jumping saddle advice

michlar · 10-31-2009, 03:49 PM

Hi. I need some input on buying a jumping saddle for my daughter. She is taking lessons and has been jumping for a couple of years now. She is no longer riding a pony and is now riding an Arab. She has a good coach and is starting to really progress. She was using a good saddle, unsure of the maker but it is made in Argentina. But it is too deep in the seat and for a lack of a better term, she "crotches"( her word, not mine) herself on it. She is twelve and a half and about 5'3 with a small build. My issue is she wants to go with a flat jumping saddle, her coach is going to bring her one to try out but we will need to get our own. I would go for a good used one. Any suggestions from you horsetopians? I have seen some Collegiates but she feels they are not quite flat enough. She likes the one Wintec, the newest but the smallest seat we found was a 17. She would likely need a 15. She rides in a 14 western and swims in it but she is growing all the time and we don't want to continually replace the saddle. We would rather use a seat sizer than buy a really small one.

barnmom · 10-31-2009, 03:58 PM

This is Nicole's Ian Miller close contact jumping saddle, it is a 16" seat, she absolutely LOVES this saddle and is sick that she has to sell it, our Luigi has gotten so much muscle he needs a wide, it pinches in the shoulder. It is a med. tree.

On Weeg, Nicole is 5'7" about 125.

michlar · 10-31-2009, 04:00 PM

That is a beautiful saddle, a friend has one....drooling....likely out of our price range!!

Crygan · 10-31-2009, 04:05 PM

There are many great saddle makers, all depends on your price range. Just be sure that you purchase a CC (close contact) if you want a flat seat. Exselle, Jeffries, Pessoa, are just a few quality names. One that is not too terrribly expensive is the HDR and they have a decent leather close contact jumping saddle. Good Luck in your search.

Slim Pikkens · 10-31-2009, 05:19 PM

Don't go with a 15 as they are meant for smaller animals. I'd recommend a 16,1/2 as she will soon start maturing. When she is in the deepest part of the seat you should be able to get your hand comfortably between her butt and the edge of the cantle. (4") Check where her knees sit on the flap. They should be near the fullest part. If she is getting "crotched" I suspect her hips are a little too far over the pommel.

michlar · 10-31-2009, 06:06 PM

Yes, she is sitting way to far up because the saddle is too large. The seat is also quite deep which causes some issues for her. Her coach had mentioned that the flatter saddle would be better to grow into as well. I have a 17 inch but of course it has a back, deep seat and would be far too ugly for her to ever consider using!

Thanks for the feedback.

kshnooks · 11-01-2009, 10:45 AM

I actually came across a few Ian Millers in my saddle search and they were in my price range. I was looking in the $1000-$1200 range, so I don't know what you're looking for.

The saddle I ended up with that I LOFF is a Northrun Ashland. CC for sure, no knee/thigh rolls but it does have a padded flap so it affords a little extra security. The seat is considered medium deep, so not a flat pancake like an old PDN but also not a bucket like the fashionable french saddles. You can find these used, commonly in the 16-17 size range for less than $800. So its something to think about!

Also other recommendations really depend on your price range...I'm going to guess the cheaper the better (thats my attitude at least) so some others to consider would be Stubben (flat but HARD although a 12 year old might not mind and it gives you a great seat!) and as mentioned previously, Crosby PDN's. You can always find these used and cheap and they are both great saddles. Check ebay often!

EquineAlberta · 11-01-2009, 10:46 AM

I agree that a 16 inch or so would be a good size to fit ok now, but also to grow into. The knee blocks may need to be moved to assist her leg, but that is not that hard for a saddle maker to do.

Planning any trips to Edmonton? I have a 16 inch close contact that is made to fit arabians...16" seat. No knee blocks/rolls though...it is a "True" close contact. Made in England.

Karen

Slim Pikkens · 11-02-2009, 08:21 AM

All purpose saddles are usually deeper in the seat than jumping saddles. This is where you and she will have to decide - how much jumping as to how much hacking and schooling on the flat. She may find a close contact to her liking for jumping but perhaps not for schooling on the flat. Your best bet is to have her try various styles.

gypsygirl3 · 11-02-2009, 09:43 AM

i have an m toulouse celine, its a cc saddle great for jumping & just as easy to flat in. i got it used, but still in good condition off ebay for $550.

michlar · 11-07-2009, 12:43 PM

thanks for all the advice. So far we have found that most multi-purpose saddles are not good for her as far as jumping goes. We are not looking at piling a whole bunch of money into a jumping saddle at this point. She also likes barrel racing as well which is the best thing about her horse, he pretty much can do anything. The jumping is her first interest though and they are progressing nicely. Funny what a real coach will do for a person and their horse! We are hoping our filly will turn out to be a decent barrel prospect so that the Arab can concentrate on jumping and english flat classes. The filly goes to the trainers next spring, she is built like a tank. Although, she can jump fences like a maniac, I don't see her being much of a hunter/jumper.

