CC vs. All purpose saddles - PLEASE HELP

[joharavhf]

So I'm in search of a new jumping saddle. Previously I've always had All Purpose saddles for all phases - I was riding BN....I plan to ride my new guy elementary and *maybe* beginner novice at the end of the season this year.

So I bought an Albion dressage saddle that I LOVE. It is wonderful - so I have a dressage saddle. I had previously been riding in a STUPID Wintec A/P....I hate that saddle and it NEEDS to go!

Now I'm beginning my look for a jumping saddle. I bought a Dover Circuit XC saddle today - it's says it's a deeper seated saddle...and when I sat on it in the store I liked it. I get it home. It fits the horse WONDERFULLY (I was blessed this time - it seems like EVERY saddle I put on his back fits him!). I go to ride in it. Granted, I had tube socks over the leathers and no boots (just paddock boots).....But the saddle was so darned slippery - AND I FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO FALL OFF THE BACK OF IT!!!!!! My leg felt pretty secure once I jacked the stirrups up 2 more holes than I normally jump in.....

Do ALL CC saddles feel like you're falling off the back???? If so, maybe I'll buy another all purpose :D

Any recommendations for a DEEP seated jumping saddle??? I'm getting old and want to feel like there is more leather wrapped around me!

THANKS!

[MustangSally00]

Most CC saddles should not feel like you are sliding off of the back. The seat may be a little small, the saddle might be tipped back a bit or the slippery flap may have sent your leg forward and your fanny backward. Also, I have heard that the Dover saddles tend to be slippery - very slippery - especially when they are new.

If a saddle, any saddle, fits well you will feel comfortable. Maybe the saddle needs a couple more rides or it just isn't the saddle for you.

Good luck!

[TheBrightSide06]

An all purpose saddle is a no purpose saddle.. :D

[joharavhf]

An all purpose saddle is a no purpose saddle.. :D

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I SAY USUALLY!!!!!!!! But I only mean that in terms of dressage, since I haven't actually seriously ridden in a close contact saddle....just tried one or two out.

I'm going to try a few other saddles since I wasn't in LOVE with the Dover. I don't *really* have a budget but I do want to stay as cheap as possible, LOL! I have this pony to buy a saddle for, and then I have a younger mare that I just backed this Fall. She's going to need her own saddle since - you guessed it - the two horses are totally different back wise!

[Curb Appeal]

Try to find a CC that you are comfortable in. I did fine over BN and some N fences in my Wintec 2000, but once I got to the bigger fences and banks the saddle just did not work anymore. The deep seat meant a higher cantle, which would catch me in the ass on some landings....not comfortable at all when navigating a drop.

[kashmere]

Stubben has some CCs with relatively deep seats.

[joharavhf]

So I just sent an email to Trumbull.

I sat in the Bates Caprilli CC saddle today and liked it actually MORE than the Dover (but the Dover was MUCH cheaper!). Also I've heard GREAT things about the Black Country saddles.

[JER]

An all purpose saddle is a no purpose saddle.. :D

I really dislike this saying. All saddles have the same basic purpose -- to provide the most comfortable fit and maximum freedom of movement for the job at hand.

So it depends on the horse and, to a lesser extent, the rider. Nothing is one-type-fits-all. I've had horses who do dressage in AP saddles due to fit issues. I've had horses that did Prelim and 4' jumpers in an AP due to fit. I know endurance riders who swear by the Wintec AP. I know foxhunters who use flat-as-a-pancake CC saddles. I've known horses that did conditioning work in dressage saddles.

[Curb Appeal]

I really dislike this saying. All saddles have the same basic purpose -- to provide the most comfortable fit and maximum freedom of movement for the job at hand.


"Jack of all trades, master of none" better fits the AP saddle. I loved my Wintec 2000. It was super comfy for long trail rides, secure for x-c jumping, and serviceable for dressage.

[Flying Hippotamus]

I don't like the expression about AP saddles either. I just pulled out my old AP to work my young horse. Deep for security but I can still get up in a half seat easily and pop over little fences too.

to the OP try the collegiate saddles. They are pretty cheap. They are soft and come in a couple different varieties last I looked - knee rolls or not, etc. Too bad the VTO 25% off sale is over that is when I got my last one. I think it was the connoisseur but they don't have that one any more. Or wait for that TOTD saddle to come up again, I like the looks of that one.

[JWB]

I love my Tolouse Legano- It's not SUPER deep but very secure. It has moveable blocks and the leather is very grippy and very comfortable. I feel very secure in mine. They tend to run a bit wide so if your horse is borderline, go down a size.

[joharavhf]

I love my Tolouse Legano- It's not SUPER deep but very secure. It has moveable blocks and the leather is very grippy and very comfortable. I feel very secure in mine. They tend to run a bit wide so if your horse is borderline, go down a size.


