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Suede seat cover

Dressage
#1

Hi All!
Quick question, are suede seat covers illegal in competition? I’m thinking they are (illegal), as what little research I have done on it (I don’t normally show recognized) does say that “seat covers” are not legal.

But I guess I am looking for a little clarification, as seat covers can run the gamut from a potato chip thin suede cover (mine), to large 1 or 2 inch high padded, gel, fleece, tricked out covers. Mine is literally a semi-custom piece of suede that covers just the seat part, is paper thin, zero padding.

Second question, more curiosity- if your saddle came with the seat already suede (permanently, non-removable), that is ok, because its not something you can take on and off, correct?

Thank you in advance!!!

#2

Look at the Wintec Isabell saddle. Synthetic suede seat. I have one and it is legal.

#3

Hi Caper,
Agreed, and you are correct!
I guess I’m just trying to decipher if it is something that:
-If it comes on the saddle (as part of the saddle making process), and is a permanent, non-removable piece of the saddle, like the Wintec, then its ok.
or
-If its something you “add on” that (while it blends in perfectly) is removable, is NOT legal.

That’s where I think I’m stuck with trying to figure out the legality of it.

#4

Seat covers are not allowed: DR121.7. Martingales, bit guards, any kind of gadgets (such as bearing, side, running, balancing reins, neck straps, nasal strips, tongue tied down, etc.), any kind of boots (including “easy-boots”) or bandages (including tail bandages) and any form of blinkers, earmuffs or plugs, nose covers, seat covers, hoods are, under penalty of elimination,strictly forbidden.

#5

The rules, as stated, seem fairly definite: seat covers are not allowed. There is no discussion of types, styles, materials, etc. that could be legal, so I am afraid your cover would not be legal, although a suede seat made as part of the saddle would be.

My guess is this makes it much easier for the stewards and TDs to determine compliance.

#6

Yeah it is not legal hence I mentioned that specific saddle. It really does help stick in the saddle…

#7

Thank you to everyone who replied! That definitely clears it up :o)

#8

Welcome to dressage nothing is legal :cool:

#9

If you need to stick to the seat, buy some deerskin breeches :wink:

#10

My older Albion had a suede seat and I loved it. If it wasn’t so God awful expensive to replace a seat i would replace my current Albion seat with suede. I do have a wintec specifically for riding unknown or dumb babies because I need the stick. I hate full seats, especially deerskin/suede/leather.

#11

I have seen quite a few Albions with suede seats lately on the used market. :lol: And I myself picked up a Black Country with a suede seat a few months ago. I’ve seen several of those for sale recently, also - another one today, in fact! Nearly all of these were in the <$1k range, too. I haven’t put a ton of miles on mine yet but so far I’m in love with it.

1 Like
#12

But I just just bought a like new Albion slk ultra for 650$. I can’t justify another at this time haha but I’m a hoarder so you know I’m setting up a new eBay alert immediately :slight_smile:

#13

I did get mine off ebay (UK), @ladyj79, but most of the others I’ve seen were on FB. Aiken Tack Exchange has (or had) several of them!

1 Like

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