:yes: you are absolutely right! I was speaking from years of picking up english saddles with one hand, or carrying them draped over my forearm and being able to still haul a grooming tote and bridle in the other AND still open a couple gates. The River Plantation is still manageable, just taking some gettin’ used to.
I like my Barefoot Tahoe, but if I were going with a treed saddle it would be a Crest Ridge. www.crestridgesaddlery.com I also liked my Bighorn endurance saddle.
[QUOTE=sonata;5944928]
Hastilo’s in PA sell the Thorowgood Jill Thomas endurance saddles. I have one and love it. Have ridden over 5 hours in it.[/QUOTE]
Here’s the Thorowgood endurance saddle. It may look like an AP saddle, but it’s got a few modifications that make it much more comfortable, for both you and your horse. I’ve done 50-mile endurance rides in it with no extra padding (sheepskin or gel cover), and I’m not sore during or afterwards. It’s very lightweight as well.
I got mine from Hastilow as well (http://hastilowusa.com/). I’m not sure if they’ll travel down to you, but they do saddle fittings and trials.
Duett trail might be a possibility, too. Also - Duett are starting a rental program for if you just need a saddle a little while, or if you wanna do a serious ‘try before you buy’ deal.
I have a Tucker (Cheyenne trail, with horn) - bought it about ten years ago and will probably keep it until it is un-rideable.:yes:
My only regrets about it are the fact it is a true Western-type saddle, with a square skirt and a horn. At the time I bought it I wanted a Western type of saddle, but since then I’ve come to the conclusion that I really don’t like saddle horns all that much.
The only thing that might persuade me to part with it would be to trade it for one of the smaller, hornless endurance-style saddles they make. Or, maybe, if I got a REALLY good deal on a Steele saddle.:winkgrin:
I also have come to prefer the saddles with a round skirt. Square skirts just seem like a lot of extra leather that don’t really add anything to the saddle but unnecessary weight.
My boyfriend also has a Tucker (Plantation, I think). He loves his as well - and it fits his gargantuan “wide load” TWH gelding.
Yes, they’re pricey but (IMO) they are worth it.
Well I found a saddle to trial. It’s a Collegiate marathon…used, black (a nice bonus), and a smaller size. Wider tree also. I’ll hopefully have it later next week. I just hope I have some time to go for a long ride and really try it out.
Thanks for all the suggestions and feedback! I seriously learned a ton!
I have owned countless Tucker saddles over the last 30 yrs. I field trial and they have always been the standard for that type of riding. They are an easy fit on a gaited horse. I also have Arabians, the tucker saddles do not fit well or put me in the correct postion on a non gaited horse. They push you “forward” and your leg in is the wrong postion to post for extended lengths of time. For distance on the non gaited horses I have synergist each fitted to the horse. They are comfortable and well made.
Sharon, you know I’m going to suggest a Freeform:D I have two, one a western style base with an English seat and then my main riding saddle, FF Classic, that has a deep seat and knee blocks. I can’t even imagine picking up those big heavy English and Western saddles now a days considering that my FF weighs maybe 10 lbs tops with the irons.
You are more than welcome to test drive them. They can be found in good condition used for under $1000.
Kelly,
Thanks for the offer! I’d love to try one! I was thinking of you anyway. I need to get up with you on good places to ride around here. I finally have some horses ready to go!
I thought I’d update the thread. I have this saddle on trial right now.
http://www.horseclicks.com/saddles/451gqd/
I just got it yesterday and have not had time to ride in it yet. It’s pouring now but hopefully by tomorrow. I did sit in it and it’s like sitting on a sofa! It fits me pretty well (is really a 17.5 not a 16) It is surprisingly heavy but I’ve been used to treeless saddles for years now…I guess many treed saddles would seem so after that.
I have someone else with a smaller Tucker Equitation who is going to bring it up here next week when they come to pick up some horses…so I’ll get to try one of those also.
[QUOTE=Daydream Believer;5974429]
I thought I’d update the thread. I have this saddle on trial right now.
http://www.horseclicks.com/saddles/451gqd/
I just got it yesterday and have not had time to ride in it yet. It’s pouring now but hopefully by tomorrow. I did sit in it and it’s like sitting on a sofa! It fits me pretty well (is really a 17.5 not a 16) It is surprisingly heavy but I’ve been used to treeless saddles for years now…I guess many treed saddles would seem so after that…[/QUOTE]
That’s not a bad price considering it’s pretty much what you’ve been looking for, has the fittings, and free shipping.
FYI, what I understand back when I was looking to purchase my Collegiate Marathon, it was only made in 17.5 and 18 sizes. The size of this saddle runs a little larger than conventional English saddles because of the deep, padded seat.
I loved mine. I hope it works out for you!
Thanks! I figured too that I could actually trial it versus “you bought it you keep it” from ebay…it was worth a bit more. 
I’ll let you all know how it goes! I still did not have time to ride today and it poured half the day. Hopefully I’ll get a short ride tomorrow before I get to cleaning house too much.
Has the Collegiate Marathon been discontinued? Looks like an interesting saddle.
Yes it has been discontinued. Seems well built also. Nice saddle. It rained again today and still no ride in it! I will try tomorrow. Supposed to be nicer weather.
Does anyone know of a similar saddle to Collegiate Marathon (other then those EquiRoyales)? I had one, sold it and now so sorry since you can’t buy them anymore.:no:
