After an agonizing 5 hour drive, it was time to see if it fit:
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| Panels make perfect contact with his back all the way back with no bridging... |
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| I can see daylight through the channel, as Mary said I should... Also, that's my awesome Sunday stall replacement in the background. |
Now for width. Mary took me along on a couple of fittings at the show in order to show me what I needed to look for with the CWD Classic tree. She told me not to be surprised if it sat a little high in front when not girthed, and that with this saddle, that does not mean it's too narrow. The tree points are quite short, and the front panels themselves are actually flexible - you can bend them all the way back (looks terrifying!) - in order to give the horse complete freedom of the shoulder.
As a result, it is designed to meld around the horse's back and fit closely when girthed and in use and the panels are flexed, but the standing fit might seem less than ideal unless you know these saddles. She said she regularly has to explain this to people who look at the standing still fit and think they need a wider tree, and she wanted me to know what to look for.
So after several rounds of photos, Mary declared the fit "FREAKIN PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!" (Her words).
My first ride was unbelievable, and really opened my eyes to what my old saddle was doing to my position - but that's a subject for a post later on this week, after I've really had a chance to test it over fences. This is definitely not a flat saddle!
Yesssssss! Mary is the best. :)
ReplyDeleteYes she is.
DeleteI want a Mary....And a cwd! Looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteEveryone needs a Mary, she really outdid herself on this one. Thanks!
DeleteI think I would have kept the saddle in my hotel room...possibly in bed with me :)
ReplyDeleteTotally thought about it, but we got back to the hotel at 1am Eastern time...brain fog!
DeleteYeah, that saddle would not have stayed in the car! Glad if fits you and the pony! Hope this is the start of a long and happy saddle relationship. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, thanks! :)
DeleteYah! I'm so glad it fits. It's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteYAY! Finding one that fits is like hitting the jackpot!
ReplyDeleteOh man totally, and fits both of us - just amazing.
DeleteLove the saddle on him! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteYayyy! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteIt looks awesome! Can't wait to see pics of you riding in it!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I don't get many opportunities for photos, but maybe someone will do me a solid and take some sometime soon.
DeleteWOOHOOO! New saddle looks awesome! And congrats on the swag!
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
DeleteSo happy! What a nice saddle!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteOMG LOVE
ReplyDeleteMee toooooo.
Delete-wipes drool off keyboard-
ReplyDeleteTotally. I took it home with me partially to touch it every so often.
DeleteCongrats, it looks great :)
ReplyDeleteYeeehawww! Let the new saddle adventures begin!
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea! It makes me feel like I could jump 3' tomorrow.
DeleteEee!! Huge congrats on such a great saddle!
ReplyDeleteWOOHOO!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! So happy for you and how perfect was it that everything just fell into place!
ReplyDeleteIt looks perfect! I can't wait to read about your adventures in it!
ReplyDeleteYay! It looks like it fits like a glove.
ReplyDeleteyay!!!! it's beautiful - congratulations!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! This is for sure my next saddle, Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIf you live in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa or Nebraska, I know who you can buy it from!
DeleteRhyme has the SAME problem. Big shoulders,wide girth area. My voltaire has the short points, flexible panels He loves it! congrats on ending the saddle search!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous saddle! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI remember the end of my saddle journey. It was an amazing feeling. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!!! Wishing you many amazing rides in an amazing saddle!!
ReplyDeleteEEEEEE!!!!!!! It's PERFECT!!!!!! Love love love!! :D Many happy rides!
ReplyDelete