So, I’m saddle searching for a used Amerigo DJ, and I keep finding DJ2’s. Anyone know the difference between the DJ and DJ2? For the life of me I can’t find anything…Thanks!
Check with Ann Forrest from Equestrian Imports, she is a rep for Amerigo, I have used her in the past and she really knows her stuff.
The best person to talk to is Robin Moore at World Equestrian Brands in Buena Vista, Va. She is the person who brings all the Amerigo’s into the states.
The difference is in the way they fit your horse… and price. For instance, Robin saddle fit my horses and found that the Vega fit them better than the custom models you have mentioned.
I’ve never sat in a more comfortable, more balanced saddle than the Vega, and it seems to fit my big girls very well. I also have a CWD and an Antares, and the Vega rides much better than those in a variety of ways.
The best person to talk to is Robin Moore at World Equestrian Brands in Buena Vista, Va. She is the person who brings all the Amerigo’s into the states.
The difference is in the way they fit your horse… and price. For instance, Robin saddle fit my horses and found that the Vega (the non-custom, less expensive model) fit them better than the custom models you have mentioned.
I’ve never sat in a more comfortable, more balanced saddle than the Vega, and it seems to fit my big girls very well. I also have a CWD and an Antares, and the Vega rides much better than those in a variety of ways.
I don’t think that a saddle stamped “DJ2” is any different than standard ‘DJ’. Their stamp has changed over time slightly. Generally all their models with standard flocking are stamped “2” after the model. IE V 2 is Vesuvius standard flocking. DJ 2 is DJ, standard flocking. Occasionally you will see a 4 and that is extra flocking or padding. In some of the model years the number doesn’t seem to be included. So far as I know (and I am currently amerigo obsessed) DJ is DJ, there is no ‘new’ model other than normal changes through the years.
I was curious too so I took a look at mine plus a barnmate’s saddles.
Mine has the DJ2 stamp on it. It was originally a custom for somebody else (long/forward flap). My barnmate’s is a newer one that she bought as a demo and it’s stamped DJ.
I have an response from Amerigo from when we emailed them the serial number from mine to get the specs, and they don’t say anything special about the DJ2 part of it, just that it’s a DJ model, med tree, etc.
That’s quite interesting. I trialed a DJ2, and it fit me completely differently than my trainer’s DJ. I ended up in a chair seat in the DJ2, whereas I’m extremely balanced in the standard DJ.
I asked a friend of mine who used to be a rep for Amerigo about the differences as well, and she had never heard of a DJ2.
Still baffled…
I have never heard of a DJ2 either. I used to have a Vega before I got my CWD, the Vega was great, however the balance and fit just wasn’t quite right on my new horse. From what I remember the saddle fitter saying, the Vega is the “off-rack” version of the DJ, and that the only real differences were slightly larger blocks and a slightly deeper seat on the DJ. I test rode both a Vega and a DJ at that time, and went with the Vega as I couldn’t notice much difference between the two other than the price tag.
Is it possible that the custom models got stamped with the “DJ2” instead of the stock models? Maybe that’s why the one you sat in fit you differently - different flap configuration/stuffing/something?
Prior to buying mine, I had ridden in one friend’s DJ short flap (same seat size) and another friend’s DJ long flap (same seat size, not forward flap, just long) and neither one fit me. While both were okay, neither made me think I would spend the money on one. Then mine came up for sale and I decided to try it anyway - glad I did! Felt like home as soon as I sat in it.
