I had totally given up on the saddle search. It was too hard to find something that fit a wide native pony breed that should have a flat back and doesn't, and my short legs. It's so so SO much easier to shop for a used jump saddle as a tiny person than it is a used Dressage saddle.
Then I'm sitting in the chair watching football the other night and my eBay Saved Searches sends me an alert. One of the alerts was for a 17" wide short flap Devoucoux Makila, and the asking price was really low - about the same as a pair of custom tall boots.
"Oh interesting," I think. "I wonder where in the country that is." They weren't offering trials, and I'm never buying another saddle without one given how hard he's been to fit. Turns out it was 40 minutes from my house, and the seller was willing to do a local trial!
One mad dash run to Indianapolis and then the barn later, and this happened:
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| Wrinkled seat, but the tree is in good condition. No worries, I checked. |
It's not perfect, but my trainer pronounced it the best she's ever seen on him. It's a bit too wide, but perfect with my Supracor pad. If I can't get it adjusted, it'll be a super easy flip for profit after a dye job. (It's not nearly as glossy black IRL as it is in that photo). There's actually already a girl in line for it at my barn.
And it's absolutely perfect for me. My trainer taught me a mini lesson in it, and it wasn't exactly easy to ride in, but that's because the saddle was trying to get me to properly open my hips and I was trying to curl into the fetal position. Hopefully the saddle wins, in the end. I can feel myself becoming a monoflap convert already.
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| I think my ass is French. Also, review coming on that sunshirt. |
I saw the photo on Instragram last night and did a lot of excited mental screaming for you. I hope it works out!!
ReplyDeleteMe too! It's mine one way or another, haha.
DeleteYahoo!
ReplyDeleteomggggg that is one hell of a saddle
ReplyDeleteYeah it's definitely nicer than anything I've seen in that price range. Hell, I've never seen a Devoucoux of any kind for that price before.
DeleteDevoucoux really does make the most amazing dressage saddles.
ReplyDeleteI have never sat in one before, but oh man, you are so right. I've never felt a Dressage saddle like this before.
DeleteYay for awesome saddles that fit! I'm also going to be anxiously waiting for that sunshirt review because it is in my favorite color, and I have a matchy matchy problem 😂
ReplyDeleteOh man. It is SO nice. And way outside my usual price range, but I had a gift card, so hooray! Haha.
DeleteOoh, I hope it works!
ReplyDeleteMe too. It's like, almost perfect.
DeleteSaw a Devoucoux at a second hand shop and the leather was amazing!! Fingers crossed it passes the trial with flying colours!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I hope so too!
DeleteExciting!!
ReplyDeleteYEssss, a unicorn! Congrads!
ReplyDeleteFor real.
DeleteSO excited. SO. :-) Happy trails! (/sandboxes, haha)
ReplyDeleteI thought you would be! Thanks!
DeleteDang! Awesome find!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was kinda magical.
DeleteMagic French bachelor for the win!!!
ReplyDeleteNow to find the man kind...jk I'm married. Haha.
DeleteYay! Hope the saddle wins. The Isabel was weird when we first got it because it fixed my position, but now it is really comfortable.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling this will be the same for sure.
DeleteFingers crossed it works out. It looks great, and comfy. I've only sat in like 3 dressage sales but I'm amazed how different they can all feel.
ReplyDeleteThey really are all different. I wouldn't call this one comfy, the seat is hard as a rock! But it's comfy in terms of the position it puts me in.
Deletewhat a fun new toy!!! I hope goldilocks thinks it is juuuuust right! ;) Better come try it out at my barn- we're getting mirrors!
ReplyDeleteOoooh I am desperate to! If only it didn't require taking an entire day off work, sigh.
DeleteThe exact saddle you needed in your area and not insanely expensive? I need your magical saddle finding abilities.
ReplyDeleteOnce you go French you never go back! Makilas are the bomb!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a win to me!!! Drooooool
ReplyDeleteI rode in one of those once! OMG it was sitting on a cloud. Or possibly making love to the Marshmellow man or something. Do dreamy.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you found something that works!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo!! So happy for you that you found a dressage saddle!
ReplyDeleteYay magical unicorn find - what a dream scenario. Fingers crossed it does the job for you guys - i hear/read great things about French tack 😈
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeletethat looks nice! Your position looks super in it. Hoping Connor approves!
The ebay gods have bestowed a lovely gift upon you!
ReplyDeleteSquee -- so exciting! I hope it ends up working out :D
ReplyDeleteI feel like an utter stalker commenting, but I just noticed a 16.5" Devoucoux dressage saddle available in my area... 1999 model. For $500. I saw that this unicorn was 17 (I just remembered that it was little compared to my needs ;) ) but if you're interested, I'm a big fan of the blog and would be happy to give you info/help out locally if needed!
ReplyDeleteExciting update: It's brown. Or at least it's faded to brown.
DeleteYes please! Not sure if you saw my other post, but this one is just a temporary solution and my barnmate is buying it permanently. I would love to hear about this one.
DeleteWant to shoot me an email? ashley.randel@gmail.com. Just noticed it for sale today, looks like it was listed yesterday.
Delete