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T O P I C R E V I E W
Pasha
Posted - 14 Jan 2010 : 10:15:20 AM Has anyone got an Albion VSD and do you show in it? Is it straight cut enough?
Now looking to get Shesky's show saddle, as he only has a Dressage saddle, the poor boy and it's black, so he can't be seen in that lol!
I know Albion fit him (typical - he has expensive tastes), and I love the Frank Baines WH, they look similar so just wondered if anyone has any experiences really?
Bizarely Ideal don't fit Shesky so well... I had the Ideal Ramsay Show Saddle for Pash and it didn't fit Shesky at all! I also want to hack, jump and do low level endurance in it
12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Emma B
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 1:31:36 PM sarah i got my albion through posting on website pop me an email we have chat i got a brand new albion at half price as lady had far to many saddles (lucky her) will speak to you monday
MinHe
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 11:54:21 AM
Originally posted by littlearabians
sorry for perhaps asking silly questions... but as I'm new in England and we don't have ridden classes in Denmark there's a few tack questions from my side.
do you have to show in a show saddle, or would it be OK to use an ordinary dressage saddle? ... can you show your Arab in a snaffle, or does it have to be a double bridle? ... why cant a show saddle be black?
I have i black Kieffer Master dressage saddle, that i was hoping to use in ridden classes.
There is no reason why you can't - traditionally, showing saddles WERE brown, because in the old days the black dye was unreliable and would stain your clothes! Now, according to my saddler, it is a matter of taste - some people in some parts of the country prefer brown, some prefer black! I have both
Keren
birdof1977
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 08:33:25 AM Not a Frank Baines or a an albion, but I have my boy in a Jeffries Falcon VSD.
I can honestly say, one of the comfiest saddles I have ridden in and fits mine a treat. Although it is a little bit tatty in places, I will still be using it for showing in this year, mainly as I don't have the cash to purchase a new one at the moment, and also because he works so well in it. I think that the judges should give arabs a bit more le-way on what saddles the arabs are ridden in, especially as they are quite a difficult breed to fit as a rule, and as long as your tack is clean etc. I understand about having them more straight cut, to show shoulder movement. For me though, the comfort of my horse is always paramount to the style of saddle. If that makes sense. :)
Callisto
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 3:44:17 PM Leather seat and suede kneerolls would be my preferred choice, good for staying in position when they do sudden jinks sideways (seems to be a popular habit amongst our arabs, just to check we're still paying attention ), but I'm not overly keen on the suede seat - Lily's new saddle has one and having used it I don't like the 'fixed in one place' sensation but of course that is purely personal, although I shall continue with it since that is the saddle that fits her at the moment.
With reference to the Frank Baines, we supplied a profile of Harley's withers (taken with a flexible rule) and another a bit further back when we placed our order, don't know if this would help get a better fit if you were trying one on a sale or return basis...(Harley needed an XX wide...he's a 15hh well built crabbet type )
Pasha
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 10:23:10 AM
Originally posted by Callisto
I can throughly recommend the Frank Baines Working Hunter, Harley has had one for the last ten years and we have used it for endurance (he's Open level), hacking, showing and drag hunting. It's very comfortable and fine for jumping.
I LOVE the Frank Baines WH but my saddler doesn't stock them, so it would have to be a special order and if it didn't fit would be loads of hassel.... I might email them though to see if they will send it to her sale or return?
Now do I go for all leather or suede seat and knee rolls?
Pasha
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 10:20:37 AM
Originally posted by littlearabians
sorry for perhaps asking silly questions... but as I'm new in England and we don't have ridden classes in Denmark there's a few tack questions from my side.
do you have to show in a show saddle, or would it be OK to use an ordinary dressage saddle? ... can you show your Arab in a snaffle, or does it have to be a double bridle? ... why cant a show saddle be black?
I have i black Kieffer Master dressage saddle, that i was hoping to use in ridden classes.
A Brown English straight-cut saddle is the most correct BUT honestly you see all sorts and I would never say to anyone you HAVE to change your saddle. Use what you have, what is comfortable for you and your horse! Some judges may comment - if they're not used to riding in a dressage saddle it may be uncomfotable for them and therefore go against you, but i know of many who have successfully shown in them
I was going to use my black dressage tack last year, but I didn't manage to get out at all Now looking ahead for this year, I want a saddle I can jump, hack, show and do endurance in, which some would argue I could do in my dressage saddle, but they haven't seen Shesky launch himself over a trotting pole lol! So rather than get a GP that I can't really use for showing, i'm going to get a VSD that I can use for everything! Job done!
Regarding bridles - snaffles are ok for Novice but Double or Pelham should be used for Open x
Callisto
Posted - 14 Jan 2010 : 8:56:46 PM I can throughly recommend the Frank Baines Working Hunter, Harley has had one for the last ten years and we have used it for endurance (he's Open level), hacking, showing and drag hunting. It's very comfortable and fine for jumping.
littlearabians
Posted - 14 Jan 2010 : 6:15:11 PM sorry for perhaps asking silly questions... but as I'm new in England and we don't have ridden classes in Denmark there's a few tack questions from my side.
do you have to show in a show saddle, or would it be OK to use an ordinary dressage saddle? ... can you show your Arab in a snaffle, or does it have to be a double bridle? ... why cant a show saddle be black?
I have i black Kieffer Master dressage saddle, that i was hoping to use in ridden classes.
Pasha
Posted - 14 Jan 2010 : 1:51:51 PM Thanks guys - knew I could count on you!!! Especially thanks Garnet for the gorgeous photos - lovely RED rossie I spot there
Looks like it's a winner then Very pleased as it will match his Albion bridle
Gwidmum
Posted - 14 Jan 2010 : 1:28:23 PM Hi Pasha, we have an Albion VSD saddle for Mr Gwiddy...I had it shipped to the USA 10 years ago, and we have used it ever since! It still looks like new and is also my long distance saddle due to the fact it's so comfy! The judges have all commented on what a comfy saddle it is. His dressage saddle is also an Albion SL, which he has been shown in too? I think they are good value, never had any problems with ours.Good luck, Jean
garnet
Posted - 14 Jan 2010 : 1:22:11 PM Yes, I've got one and it's brilliant. Red had an Albion GP to start with which was also brilliant but as he changed shape and needed a new one I went for the VSD with a view to showing. Garnet also shared it - she had a Wycherly GP and a Robin Colman WH (both originally made for Autumn and altered to fit her) from age 4 to 22 before she changed shape enough to need a different saddle, and after trying several which didn't suit the fitter from Crewe Saddlery put Red's VSD on her and, guess what, it was brilliant on her as well! It might not be straight enough for some, but gives a very comfortable and secure ride which I think a lot of judges prefer anyway. Red is wearing it at Malvern in my sig pic and I will see if I can post a bigger pic for you to see. Big dressage square on first one doesn't do much for overall impression of saddle. Think that was his second ridden outing so he is looking quite green and I am riding quite short for security which may make it look less straight cut.
nn
Posted - 14 Jan 2010 : 12:21:25 PM Hi Pasha
Amy has an Albion VSD on her trad cob Paddy.
She shows him at county level in it no problems.
We have also had it on Ranger before he got his own saddle to show in and it was fine. The judges thought it was very comfortable.
We love it for Paddy as it is on a cob tree and so it sits really well on him.
)
Now looking ahead for this year, I want a saddle I can jump, hack, show and do endurance in, which some would argue I could do in my dressage saddle, but they haven't seen Shesky launch himself over a trotting pole lol! So rather than get a GP that I can't really use for showing, i'm going to get a VSD that I can use for everything! Job done!
