Hello.
I started a thread in the off course forum asking for opinions re the wintec 2000 ap saddle. I’m also wondering if it could be used for smaller /local shows hunter classes.
It looks like where I was thinking of getting it it only comes in black ( and it’s synthetic).
It’s very slippery, the flap is not forward enough for jumping, and black would be…not attractive. My husband had one when he got his mare and started riding regularly. He also started jumping. His knee would go past the flap (with stirrups adjusted to jumping length,) even though the saddle was the appropriate size. We quickly sold it and bought a leather Pessoa - there is absolutely no comparison. You’re better off buying a used leather saddle designed for jumping.
Thanks for your response. It would probably just be for low jumps like 2’6 max. And I also intend to do a bit of dressage, trail riding… Bit of everything basically so looking for an all purpose saddle.
Funny that you said it’s slippery everyone else said it’s very sticky lol.
A Wintec AP would be just fine for your purposes, IMO. If you wanted at some point to show rated hunters, then it would be better to invest in more traditional American hunter tack (ie, brown leather), but for jumpers black is just fine and is actually pretty standard in the UK and European venues. For small local or schooling shows, as long as you are turned out neatly, it shouldn’t matter.
In my area, you typically find the wintec all purpose saddles mostly used on lesson horses. It serves its “all purpose” criteria for typical lesson programs but stuff more specialized and requiring more quality tack (cross country, upper level jumping, dressage) you’d be wise to invest in a good saddle to keep you going for the long run.
I’m not sure if anyone else who replied has actually ever owned or ridden in one, but I am speaking from experience. We do low level - 2’9" max - jumping, trail ride and lots of flat work in the ring. If you wear full seat breeches, you might get a better sense of security. Unless you are talking about the suede flap, I cannot imagine anyone describing the flaps as “sticky.” Perhaps they have redesigned the saddles since we purchased ours 8 years ago.
My advice is to order one with a trial period and ride in it so you can see for yourself.
I actually just glanced at the saddle online, out of curiousity. The saddle we had did not have any suede on it. I can see how the saddle would be much grippier with the suede seat. Our entire saddle was made of the flap material. Still, the flaps are awfully long and straight, even for lower height jumping, so I would definitely try one and be sure to pop over a few jumps when you do.
This is the saddle I am referring to.
I think that depends where you are. If you get 8 perfect jumps, clean changes and your horse has tight knees, then in theory it shouldn’t matter at schooling shows. But in places like Virginia you will definitely look out of place in a black wintec even at the local level. Personally I’d just get brown leather and be done with it. You can find lots of reasonable used saddles at consignment shops.
If you have your heart set on an AP saddle there are definitely better options. I’m personally a big fan of the Stubben Seigfried. My husband has one and jumps up to 2’6 easily in it. It’s higher quality leather and they last forever.
Greenhawk retails the Wintec 2000 AP for $1200 regularly. For that price, I think you could find a much nicer used AP or jumping saddle. It may take some hunting around, but I imagine some folks might be getting saddles or cash for new tack for Christmas and you’ll see a lot listed online come January.
Is eBay a good place to look?
my concern with buying used is 1) if it doesn’t fit properly then probably would not be able to return and 2) could there be damage to the tree etc that’s not visible?
But otherwise yes I’d rather get a used saddle and get the most bang for my buck.
The gullet change system attracted me to the wintec. I’m just not sure where to start in finding something that will fit him.
I don’t do a lot of my shopping on eBay, but I think that may be a safer place to shop over FB tack groups. There is the possibility of a saddle not fitting and then having to resell it yourself, but with eBay I think your money is more protected than it is with FB. I wouldn’t totally forgo FB, I’d just be more careful. There may be someone relatively close to you, though, that would let you take a saddle on trial and that’d make life easier than shopping blind.
Is there a shop that takes tack on consignment in your area? Or maybe a friend or trainer who may help you with determining saddle fit for your horse? If not, there are some online resources that can help you with measuring your horse’s back to give you an idea of what you may be looking for. Keep in mind, a saddle that may fit now may not fit later. As your horse grows and depending on his work routine, his back may change. Purchasing a used saddle of a reputable brand will generally guarantee, though, that you will see more return if you have to sell it later. When I sold my CWD, I sold it for only slightly less than what I had paid for it when I had bought it used years previously.
Local consignment shops will allow you to take a saddle on trial and the better ones make sure the tree is sound before they even accept it. There are several on-line used saddle sellers that also have trial periods and check the saddle for problems before listing it. I wouldn’t be comfortable buying a used saddle on eBay or FB.
Is the horse an unusual shape? What is it being ridden in now?
I had a Wintec 500 dressage saddle for a while, and I agree that it would be slippery–I never rode in it without fullseats. The suede-y looking model you posted might be grippier, but for the price of that new, I agree that you could buy much better quality used. What about looking at more eventer-targeted saddles, like a County Eventer or Stubben Sigfried?
Yes, it’s a legal saddle and can certainly be used for local H/J shows.
Black tack is uncommon in hunters, but not unheard of.
However, I recommend against it. I consider “All-purpose” saddles to be “No-purpose” saddles. They are not forward enough for jumping, I personally wouldn’t do more than crossrails in them, and you said you’d be showing at 2’6’’. They also don’t really put you in the right position for dressage. You’re betting off getting a Close Contact saddle, which will be safer for jumping, and you can still lengthen your stirrups as needed for dressage (about up to First level) and trails.
I have no opinion on it being Wintec, as I have never ridden in one. I personally do not like synthetic saddles and only purchase/use/ride in leather saddles.
I have a Collegiate jump saddle (wool flocking) and just bought a Bates dressage saddle (CAIR panels) with the Easy Change Gullet system - I absolutely love this feature. There is a measuring device you can purchase that will tell you the tree plate size to use. Videos on Youtube show how to use it properly.
The Pessoa saddles also have an exchangeable gullet system which is essentially the same. In terms of comfort for trail riding, the Wintec AP doesn’t have any special comfort features when compared to a jumping saddle.
You can definitely find used saddles with trial periods. I’ve bought several used saddles, including one from Ebay.
I had one of these for a growing horse, and I honestly did not care for it. It was a poor investment in hindsight, and I would have been better off just purchasing a used CC.
I found the position it put me in was awkward and uncomfortable - unbalanced, which is deadly on a youngster!
I would strongly suggest seeking out other saddles.
I ended up getting a Thorowgood T4 ap that I’ll be trying out on Tuesday. Read lots of good things about the saddle.
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