEF language:
Saddle. An English type saddle, with or without a tree, with flaps, stirrups and a girth is compulsory for all tests and classes other than FEI tests. For FEI tests it is compulsory to use a well-fitting dressage saddle that is close to the horse with long, near-vertical flaps and stirrups (except for FEI Para Dressage tests) and a girth. The use of a saddle with a horn, swell, gallerie, or open gullet, or the use of an original or modified Australian, Baroque, Endurance, McClellan, Spanish, Stock, or Western saddle is prohibited.
Back in the Dark Ages of Dressage, most people rode in all-purpose saddles, like the Steubben Siegfried or the Passier 3-day. “Dressage” saddles were almost unknown.
Probably not.
as mentioned it is permitted. The USEF rules are very detailed and you should review them and see how much leeway you have in choices for turn out. Depending on where you ride you may notice a fair number of all purpose or jump type saddles.
I’ve shown first level in a jumping saddle. The judge didnt seem to care - the only comments I got were from onlookers suggesting that my stirrups should be longer (which would have put my leg on top of a block, so I just kept them at a more typical length for flatting in a jumping saddle).
Ah, the very popular Stubben Siegfried. For youngsters who may have never seen one, here is a picture of mine. It has done all three eventing phases, done hunter shows, dressage shows, been to dressage clinics, and spent twenty years fox hunting. I now have proper dressage saddles, but the Stubben was my only saddle for over ten years.
Beautiful!! Thank you for the happy memories!
While we are on Stubbens , this is my first dressage saddle - Stubben Parzifal. I specifically bought brown, short billets so I would not have to buy another bridle or girth to go eventing. Money for horse related purchases was really tight for me back then.
It’s no problem at all but if you’re demonstrating a more hunt-seat equitation then it might show in the ‘rider’ score, particularly if the test could have been improved by the rider sitting tall and deeply into the saddle to help balance the horse, based on what I’ve seen.
I’ve done it in Wellington at Training Level when my horse decided Saturday at the show he no longer liked his Dressage saddle. No one cared.
LetItBe
I know its Eventing, but even at the Olympics Jessica Phoenix went down the center line in her jump saddle on Exponential.
Ok fantastic! Thanks!
Aww. That brought back memories. I got my Stubben Siegfried in 1967. Gave it to a friend in the 90s when I got out of eventing to focus on dressage. Great saddles.