I bought it in 1978, and it was used. It is a Passier, combination jumping and dressage. It fit my horse and me like a glove. I had my horse for 29 years, and she was put down at 35 ten years ago. I kept the tack, and boots, (and the odd jacket, and britches.) I knew I never wanted to sell my saddle because it is SO comfortable. But having not ridden for ten years, it is just rotting. I will soon be turning 67, and of course, that isn’t life ending, but clearly, I won’t be riding soon, if at all. I have two friends with horses, and they would welcome me out to ride anytime, but anytime never seems to come up. I have a small home, and there is just no ROOM anymore. (I also have a nice pair of Dehners too. Should I Just sell them? Pretend they are animate and find a good home?Books too…
You could try consignment if you have a local tack shop or CL and see what happens.
Passiers are the best, but people do not want them it seems. Yours probably belongs in a pub or movie for decoration? Books - a second hand
tack store. My Passier from the late '60’s did everything with me including the occasional swim in the FraserRiver on the Hunt and took it all in stride, so to speak.
I love Passiers. I have one very old one. Too small for me any more but can’t give it up.
Maybe you can find someone to buy it and enjoy it. I know eBay has its pitfalls but I have sold a couple that way.
Find someone like my coach that loves the old Passier’s :). The fans are out there. They won’t pay much but they do love those saddles.
If its in usable condition donate it to a therapy riding center.
Passier still makes them, They know their fans are out there.
They are special order and as I recall they refer to it as Passier Traditional or PT.
For the saddle in the post, I second therapy donation.
A Passier is probably one of the best made saddles ever. I saw one demo once and inside it is all different little pieces of leather, different thicknesses, all with the Passier stamp and date on it. Amazing - and the cut back pommel makes it fit just about everything. Trouble is that my girls told me that it put me in a bit of a chair seat compared to the relatively modest Bates that I used for years which improved my leg position.
If you write to Passier, they will answer with the date the saddle was built…or they used to.
I gave my beloved old saddle to a COTHer.
]I gave my beloved old saddle to a COTHer.[/QUOTE]
Well, that is the thing. I have finally decided I can let it go, but I want it to go somewhere where someone would love it. I am not much in touch with the eventers around here anymore. I was directed to a FB page for tack selling, but they have to approve me, and I have been waiting two days.
Anyone in KC area want an old saddle?
This was going to be my suggestion. I have a cutback saddleseat saddle that I use as a barstool. I just got a stool from target, I think, and set the saddle on top. I didn’t do anything fancy like bolting it on, but it looks nice and I use it all the time.
I’d bet you could find someone who wants it either for their house or for a barn lounge or tack room.
Well… if you can stomach an “honorable sacrifice…” of of my horse clubs had a saddle maker come out to a meeting to explain how saddles are built. He “butchered” a few donation saddles…
If you decide to sell it I would have a good independent fitter look it over first. A wellmade saddle lasts a long time but a twisted tree, dry rot on the billets, compacted flocking, etc. are all things that a more novice owner may not know to check or have addressed resulting in an unsafe situation.
If it’s been sitting, it may be best suited as a decorative piece or could be used for a demonstration by a fitter on how saddles are made and ways to evaluate fit. I recently donated a saddle for this cause after a subtle twisting of the tree was detected. The leather was butter soft and the saddle truly immaculate for a 40 year old saddle but a twisted tree is nothing but discomfort and risk. Donating it ensured that it never ended up on another horse.
What books do you have?
a few coffee table books, a lot of Dick Francis, hardcovers, One or two on hunting, a couple on racing. I used to have the Irish RM but I don’t remember seeing it for a while. Several copies of the Black Stallion:D