Quick question about the leather on this saddle - it's ailine, right??? Well...how do you CLEAN and condition that kind of leather???

THANKS!

[CarolinaGirl]

I would take a CC over an all purpose on almost any day. I can't stand most all purpose saddles. They tend to put me in a weird position or the flaps aren't forward enough for me to jump with.

[Mariequi]

Love my 30+ year old Stubben AP.

[flea]

I am resigned to using my Stubben Siegfried AP(sp?) forever. It has been great for stadium and xc. I do have a dressage saddle. I have extremely short thigh bone and every off the rack jump or xc saddle I have found has the flaps too long for me. The AP fits fine its just falling apart. Suggestions anyone? I can't get custom made at this point, maybe someday. Stubben can put shorter flaps on but I really need to find a used saddle.

[CookiePony]

Yes, Black Country makes wonderful CC saddles-- the Quantums. However, since you liked the Bates you might try a Wintec CC or ProJump. The ProJump is pretty sticky because of the equisuede. One caveat-- if you have a really long thigh you might not be able to shorten your stirrups enough in the Bates/Wintecs.

[joharavhf]

Thanks CookiePony for the input. I have normal thighs so that wouldn't be a problem :)

[joharavhf]

So I returned the Dover XC Elite today and took out the Bates Caprilli CC saddle. WHAT A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!!! I was wearing slippery pants and had the tube sock thing going on over the stirrup leathers. Despite this I was able to keep my balance and my butt didn't fall out. Now I'm not saying it was a stellar ride. I didn't have my spurs or whip to keep him going and if I drop forward my horse STOPS, LOL......So I'll have to work a lot on position, but I think once I can take the tube socks off and put my boots or half chaps on the saddle will feel much better.

I'm not IN LOVE with the saddle though. So here's a question for ya'll - do you HOLD OUT until you find a saddle you LOVE??? Or do you just go with one that will do the job? This wasn't a cheapo saddle - it cost me $1800....So I'm wondering - should I keep looking or just keep it???

THANKS!

[Hilary]

Keep looking - you may come back to this one, but you may find something better too.

I have a Prestige Eventer, which allows me to do decent flatwork (like in the winter when she's fat and my agenda is pretty easy) but is super secure to jump in.

Saddle fit is very personal - you and the horse. The saddle I love may give you pains you wouldn't describe to your gynocologist, and vice versa. And what fits one horse may feel awful on another.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

So I returned the Dover XC Elite today and took out the Bates Caprilli CC saddle. WHAT A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!!! I was wearing slippery pants and had the tube sock thing going on over the stirrup leathers. Despite this I was able to keep my balance and my butt didn't fall out. Now I'm not saying it was a stellar ride. I didn't have my spurs or whip to keep him going and if I drop forward my horse STOPS, LOL......So I'll have to work a lot on position, but I think once I can take the tube socks off and put my boots or half chaps on the saddle will feel much better.

I'm not IN LOVE with the saddle though. So here's a question for ya'll - do you HOLD OUT until you find a saddle you LOVE??? Or do you just go with one that will do the job? This wasn't a cheapo saddle - it cost me $1800....So I'm wondering - should I keep looking or just keep it???

THANKS!

keep looking. You said you bought and Albion dressage saddle and love it. Why not go one line and see if you can find one of their jumping saddles used. I've ridden in one of my friends (got to be 12-15 years old now) and really like it. Very well made and good balance. The balance of the saddle is really what will keep you in more than a deep seat.

[evntr06]

Truthfully, this is a personal decision, but for me, $1800 is a lot of money, and I would not spend it on a saddle that was just ok. I would spend that much money for THE saddle though (and probably more) if I had $$$ LOL. There is nothing wrong with buying a saddle that is just ok, and fits well both of you, but I prefer those to be a bit cheaper. :)

To me, the saddle has to work well for horse and rider and not work against rider. I also love when saddle makes me feel balanced and secure (I love my Berney Brother's Dublin Jumper). If you want a saddle that is specialized for jumping, it does not have to be a flat close contact saddle. There are many jumping saddles out there that are build with deeper (and for me) more secure seat.

[joharavhf]

keep looking. You said you bought and Albion dressage saddle and love it. Why not go one line and see if you can find one of their jumping saddles used.

Because they don't make them like my dressage saddle anymore :( I bought an original comfort, which was built more for the cob type back....Whereas the new Albions are built more for the TB back!

Thanks for your opinions on the saddle. So there IS a real love out there with my name on it :) YAH! Good to hear. Now I'm just going to go nutty trying to FIND it....Grrrrr.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Because they don't make them like my dressage saddle anymore :( I bought an original comfort, which was built more for the cob type back....Whereas the new Albions are built more for the TB back!

Thanks for your opinions on the saddle. So there IS a real love out there with my name on it :) YAH! Good to hear. Now I'm just going to go nutty trying to FIND it....Grrrrr.


