County Connection *any cheaper alternatives?*

[Justmyluck]

So my guy is in treatment for ulcers and I was give him a couple of days off because he's been in absolutely uncontrollable state under saddle recently.
Well I rode him today, and he had an attitude at first but settled right in and picked up the canter when ask. What I think made the difference? I was Riding in a 3500 dollar County dressage saddle and not my 20 year old Stubben Sigfried. It fit him and me like a glove.

Where I board is next to a show facility and the County rep was there for the dressage show, however the Paint show and dressage show switched weekends so she couldn't sell her saddles to western people. So she stopped by my barn, to hand out cards and I mentioned my horse and she did a free fitting with my saddle and showed me places where it didn't fit and made a detailed drawing of where the flocking needs to be moved for free. (This is all before I knew she was a County rep. The she goes let me show you one of my saddles.

I hadn't planned to ride him today but who the heck passes up test driving a Ferrari? It was OMG fabulous and I think my horse just loved it. Keep in mind this is all free she was there for about an hour and a half chatting me up and giving me saddle 101. She was AMAZING! Now to raise 3600 dollars for a new County Connection.

If anyone knows of a [good source for a] used County [edit] let me know!

[dwblover]

Well, could the ulcer treatment have produced the better attitude today instead of the saddle? Just my experience, but County reps always say your saddle fits horribly, they are there to sell you a saddle. And the reason she can talk to you for an hour and a half for free is County is paying her for her time. No offense, I LOVE County saddles, but I also know how the game is played:D. I prefer to use independent saddle fitters who will work with the saddle I have or show me a variety of saddles that might fit my horse. But by all means search on Ebay or perhaps pelham-saddlery or Rick's Heritage for a used County Connection. I used to ride in a County Perfection and it was wonderful!

[Justmyluck]

She didn't say the saddle fit horribly, she told me where and what I could change in my saddle to make it fit better. Don't really care If County paid her or what all I know is I didn't pay a dime.

No doubt that the ulcer meds could of made the difference as well, but with what I'm on it should take 3 days before anything in his behavioral ways is noticeable and its only been one day.

I also told her several times that I was a college student and could not afford one of her saddles.

[Avishay]

A woman I ride for has two of these saddles. One she bought new from a rep, the other she bought gently used on Craigslist for $1200. The former fits me better (it's a 1/2 inch larger) and has a slightly more forward flap, so that's the one I use. I really like this saddle and though it's only about six years old, I think it's stayed in very good condition, even though the owner is terribly lax about tack care (I wipe it off after every ride and have conditioned it twice in the last year, she'd only ever cleaned it ONCE before that, she doesn't always keep it covered when not in use, and she rides it in jeans). I think that even though it's been fairly abused, it still looks good overall. I'm not sure that it's good enough to warrant the nearly $4k price tag, though.

I see them on eBay occasionally, and sometimes when browsing Craigslist. Even so, I think your best bet is to talk to the rep you met and ask her if she has any used saddles she had as demos or got as trade-ins.

[Bayou Roux]

Yes, we go from cranky, opinionated Morgans to supple, obedient Morgans with the switch from saddle X to Countys.

It infuriatingly clear that the $$$ one makes them happy, and the Connection made the crankiest alpha mare of them all nearly subservient...nearly....:lol:

[everyequine]

I bought mine on Ebay... I must say it's the most comfortable saddle I own. It was a custom 2xw tree, which fit my table top pony perfectly! What luck, a saddle I love, and fits both of us? County rep came out and reflocked it for me ($100), but it was money well spent. She said over all it was just about perfect, and that she couldn't have matched us up with one better!

[Justmyluck]

Is there perhaps a lower end saddle (not terribly low end) that would be some what comparable?

[bort84]

Yeah, I second the ebay thought. If you've already ridden in that type of saddle and know it fits, go with ebay. You can always get it adjusted slightly if it needs it. There are a LOT of nice saddles on ebay right now - I'm currently shopping too, and I can't believe all the great saddles going for low $$. I've seen several County Connections, so take a look. You'd probably only need to wait a couple of weeks (if there isn't one on there right now, and there might be) to find the right size.

I've always had great luck with ebay, just make sure you buy from a seller with a lot of good feedback.

Also, another option is to just google "County Connection used" and you'll come up with a lot of classified/consignment listings. Ebay tends to have cheaper prices though, in my experience.

[Lora]

Well, Just my experience, but County reps always say your saddle fits horribly, they are there to sell you a saddle. And the reason she can talk to you for an hour and a half for free is County is paying her for her time. No offense, I LOVE County saddles, but I also know how the game is played:D. I prefer to use independent saddle fitters who will work with the saddle I have or show me a variety of saddles that might fit my horse. But by all means search on Ebay or perhaps pelham-saddlery or Rick's Heritage for a used County Connection. I used to ride in a County Perfection and it was wonderful!


I had the total opposite experience - had a County rep out - he told me my saddle fitted perfect - I did a good job! Didn't try to sell me a saddle.

Lora

[Bayou Roux]

Just my experience, but County reps always say your saddle fits horribly, they are there to sell you a saddle.

