Who here rides their jumping saddle in the dressage phase?

[CindyCRNA]

 I am considering getting an awesome fitting custom jumping saddle and ride it in all three phases. I am hoping to get it in black to blend a bit. It’s not ideal but I think it is best for this horse to have a great saddle.

[IMG]http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx78/CindyCRNA/Vic%20232_zps25ty014b.jpg)

[IMG]http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx78/CindyCRNA/Vic%20229_zpsbqmsekau.jpg)

[downen]

I did the opposite! I couldn’t find a jump saddle I felt comfortable in, so I spent an entire season hiking up the stirrups and jumping in my County dressage saddle! Now that was back in the day, before dressage saddles became knee-blocking, butt clamping devices. But if it works and you can ride the dressage phase properly, I say go for it! Judges will judge your performance, not your saddle.

P.S. Just saw we are in the same area…

[subk]

I think it is a great idea and I wouldn’t worry a hoot about the color and “blending in.”

[beowulf]

I’ve done BN-T in an Ainsley all purpose for one of my guys, all three phases. :winkgrin: He was actually very similar to your guy - big wide barrel, but tall wither, incredibly short backed and substantial shoulder… small horse.

I’m still using it now, on my current gelding… It’s a non-issue in dressage phase.

[Equestrian006]

I have competed the last two years (training and prelim) in my black country monoflap jumping saddle! I don’t find the dressage judges care- we got a 28 a few weeks ago! Do whatever makes you and your horse the most comfortable and your wallet happy

[pologirl27]

Me! I actually got a dressage saddle to help me, sadly it does not fit my horse per saddle fitter and even at a very low price it is hard to sell a 16.5 older dark brown County!!!

[Libby2563]

Yep, I used to ride all three phases in my black County Symmetry (jumping saddle). I had two horses and two saddles at the time, so I chose to keep the dressage saddle fitted to the dressage horse and just use the jumping saddle on the eventer. It worked just fine and we were typically in the top three after dressage so I don’t think the judges cared!

[KayBee]

Raises hand. And my dressage bridle is black and does not match my brown jump saddle.

No one seems to care. Or if they do, I don’t

[OuttaShape]

Me! My guy is hard to fit (XW and big shouldered, but short backed), and I finally found a jumping saddle that suits him (not me and my long legs at all, but him, at least). I’m going to continue using it until I’m ready to spend $$$ for custom saddles that will fit the two of us.

And I vote you buy whatever color you like. I think brown looks best on my boy, so when I do get him a dressage saddle, it probably will not be typical black!

[rascalpony]

I’ve never done anything BUT ride in my jumping saddle for dressage I could not afford two saddles, so I just rode in my M. Toulouse saddle all three phases. Not a big deal. Made it easier not having to heft two saddles around to a show lol. I did recently get a dressage saddle, but that is because my new horse has decided she likes dressage more than jumping and we’re doing a little more upper level stuff. The saddle was on sale or I would still be schooling (and going to dressage shows) in my jumping saddle.

Judges don’t mind. And if they do, you might as well throw out the rest of their comments, as well.

[Rallycairn]

[QUOTE=downen;8349806]
I did the opposite! I couldn’t find a jump saddle I felt comfortable in, so I spent an entire season hiking up the stirrups and jumping in my County dressage saddle! Now that was back in the day, before dressage saddles became knee-blocking, butt clamping devices. But if it works and you can ride the dressage phase properly, I say go for it! Judges will just your performance, not your saddle.

P.S. Just saw we are in the same area… :)[/QUOTE]

That’s funny - I had to jump in DH’s County dressage in a Mark Weissbecker clinic back in the dark ages. Went ok.

Now I avoid dressage saddles when I can. I feel trapped. Wouldn’t worry at all about using a jump saddle in dressage unless maybe you are talking about Rolex or similar. BUT listen to everyone else as I have not competed in years and was always baby novice anyway.

[Cameraine]

I only have one saddle for the red rogue pony so if we’re doing anything it’s in our jumping saddle. Some day I want a dressage saddle but what I want is $1700 new and since pony is a crazy medium-narrow width I don’t hold much hope of finding a used one.

So go for it. Eventing people are the best and the least tack snobby of the disciplines. As long as your safe and correct you’re good!

[PrinceSheik325]

I rode in my very huntery Crosby XL H for years in the dressage phase! I even paired it with my very huntery grey jacket and oak bark bridle. Aside from several instances of my father capturing the peanut gallery on video saying things like, “Oh look, it’s another hunter convert,” I didn’t receive any criticism.

