WEG saddle pads - opinions needed

[paint_hunter]

Well, having tried to purchase a WEG saddle pad every morning at the park, only to find out that they were all gone every morning in the first few minutes, I guess I am resigned to having to purchase mine on line (and pay tremedous shipping fees on top). So, for the lucky few that were able to buy one, can anyone comment on the quality of the pad? Is it a nice quality or is it the thickness of a “cheapo” pad that would normally sell for about $15? Clothes were rather pricey overall, such as $84 for a fleece vest. I just want to know that I will not be disappointed if I shell out the bucks for the pad. Also, is it a fairly good sized pad or one that would only fit a 16.5 inch saddle?

Best buy I found at the park was a really nice USHJA fleece vest at the USHJA office for $15 (less an additional 10% for being a USHJA member).

Thanks

[Sonoma_City]

I saw the pads, they are decent quality. They’d probably be ~$30 if they did not have the logo. If you got to the Kentucky Horse Park giftshop they should have them. They have a lot of nice WEG stuff that I didn’t see at the “official” merchandise booth, and have more sizes, etc.

[paint_hunter]

Thanks Sonoma City. Unfortunately, the Horse Park store didn’t have any either on Tuesday or Wednesday. Every time I asked someone from any merchandising venue they told me to order it on line. They told me they had had no idea how much equipment/clothes, etc to order. I think they were surprised at how popular the merchandise was.

Anyways, thanks for the info. I will order my pad on line. At least I won’t have to figure out how to pack it in my suitcase for the plane trip home today.

[HCF]

I was going to order one online, but it looks like the navy one is no longer available, just the white. Both colors are pictured, but white is the only option.

[mypaintwattie]

I bought mine in June at the western states horse expo. Since then I have been using it on a fairly regular basis, and almost daily since the beginning of the games. The pad is very nice, high quality, and was very worth the $30 I paid for it. I use it with my 16.5" PJ and it fits perfectly, it would fit a 17" too, maybe a 17.5" but that would be cutting it close. Close contact, not AP saddles. I have it in white and just love the way it looks!

[TooManyChickens]

If you are unable to get the official WEG pad, may I recommend one of the pads from the TB Retirement Foundation. They have a booth on one of the ends of the large tent that houses multiple vendors. For a $50 donation (just $4 more than the official WEG pads) you get a lovely white pad with the beautiful (and LARGE) TRF logo, plus the $ goes to shoe a TB in need. The pads are of good quality. Just because of the intricate nature of the stitched logo, I’d almost argue using a baby pad or something like that underneath it when you ride, so that the # of washings are cut down as much as possible so as not to disturb the logo.