I've been casually looking for a Dressage saddle to get me by (to a Third Level schooling show, at which point Husband of the Year has promised to buy me a custom Dressage saddle) for a while. My criteria were as follows:
- Must be well-reviewed for fitting Cobs and Cob-type backs
- Must actually fit well when it gets here
- Must be something I'm excited to ride in. Knowing my CWD is sitting in the barn every time I ride in this saddle sort of sucks (YES THAT'S A FIRST WORLD PROBLEM) so I have to be happy about it.
- Must be cheap enough that I can make a profit on it if it doesn't work and I have to re-sell it.
- Must be Mary-approved. I know it won't be trainer-approved, and that's okay.
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| Really not the most challenging back to fit, as far as ponies go. |
That's how I ended up making an offer, which was accepted, on an almost brand new (demo) Thorowgood T8 for $550. Thorowgoods are built on the same trees as Kent & Masters and Fairfax, so I feel good about the choice shape-wise.
My trainer, after falling in love with the fit and quality of my CWD, won't be happy until I get something on par with it. While I can't blame her and would love a CWD Dressage saddle, I just can't afford that right now. So this will either work well enough to get me by, or it'll be for sale the day after it gets here. Fingers crossed! It should be here next week.
Exciting! I have been window-shopping for a dressage saddle as well but I really can't justify the expense since the jump saddle works mostly just fine for us at this point. Hope it fits!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty much there too, except for two things: my trainer has been saying that everything I'm working on right now would be easier in a Dressage saddle, and the fact that showing rated first level in a jump saddle is a bit of a faux pas. Otherwise, I'm happy in the CWD for flatting.
DeleteYep you definitely need it more than I do! No one cares for BN eventing and Training level schooling shows!
DeleteHow fun! Hope its perf when it gets here :D
ReplyDeleteMeeeeeee too. I hate this wait!
Deleteoooh great snag too for that price! i hope you love it!! so far i'm still quite pleased with the K&M i have on trial and anticipate finalizing the purchase
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE a K&M but they just never come up used. I'm so glad you like yours!
DeleteHope it fits perfectly! I am making due right now with my County shim padded up for Fergie - so interested to know how the Thorowgood works for Connor.
ReplyDeleteI have never had good luck with Counties fitting Connor, the tree is just too curvy. But I know Kelly Gage had Sinari in Counties and she was a Section D. It just depends!
DeleteTis the season. ;-) Hope it works!!
ReplyDeleteYEAH!!!! I hope that means what I think it means.
DeleteI hope it works!
ReplyDeleteWheee saddle shopping!
ReplyDeleteCongrats. I hope it works out.
ReplyDeleteHopefully trainer likes it! That's a great deal.
ReplyDeleteNice!!! Looking forward to hearing how you like it!
ReplyDeleteOooh, exciting! I am still quite pleased with mine after riding the entire season in it last year. Good deal, and I hope it works out beautifully for you both.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the (hopefully) new saddle!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you think of it and how it fits. I'm still sort of saddle shopping since Katai's saddle still has some issues with fit. I've been wondering about Thorowgoods.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Awesome!!! :D I think it will do the trick nicely.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad deal! Should work nicely :)
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed it fits well!!!
ReplyDelete