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10-31-2009, 03:49 PM
michlar Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: saskatchewan Posts: 615	jumping saddle advice Hi. I need some input on buying a jumping saddle for my daughter. She is taking lessons and has been jumping for a couple of years now. She is no longer riding a pony and is now riding an Arab. She has a good coach and is starting to really progress. She was using a good saddle, unsure of the maker but it is made in Argentina. But it is too deep in the seat and for a lack of a better term, she "crotches"( her word, not mine) herself on it. She is twelve and a half and about 5'3 with a small build. My issue is she wants to go with a flat jumping saddle, her coach is going to bring her one to try out but we will need to get our own. I would go for a good used one. Any suggestions from you horsetopians? I have seen some Collegiates but she feels they are not quite flat enough. She likes the one Wintec, the newest but the smallest seat we found was a 17. She would likely need a 15. She rides in a 14 western and swims in it but she is growing all the time and we don't want to continually replace the saddle. We would rather use a seat sizer than buy a really small one. __________________ The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~Arabian Proverb Happy to follow Dutchess to the end of the world and back!

10-31-2009, 03:58 PM
barnmom Coming two Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: northeast pennsylvania Posts: 1,995	This is Nicole's Ian Miller close contact jumping saddle, it is a 16" seat, she absolutely LOVES this saddle and is sick that she has to sell it, our Luigi has gotten so much muscle he needs a wide, it pinches in the shoulder. It is a med. tree. On Weeg, Nicole is 5'7" about 125. __________________ Remember to thank the horses for the happiness and joy we experience through them! It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice!

10-31-2009, 04:00 PM
michlar Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: saskatchewan Posts: 615	That is a beautiful saddle, a friend has one....drooling....likely out of our price range!! __________________ The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~Arabian Proverb Happy to follow Dutchess to the end of the world and back!

10-31-2009, 04:05 PM
Crygan Newborn Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Calgary Posts: 39	Too many saddles to choose from~! LOL There are many great saddle makers, all depends on your price range. Just be sure that you purchase a CC (close contact) if you want a flat seat. Exselle, Jeffries, Pessoa, are just a few quality names. One that is not too terrribly expensive is the HDR and they have a decent leather close contact jumping saddle. Good Luck in your search. __________________ ~addicted to horses

10-31-2009, 05:19 PM
Slim Pikkens Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,055	Don't go with a 15 as they are meant for smaller animals. I'd recommend a 16,1/2 as she will soon start maturing. When she is in the deepest part of the seat you should be able to get your hand comfortably between her butt and the edge of the cantle. (4") Check where her knees sit on the flap. They should be near the fullest part. If she is getting "crotched" I suspect her hips are a little too far over the pommel.

10-31-2009, 06:06 PM
michlar Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: saskatchewan Posts: 615	Yes, she is sitting way to far up because the saddle is too large. The seat is also quite deep which causes some issues for her. Her coach had mentioned that the flatter saddle would be better to grow into as well. I have a 17 inch but of course it has a back, deep seat and would be far too ugly for her to ever consider using! Thanks for the feedback. __________________ The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~Arabian Proverb Happy to follow Dutchess to the end of the world and back!

11-01-2009, 10:45 AM
kshnooks Started Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 2,389	I actually came across a few Ian Millers in my saddle search and they were in my price range. I was looking in the $1000-$1200 range, so I don't know what you're looking for. The saddle I ended up with that I LOFF is a Northrun Ashland. CC for sure, no knee/thigh rolls but it does have a padded flap so it affords a little extra security. The seat is considered medium deep, so not a flat pancake like an old PDN but also not a bucket like the fashionable french saddles. You can find these used, commonly in the 16-17 size range for less than $800. So its something to think about! Also other recommendations really depend on your price range...I'm going to guess the cheaper the better (thats my attitude at least) so some others to consider would be Stubben (flat but HARD although a 12 year old might not mind and it gives you a great seat!) and as mentioned previously, Crosby PDN's. You can always find these used and cheap and they are both great saddles. Check ebay often!

11-01-2009, 10:46 AM
EquineAlberta Kid Safe Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,015	I agree that a 16 inch or so would be a good size to fit ok now, but also to grow into. The knee blocks may need to be moved to assist her leg, but that is not that hard for a saddle maker to do. Planning any trips to Edmonton? I have a 16 inch close contact that is made to fit arabians...16" seat. No knee blocks/rolls though...it is a "True" close contact. Made in England. Karen __________________ New Hillside Website The Art of Praise

11-02-2009, 08:21 AM
Slim Pikkens Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,055	All purpose saddles are usually deeper in the seat than jumping saddles. This is where you and she will have to decide - how much jumping as to how much hacking and schooling on the flat. She may find a close contact to her liking for jumping but perhaps not for schooling on the flat. Your best bet is to have her try various styles.

11-02-2009, 09:43 AM
gypsygirl3 Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: wisconsin Posts: 27	i have an m toulouse celine, its a cc saddle great for jumping & just as easy to flat in. i got it used, but still in good condition off ebay for $550. __________________ pain is weakness leaving the body scout- 20yo pinto grade gelding <3 gypsy- 3yo black hano/tb mare <3

11-07-2009, 12:43 PM
michlar Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: saskatchewan Posts: 615	thanks for all the advice. So far we have found that most multi-purpose saddles are not good for her as far as jumping goes. We are not looking at piling a whole bunch of money into a jumping saddle at this point. She also likes barrel racing as well which is the best thing about her horse, he pretty much can do anything. The jumping is her first interest though and they are progressing nicely. Funny what a real coach will do for a person and their horse! We are hoping our filly will turn out to be a decent barrel prospect so that the Arab can concentrate on jumping and english flat classes. The filly goes to the trainers next spring, she is built like a tank. Although, she can jump fences like a maniac, I don't see her being much of a hunter/jumper. __________________ The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~Arabian Proverb Happy to follow Dutchess to the end of the world and back!