[Heinz_57]

This was a while ago now, but I have received comments in the collective marks for rider position - not specifically saying ‘you need to use a dressage saddle’, but kind of alluding to it. My jumping saddle is not one of those that I can just lengthen the stirrups and instantly adopt correct dressage equitation; the flaps are pretty forward and the balance accommodates that, so I’d end up in a chair seat with longer stirrups.

Now, granted - most of the tests I’ve ridden in that saddle have also scored well, usually in the 20’s - so I guess a point off my rider score here or there isn’t hurting a lot.

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=Heinz 57;8350367]
This was a while ago now, but I have received comments in the collective marks for rider position - not specifically saying ‘you need to use a dressage saddle’, but kind of alluding to it. My jumping saddle is not one of those that I can just lengthen the stirrups and instantly adopt correct dressage equitation; the flaps are pretty forward and the balance accommodates that, so I’d end up in a chair seat with longer stirrups.

Now, granted - most of the tests I’ve ridden in that saddle have also scored well, usually in the 20’s - so I guess a point off my rider score here or there isn’t hurting a lot.[/QUOTE]

Really? Do you remember the wording?

I’d be disappointed in the judge. I’ve scribed, worked with judges, and read just about any scored test I can get my hand on… I’ve never once heard or seen a remark on the saddle/tack other than one time, the horse’s flash was so loose it slipped off the horse mid test :eek:

[HiJumpGrrl]

My comment was in the collectives: “rider riding with short stirrups” the score was a 6 at an event in Aiken in Feb. Since I got a dressage saddle my rider scores have been 7s and 8s.

[TB_or_not_TB]

This is one of those funny things folks don’t often mention (or realize), but a jumping saddle that fits you correctly while in two point will put you in a chair seat by default if you sit up straight. Lengthening your stirrups will let you bring your leg back a bit more to go beneath you, but you will be fighting the saddle if you post or put any weight in the stirrup because your leg will want to slide forward to be vertical under the stirrup bar. A judge would be remiss not to knock you a bit for having a weak foundation in your position, but it takes a sophisticated eye to recognize and identify the source of the problem.

That said, go with what works best for you. It’s no big deal to use a jumping saddle for dressage.

[Heinz_57]

[QUOTE=beowulf;8350392]
Really? Do you remember the wording?

I’d be disappointed in the judge. I’ve scribed, worked with judges, and read just about any scored test I can get my hand on… I’ve never once heard or seen a remark on the saddle/tack other than one time, the horse’s flash was so loose it slipped off the horse mid test :eek:[/QUOTE]

Sadly, no. It didn’t actually mention the saddle or tack, just something along the lines of the forward seat not being correct for dressage. Or something to that effect. This was probably somewhere between 2009-2011, seeing as I haven’t been to a single show since 2012. :lol: By and large, most judges seem OK with it as long as the work from the horse is correct, but I would expect a mediocre “rider” score in the collectives. I’d rather be slightly incorrect but effective, over lengthening my stirrups and flopping around trying to keep my balance.

I will also never forget the time I came out of the ring on a horse that I had brought back from starvation earlier that year, at his first schooling show - he was perfect, absolutely lovely. And as I passed my childhood trainer who was also riding in the class, she SCOLDED me that I really should be riding in a dressage saddle! Not only did I beat her, we won the class AND reserve high point with a 74.6% (it was a dressage show). She and I are still friends, but that was one of those comments that made me go Gee, thanks.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Honestly…you would be fine. I’m surprised you think he will need custom though. He doesn’t look terribly short backed…I’ve got one of those (with a long wither too). What I do find I have to do is use a breastplate ALL THE TIME. Even with a good fitting saddle as if it slips back even a small amount it makes him sore.

Good luck!

[OTTBs]

[QUOTE=KayBee;8349933]
Raises hand. And my dressage bridle is black and does not match my brown jump saddle.

No one seems to care. Or if they do, I don’t ;-)[/QUOTE]I ride all three phases in black bridle and brown saddle. Glad to have ONE saddle that fits my horse. I do have a brown bridle I’m thinking of switching to since I have it anyway… The saddle is a Kieffer all purpose Aachen with a not-very-forward flap. I wish I could get a velcro block to add under the flap to give me the support for dressage when I drop my stirrups one hole.

I’m not sure which to do first: get a better saddle for jumping, or one for dressage. Been meaning to drag out the Wintec dressage and play with my gullet collection, that may be my answer.