Alright everyone, I could use a little help.
I'm going to be starting my coming 4 year old gelding under saddle this week (I'm so excited!). I'm using a loaner saddle that fits him really well, but me? not so much. It also could really stand to be reflocked (panels have gotten stiff), though I bought a half pad that I think will keep that from being a problem. But the bottom line is, I'd rather own and ride my own saddle if I can. I'm looking for a dressage saddle, but eventually we'll be tackling the hunter ring, so I'd take a CC saddle as well. I prefer used so that I can afford to buy a better saddle than I could new, and also because I really hate breaking in new tack.
The problem here is that I'm 6'1", and while I'm pretty fit, I'm not a going to be strutting my stuff on America's Next Top Model anytime soon, either. Most of my height is in my legs, so I'm definitely going to need a 19" seat in dressage with an extended flap (I have a 34" inseam), or else a longer flap on an 18.5 CC. My horse needs a wide tree for sure - the saddle I'm borrowing is a Stubben CC that was pro fitted for an arab. My guy is Belgian x tb, but the TB makes it so that he's not wide enough to go with an x-wide tree, so draft saddles are out of the question. I'm also picky when it comes to dressage saddles - I prefer saddles that have very little by way of thigh-blocks, and a relatively shallower seat, I've got a good, independent seat and I don't want to feel like the saddle is holding me in place.
I live in So Cal, and I've put out feelers with multiple local tack shops and consignment dealers, and so far, no leads. I had a few nibbles on ebay (which I check daily) and I've done numerous Google searches, but so far nothing has met all my requirements for both fit and price.
My budget is about $450 max right now including shipping (pathetic, I know *sob*), and for the forseeable future (college + two horses + rising gas and hay costs = me on a very tight budget >_<). I have adequate fittings, though, so I don't need a saddle to come with those.
If anyone here owns such a rare gem of a saddle they're not using, or know of someone/someplace that might, I'd be very grateful!
I'm going to be starting my coming 4 year old gelding under saddle this week (I'm so excited!). I'm using a loaner saddle that fits him really well, but me? not so much. It also could really stand to be reflocked (panels have gotten stiff), though I bought a half pad that I think will keep that from being a problem. But the bottom line is, I'd rather own and ride my own saddle if I can. I'm looking for a dressage saddle, but eventually we'll be tackling the hunter ring, so I'd take a CC saddle as well. I prefer used so that I can afford to buy a better saddle than I could new, and also because I really hate breaking in new tack.
The problem here is that I'm 6'1", and while I'm pretty fit, I'm not a going to be strutting my stuff on America's Next Top Model anytime soon, either. Most of my height is in my legs, so I'm definitely going to need a 19" seat in dressage with an extended flap (I have a 34" inseam), or else a longer flap on an 18.5 CC. My horse needs a wide tree for sure - the saddle I'm borrowing is a Stubben CC that was pro fitted for an arab. My guy is Belgian x tb, but the TB makes it so that he's not wide enough to go with an x-wide tree, so draft saddles are out of the question. I'm also picky when it comes to dressage saddles - I prefer saddles that have very little by way of thigh-blocks, and a relatively shallower seat, I've got a good, independent seat and I don't want to feel like the saddle is holding me in place.
I live in So Cal, and I've put out feelers with multiple local tack shops and consignment dealers, and so far, no leads. I had a few nibbles on ebay (which I check daily) and I've done numerous Google searches, but so far nothing has met all my requirements for both fit and price.
My budget is about $450 max right now including shipping (pathetic, I know *sob*), and for the forseeable future (college + two horses + rising gas and hay costs = me on a very tight budget >_<). I have adequate fittings, though, so I don't need a saddle to come with those.
If anyone here owns such a rare gem of a saddle they're not using, or know of someone/someplace that might, I'd be very grateful!
