[QUOTE=pattnic;8695825]
I’m going to be the voice of dissent and suggest you seriously look at the Jean Luc saddle. If it’s what I think it is, it is easily the best deal of what you’ve listed - low brand recognition has it priced extremely low.
.[/QUOTE]
I’m am also curious as to what you think this might be too??? It’s not a Luc Childeric if that is what your are thinking? And yes $400 would have been an absolute steal if it was. I have the impression this Jean Luc is not the best quality as well?
[QUOTE=JFalexis;8695944]
Can someone tell me what’s up with the Jean LUC? I imagined it was kinda junky? Can someone tell me why they would say that over a Pessoa?[/QUOTE]
Is this that saddle though? I did a search for Jean Luc Close Contact and the only thing that kept coming up for anything close to the price range and look of the one the OP posted was this “Santa Cruz” Jean Luc Saddle advertised as a great beginner saddle. All around $400-$650??? Now I’m so curious! The above site looks like nice quality and definitely worth a look, but I am not convinced its this same maker.
[QUOTE=JFalexis;8696041]
I recently found that I am actually 17.5. Since the Pessoa EQ is flatter, would it still fit me? Thoughts?[/QUOTE]
The size saddle you need is determined by the seat depth (flatter seats have a larger sweet spot), the flap position and the placement of the stirrup bars. If you have long thighs you generally need a more forward flap and bars that are further back.
If you like a deeper seat, you might have to go up a size. I have saddles that range from a 17" to an 18.5" – it depends on the brand and the way the saddle is put together. I am also tall with long femurs.
You really need to ride in some these saddles to start to figure out what works for you (and for your horse). Do you have someone who can help you determine if the saddle is balanced on your horse?
[QUOTE=MtnDrmz;8696292]
Is this that saddle though? I did a search for Jean Luc Close Contact and the only thing that kept coming up for anything close to the price range and look of the one the OP posted was this “Santa Cruz” Jean Luc Saddle advertised as a great beginner saddle. All around $400-$650??? Now I’m so curious! The above site looks like nice quality and definitely worth a look, but I am not convinced its this same maker.[/QUOTE]
Can’t say for sure, but it has a lot of similarities to the Jean Luc website. Also, it is quite a bit older. Because no one knows the names, it’s not going to fetch the price of one of the other well-known brands when it’s used.
I have a 16 yr old Pessoa EQ I currently ride in. This is a well made saddle and fits many different backs from ponies, TB’s, QH’s and warmbloods. Leather quality is excellent as this is the era they were made in England, though it says Paris on the button. The flatter seat is nice and the knee rolls are just right. It has been an excellent purchase.
[QUOTE=MtnDrmz;8696292]
I’m am also curious as to what you think this might be too??? It’s not a Luc Childeric if that is what your are thinking? And yes $400 would have been an absolute steal if it was. I have the impression this Jean Luc is not the best quality as well?[/QUOTE]
No, I do not think it is a Childeric. I am a Tack Nerd and the name Jean Luc sounds familiar to me.
None of us can say without actually seeing the saddle in person.
I don’t think the saddle the OP linked to is the same maker as the one you found - for what you found, it looks like Santa Cruz is the name of the brand and Jean Luc is the model. Without seeing the quality first-hand, I also don’t know whether it is the same brand to which RugBug linked. I do know, however, that: it looks like a nicer saddle than I would expect to see priced this low; there is a Jean Luc brand that is good quality but not particularly well-known; and low brand recognition can lead to phenomenal prices.
To this last point, about a year and a half ago, I found a jumping saddle made by a brand better known for its custom dressage saddles selling in the $3000-ish range (used, they are still typically around $2000). The saddle I found on consignment was selling for $500.
OP - the Pessoa may fit, but you’ll have to try it to be sure. This, however, is the case with any saddle in which you are interested.
OP, your link to the Stubben doesn’t work. I rode in an AP Stubben Siegfried for years, and in spite of the fact that many avoid AP saddles on principle, the Siegfried has some advantages. First, the quality is excellent, probably better than any of the others you linked. Second, it provides great security and is perfectly appropriate to jump in. On the other hand, it is out of style, it tends to put the rider in a chair seat, and since I’m getting the impression that you prefer a minimalist saddle, you may not like the big knee and thigh blocks. So this is probably not the best choice for you. If you can find a “Siegfried II,” which is a close-contact model, that would be a better choice.
My experience with HDR and MToulouse saddles is that while some are pretty decent, many of them are slippery and some are junky.
The Pessoa sounds like a good choice for you. Good quality for the money. Not everyone likes riding in a saddle with no knee pads or rolls, though. Make sure that’s what you want. Pessoa makes other models you may prefer.
Collegiate also makes very sturdy, good saddles for people on a budget.
