Amerigo Monoflap or Showjumping saddle?

[HCH]

If you had a choice of either saddle, and wanted to use it for both showjumping and cross country, which would you choose? This assumes you could have either one fit to your horse.

Appreciate all comments on either saddle.

THANKS!!!

[Jazzy Lady]

Amerigo Pinerolo. I love it for both.

[GBTeventing]

Second the Pinerolo. LOVE. IT.

[avezan]

A few notes on Amerigo saddles. Pinerolo is a type of leather. It is the soft, calfskin leather. Almost all current Amerigos are now sold with Pinerolo leather. Amerigo models are made to fit different types of horses backs. Right now, there are 2 main models of jumping saddle available, the close contact - designed for the TB type back, and the DJ - designed for a horse with a wider, straighter back. I'm not sure which one you are calling the show jumping model, probably the DJ? The CC model is the one most often seen in a monoflap, but either model can come in a monoflap or double flap and either model can come in Pinerolo leather or smooth or printed leather.

So, I think you question is: For both phases, should I go with monoflap or double flap? Find which model fits your horse, then decide if you want it in mono or double. Preferably find an Amerigo dealer that can measure your horse and recommend the right model and size.

[RunForIt]

I have an Amerigo CC saddle (pinerolo leather) with the tree made specifically for horses with curved backs. I went with the CC saddle rather than the monoflap event saddle because I needed a saddle that would work for flatwork AND jumping at BN and Novice. Even though I have a longish femur, the regular flap works perfectly for the stirrup length needed by BN and Novice xc jumping. Its incredibly balanced and my position and leg have improved simply by riding in the saddle. Horse is a 15.1 (on his tippy toes) OTTB quite widebacked and high narrow withers. Amerigo is the only saddle that fits his curved back. As we go up the levels, I'm going to need an event saddle FAR more than a dressage saddle so that's where the next $4200 I find out in the woods will be spent. Everyone can just roll their eyes as we continue to ride our dressage tests in his Amerigo CC saddle. :D

If Rasta's back wasn't so curved, I would be sitting in a Black Country something. However, Amerigo has made us both happy from the moment I first put the saddle on his back - money very well spent.

In your case, you just have to determine which model fits your needs best. I also have to think about wear and tear and longevity - do monoflaps hold up as well as regular flaps? Have fun deciding - I am happy that is one thing I DON'T have to do right now. :lol:

[jn4jenny]

I also have to think about wear and tear and longevity - do monoflaps hold up as well as regular flaps?

That was the #1 reason why I didn't go with a monoflap. Although I too ADORE my Amerigo, a calfskin monoflap didn't sound very longevity-friendly to me. If I was going to drop such a large amount of money, I needed the tack to last. On top of that, I am a lower-level rider and could use all the leg support I can get; a monoflap offers a more close contact feeling, but it also means that my horse would hear all of my unintentional "noise"!

I love my Amerigo Pinerolo CC, but if I had to criticize it, the calf skin leather is, well, calfskin. I go to lengths to protect the flaps; I oiled the whole thing with a very light coat of hydrophane to improve water resistance (so that I can wipe the whole thing off with a damp cloth after every ride) and I use Lederbalsam about once every two weeks to keep everything robust. But I guess that's the same problem you'd have with any expensive calfskin saddle.

[HCH]

I guess what i am trying to figure out, is which saddle is best for both XC and show jumping, the more forward XC model (Amerigo Event Pinerolo Monoflap Close Contact), or the designed for show jumping (Amerigo Pinerolo Jump Close Contact). These are the names used on their website. I hadnt heard that you could get the show jumping models in monoflap.

Thanks for all your words of wisdom and experiences.

[RunForIt]

I had a saddle fitter NOT associated with Amerigo recommend the saddle because of my horse's back - I believe that you can request a monoflap in the regular CC saddles, as well as chose your leather.

[avezan]

I guess what i am trying to figure out, is which saddle is best for both XC and show jumping, the more forward XC model (Amerigo Event Pinerolo Monoflap Close Contact), or the designed for show jumping (Amerigo Pinerolo Jump Close Contact). These are the names used on their website. I hadnt heard that you could get the show jumping models in monoflap.

Thanks for all your words of wisdom and experiences.

Now, I'm not 100% sure of this, because I haven't sat in the regular CC, but I think they they are identical except for the mono vs double flaps. I don't think the monoflap is any more forward. Its definitely not forward enough for me. :( I wish it were more forward. I think they call it the event saddle just because it is a monoflap.

[HCH]

Well, the Amerigo rep I have been dealing with feels there is a difference bc she has recommended the showjumping model to me if i want to use the saddle for both. She felt if you could not have two separate saddles for each phase, the show jumping was better for both. But I wanted to hear from people with experience using the saddle bc I have heard from both amatuer and professional riders (with different brand saddles - Devocoux and Prestige) say that they love their monoflap saddle for both phases.

[bigbaytb]

i have an amerigo momoflap just by chance. lets just say that it was exactly what i was looking for and found it on ebay, or I would have never purchased one. it was a year old at the time and it looks like it's custom to fit me and my horse.

I love the saddle and do my xc and stadium and also fox hunt in it. (i really should get a different saddle to foxhunt, but just don't want to go through the expense of a 3rd saddle now). i compete novice, but really feel that it just helped me with my position and a feel very secure in the saddle. i've had a wintec and a courbette vision..both saddles felt like i was fighting the saddle to keep balance. because my amerigo monoflap is so well balanced for me and my horse that i just cannot jump without it.

I just think if you find the "it" saddle for you and your horse, go with it and it really doesn't matter if its a monoflap or not. you can feel the difference with just a really well fitting and balanced saddle.

[HCH]

Thanks everyone for your words of wisdom. I won this saddle and have a choice of any Amerigo, so I thought a great way to see what could work is to ask fellow COTHers. If I had not won this saddle I would be waiting for the "it" saddle to fall in my lap (and this one did so to speak!) They are sending me a monoflap XC to try before i choose which one I want (my horses have already been measured), but there is a wait list for it and I dont know when I will get it.

[RunForIt]

Lynn at Atlanta Saddlery fit Rasta for me and its absolutely perfect on him...AND me. You're going to love the saddle no matter which one you get. Congratualtions on the "win" that brought you the saddle - I LOVE your horse! :cool:

[jn4jenny]

Honestly, you're asking an impossible question. ALL of the Amerigo saddles are going to have that wonderful rider-forward balance point. Beyond that, it's personal preference whether you like the monoflap or the double flap. Neither one is "bad". Sort of like how some people just prefer boy shorts and some people just prefer thongs and some people just prefer bikinis. ;)

I've already stated my reasons for going double flap. I don't feel that my lower-level riding needs call for extreme close contact, I am concerned about the durability of the monoflap model, and here's some other pretty minor reasons why I didn't go monoflap: I have long legs and the long billet/short girth system would likely interfere with my ankle position, I already own plenty of long girths and own no short girths so I'd have to invest in two or three short girths and I don't care to spend that cash, I want a saddle that will be acceptable and presentable for the occasional hunter show should I ever choose to cross disciplines (unlikely but possible), I expect resale on the double flap to be easier because it will also be suitable for the hunter ring in addition to eventing/jumpers (although it would take a lot to convince me to sell it), and I just don't think monoflaps are all that. Some people would disagree with all of those reasons; those people own a monoflap. :lol: If the monoflap works for you, then buy it.

If you're interested in general feedback about monoflaps, search the Eventing forum for "monoflap". There was a thread recently about people who like and dislike monoflaps and their reasons for that choice.