Looking for recommendations on good jump saddles on a lower end budget. Currently ride in a Crosby Sofride AP which was fine for under 2’3, but as the jumps have gotten higher, I find I need a little more security on my over enthusiastic ottb mare. My trainer suggested something with knee and thigh blocks.
Just starting to research. Looking to stay under 1000. Bonus points if it comes in black so I don’t have to get another Micklem :lol:
ETA definitly fine with used
You won’t find anything high quality new at that price. But certainly there are lots of older secondhand saddles out there, and if they are old enough will come in black (both my jump saddles have been black and about 20 years old).
Security is going to primarily be a matter of how well the saddle fits you and if the balance point is right for you to easily maitain two point. The knee rolls are nice but aren’t what keeps you in the saddle.
I’m with @Scribbler that fit of the saddle for yourself and the horse does determine “security” but here are the brands I like for under $1k.
I had an older County that my horse outgrew, bought it for $900 CAN. Currently have an older Passier with as much knee roll as anyone needs, bought it for $500 CAN, fits me and horse nicely. Honestly I wouldn’t even look at saddles that are under $1000 new.
You can usually find a Prestige Event in that range ($1000-1500), and they come in black. Substantial knee and thigh blocks, and tend to fit TBs well. Also have a tree that can be adjusted by Prestige smaller or larger 2cm either way, so you have some flexibility if you have a young, changing horse.
If my trainer said that this was the way I was going to stay in the saddle then I would find a new trainer. What’s her suggestion if those don’t work? Duct Tape?
100% agree with Scribbler. Saddle security comes from correct fit for horse and rider, as well as correct balance to the conformation of the rider. There is no saddle that makes you more secure based on it’s construction. That comes from correct rider position in relation to the horse. Otherwise, no one would ever come off a horse in a western saddle. And we all know that can happen!
And different horses require different balance points. The Prestige Eventer is secure - if you like an upright balance. If you need to be in the back seat, the Ainsley Chester is what you want. But even those will feel different on different horses.
On one horse (very round, big barrel) the Chester put my lower leg solidly ON and in front. On another (narrow TB), I couldn’t keep it under me to save my life -it slipped back!
But some saddles don’t work well once jumps get bigger. I love my Wintec 2000, but wasn’t comfortable jumping in it over about 2’3"-2’6". I bought a Black Country Wexford, which was great to about 3’, but found it too restricting when I started schooling training level jumps. So I went to a close contact (Stubben Ascend) which works great.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with wanting knee blocks for support. I loved the security of my Wexford. I haven’t been able to make myself sell it–it will be great for fox hunting.
PS: OP, check Ebay UK for better deals on Black Country and other British brands. The exchange rate is good right now (or last I checked a few days ago). I think I paid less than $1K for mine.
You might also like a monoflap. The saddle I’m using on the horse in my avatar (also an enthusiastic jumper) is a Stubben Excalibur. These can be found for a moderate price since they are an outdated model having been replaced by the Zaria.
This. If a rider wants more security over higher jumps they should train more, with a good trainer. If you need a lot of blocks to keep your position in the saddle you don’t need to be jumping. It’s bad enough for people to block themselves into a “secure” saddle for dressage. Please let’s not bring that over to jumping.
Can you just see a cavalry officer blocking himself into his seat for a real cross-country gallop? :lol: :eek:
Where is that wonderful COTH signature line about people who fix their horse, their tack, their bit, etc., but never fix themselves?
Thanks all for some suggestions. To clarify, I’ve never been big on cushy saddles and big knee rolls as I dont like feeling locked in, merely what my trainer, who does prefer them, suggested. I do a lot of two point, no stirrup work etc to work on my lower leg
Well, then your trainer is not giving you particularly accurate information. Rolls and thigh blocks help with a loose leg or tired or somewhat unfit rider ( as in typical Adult, self included. They do nothing, nada, zip to keep you in position over any fence and those who ride the big sticks will tell you these things get in their way as they try to melt into a horse giving big jumping efforts.
Besides the fit issues, the truely supportive saddles have a definate " sweet spot" where the seat puts you in perfect position and allows your body to keep you there. Best one I ever rode in was an Hermès. Looked flat as a pancake, sat me deeper and closer to the horse then anything else ever did, Oddly more comfortable then the cushier saddles. It was probably 25 years old at the time, still in use today.
Look for used, better name saddles. Me, liked that Hermes but preferred my Butet and Childric for my aging carcass and 3’ Hunters. As this trainer might if she’s older and riding a lot of horses. But I sure would never claim the cushier saddles kept me more secure or even on the horse. Just softer on me and had no need for a 4’+ saddle.
Obviohsly, you need something different for CC but it’s that sweet spot you want to feel, not rolls and blocks.
Since you’re in an AP saddle, it might be as simple as needing a different balance point from a true close contact saddle since the jumps are getting a bit higher. You could try a Crosby close contact saddle (rather than all purpose) to see if that helps. I find most AP saddles difficult to jump in.
I googled Crosby Sofride AP and it looks like an older flatter saddle, with somewhat forward flaps but minimal knee rolls. It is not a contemporary jumping saddle.
http://buckscountysaddlery.com/product_info.php?products_id=90007325
I take the coach’s advice to be: go get yourself a proper jumping saddle made after the year 2000. In that context, looking for knee rolls is a good marker of a jumping saddle that will also have good balance etc.
The coach isn’t telling OP to ditch a functional contemporary jump saddle for one that has way crazy extra padding. I think coach is saying, get yourself a jump saddle, period.
There may well be other rider fit problems as well.
And yeah I know folks jumped in pancake slippery saddles in the 1970s and I really respect that. But I’ve sat in my coach’s vintage saddles and I need a bit more structure than that!
Another thought on saddle brand- you might be able to find a used Albion Kontrol. Comes in black or brown, with a flat or deep seat option, generous knee rolls. I haven’t seen one for under $1000, but for sure have seen them listed under $1500
Fact of the matter is, All Purpose saddles are not suitable for jumps over ~2’3’’, so it’s really not surprising when people say they don’t feel “secure” jumping in AP saddles. All Purpose saddles do not allow the correct leg and seat position. Absolutely there’s much to be said about being strong and feeling secure in your position regardless of what help your saddle provides (i.e. blocks), but when you’re fighting the saddle the whole time, it doesn’t really matter how strong you are. Just like riding in a saddle that doesn’t fit you correctly, riding in one that is not designed for the job you are trying to do doesn’t help anyone, either.
IMO, OP, just look for a good close contact saddle that fits you and your horse, and don’t worry about looking for something specifically with knee and thigh blocks.
Collegiate is another decent brand you can get at a good price, IMO. I just adore my College Convertible Diploma (which I got used), and people always think it’s a more expensive French brand because it’s so pretty.
I bought my county eventer on eBay for 800. Any of those county eventer/stabilizer/etc will be a great choice.
Where do you find Prestige event saddles for 1k? All the used ones I’ve seen are 2,000 or more.
could you add knee and thigh blocks to existing saddle?
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