I was actually meaning find a used older ones. The new Albions I'm pretty sure will be more that double 1800.

It would be lucky to find one....but give a few of the used saddle web sites a try.

That is interesting what you say about the new Albion saddles though.....my friend's were bought for very TB horses....not cob like at all....and these would have been the older versions. As in early 90's.

[joharavhf]

That is interesting what you say about the new Albion saddles though.....my friend's were bought for very TB horses....not cob like at all....and these would have been the older versions. As in early 90's.

When I say older, I mean REALLY old. The estimated age of my current Albion is 25 years old! :eek: At least that's what the saddler said. She is an Albion dealer and had NOTHING to do with the sale. But I did consult her before I bought it and she said that in all likelihood the "new" Albions would not fit my pony man, that they were made to fit more TB backs. Now, where she drew the line at "new vs. old" is beyond me!

[pattnic]

I also vote to keep searching. $1800 is an awful lot for "in like" as opposed to "in love." My saddle that I "love" cost me $500 (I got a VERY good deal - normally they sell for $1000 - $1200 used). My saddle that I "liked" cost me $800 or $1000. Guess which one I still have?

[joharavhf]

The search is still on. I returned the Caprilli today and picked up a Stubben Genesis CS. I hope I'm going to LOVE this saddle because I'm already sick of the process.....and mind you, this is only saddle #3! This saddle has the cushy leather - not exactly what it is, but it's textured and soft. Love the leather....It's grippy :) I'll report back later!

[Mariequi]

25 years? My Kieffer is 22 years old and my 2 Stubbens were 25 years old when I got them 25 years ago!

[Dawnd]

I'm not IN LOVE with the saddle though. So here's a question for ya'll - do you HOLD OUT until you find a saddle you LOVE??? Or do you just go with one that will do the job? This wasn't a cheapo saddle - it cost me $1800....So I'm wondering - should I keep looking or just keep it???

THANKS!


After trying different used saddles and being unhappy, I bought a new County Conquest and I knew in the first ride, even wrapped in tube socks, that it was the right one - I could instantly tell that if fit me and it fit my horse.

I'll have it forever!

The right saddle, is the right saddle and until it's right, it's just wrong. (or at least something like that!:lol:

[joharavhf]

The right saddle, is the right saddle and until it's right, it's just wrong. (or at least something like that!:lol:

Sigh. I think you are so right about this...With my dressage saddle I just KNEW IT right from the get go.

Unfortunately I didn't feel the love with the Stubben either....But the horse went *really* well in it. It was about 1cm too narrow for him, but he went really well anyways. I think the narrowness caused chair seat on me and I also felt like I wasn't that close to the horse (unlike the Caprilli where I felt REALLY close to the horse!).

So I'll take this one back and I'm going to try a M. Toulouse next. And then I'm going to try the Black Country's. I trying to avoid the Black Country's because of their sticker price and the pain of GETTING ONE here (either through the saddle fitter or through an "online tack shop".....)

[Fancy That]

So I just sent an email to Trumbull.

I sat in the Bates Caprilli CC saddle today and liked it actually MORE than the Dover (but the Dover was MUCH cheaper!). Also I've heard GREAT things about the Black Country saddles.

Love love love my Bates Caprilli Close Contact Saddle!! I have the Extra Wide Gullet for my fat-backed Morgan. I only do BN and am not a dressage aficianado, so I'm perfectly happy with it :) (I like to do local Hunter classes, Hunter Paces, etc...so again, CC is the way to go for me)

EDITED - oh, just read the whole thread and saw you tried but returned the Bates Caprilli CC....nevermind! :)

[joharavhf]

EDITED - oh, just read the whole thread and saw you tried but returned the Bates Caprilli CC....nevermind! :)

Well out of the 3 I've tried so far I've liked the Bates the mostest ;) I'm keeping it in mind, but I did just buy a Courbette Vision and hopefully I like THAT the mostest since it's about $1k cheaper than the Bates!

[VCT]

I recently bought a Collegiate Dignitary and I'm quite pleased with it. It's an AP type saddle. I wanted something for doing whatev with my two guys who both need a wide tree. Already had a CC and a Dressage Saddle and I have a Collegiate Senior Event but that one is a regular tree. I wanted something similar to that in a wide. Since they've changed the design on the Senior Event, I looked around and found the Dignitary which looked pretty close to the older model Senior Event and got that.

I wanted something with a deeper seat than the CC that I could also do small jumps in. One of my guys is 4 and though he's been nothing but angelic so far, I don't bounce anymore - at all. I especially like it when the horses are feeling frisky and I like it for everyday riding when I may do a little of this - a little of that. It works fine for me for basic dressage through small jumps...

Edited to add: Of course, you'll notice that the leather is very stiff and tough at first. Every Collegiate I've seen is like that, but they break in and soften eventually and wear like iron.