Huh, bummer experience. My County Rep/Saddle Fitter did a fitting for me and said, "I cannot put this horse in a County. She needs a Passier."

And so I got one at Rick's and had her re-flock it, and all is happy in Saddlebred land.

The Morgans, however, seem to be made for Countys.

[dannysmom]

I just got mine a month ago and love it. I had lost my left lead canter transition and was having all kinds of trouble in my old saddle for both my poor horse and myself (you know it was bad when my husband begged me to get a new saddle!):winkgrin: First ride in the Connection and the left lead transition is back, lateral work is like floating and we have our flying changes. Third Level here we come!!!

I tried several other saddles trying to save money and none of them worked for us. This was the only saddle that fit us both well and that includes two other custom saddle brands that I had come do fittings.

I say it is worth the money!

[FairWeather]

Lovely if they fit the horse, not so much if they dont, like any saddle. Mine doesn't fit anymore, so I have to find something else. WAH!

[Samantha37]

Oh, I hear you with loving the Countys! I rode him my trainer's Innovation for jumping and have never felt so secure... then she let me borrow her dressage saddle (not sure which model, possibly the Connection) and I was like you- wasn't planning on riding that day, but couldn't pass it up. My horse went wonderfully in it and I was able to get a lovely long leg that I just can't get without struggling in my Wintec dressage saddle.
Now I ride every day in my Wintec, and whine because I can't afford 2 saddles- and the jumping one is coming first :)

There is a really great price on a 17m Connection on ebay right now if anyone else is looking...

[bort84]

Yeah, I've seen a LOT of very reasonably priced Countys on ebay lately (like under $1,000, some WAY under) so definitely go look there if you already know your size. Although it's slightly riskier than some of the tack shops that will send you a saddle on trial, I find that the prices are significantly lower on ebay (you can always resell it! I've had great luck with that). So if you're really trying to find a bargain, stalk the Countys on ebay for a month or so, and I can almost guarantee you'll get lucky = ) Again, just watch the feedback ratings. Some sellers even offer a return policy.

[Somantu]

Is there perhaps a lower end saddle (not terribly low end) that would be some what comparable?

When it was time for a new saddle I went for a County.

My mind was set on a Connection... but once my ass hit the demo saddles, I ended up w/a Competitor. Riding, I didn't feel much of a difference between the two. The Competitor fit me better... and cost 600 bucks less!

Good Luck!

[reidsporthorses.nz]

ebay- there are connections quite regularly.

[HCF]

I have a County Connection, which I love! I got mine direct from County - it was used/demo and I got it at a great price considering it looks brand new. You might want to ask the rep or contact the main County office directly (there is an email on their website) and ask about used/demos in your required size.

There is also a 17.5 N Connection on ebay right now!

Before my Connection, I had a couple Competitors, which were great, too. There are always a bunch on ebay at great prices!

[Secretariat2]

I just sold a Connection, 17.5 with a medium tree. I put it on consignment with Middleburg Tack Exchange and it sold the first month. They had some others on consignment so you might want to check their website. Mine was in near mint condition and I asked $1900 for it and accepted an offer for $1850.

I agree, they are lovely saddles. I ride in my other Connection which fits my mare better (wide tree), so I had two of them at one point! I bought them both used and paid $2000 for one and $1600 for the other.

[bort84]

Also, I just got a lot of great used saddle website recommendations on another thread I started on here. Those places have lots of Countys too (though sometimes more expensive than ebay). And now's the time to pop in with a lowball offer even if it seems ridiculous. A lot of people are trying to get a quick sale right now. So if something's just out of your price range, give it a shot. The worst that can happen is they say no or get slightly snippy. It happens.

I think if you're willing to be patient while you're looking (reeeally hard, I know, I'm trying to find a cheap-ish used Passier right now, and really I want it NOW!) I think you'll find that something comes up within a month or so. I think that's a better option than buying a cheaper alternative if you know this really works for you and your horse. Also, there are a lot of saddles that come up for sale with minor repair issues (stitching, torn keepers, etc) that sell for a lot less because people don't want to mess with it. And some minor cosmetic blemishes don't bother your horse a particle, and judges certainly won't knock you for it - Plus, once you're in the saddle, a lot of that stuff gets covered up. Be patient and flexible, and I bet you can find something perfect.

Also, off topic, but I noticed your signature "Preparedness is when luck meets opportunity." I've always said/heard it "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Just thought that was interesting (but it's probably not, haha).

[FairWeather]

Weird, I can't find any that have sold for less than 2k on Ebay?

[bort84]

Hmm, I feel almost certain I've seen them recently. Perhaps I was just seeing County dressage saddles in general? Or maybe the County Competitor - I bet that's what I've been seeing... The double Cs might have thrown me for a loop. So perhaps you should try a Competitor and see if that has a similar (or maybe better?) feel. I KNOW I've seen quite a few of those go for under $1,000, haha. I have no idea how they compare, but there was a lovely 17 #2 tree that just went for about $450 on warmbloods-for-sale.com. Anyway, just saying, deals are out there. Especially now - Woo for the used saddle shoppers!

[HCF]

Weird, I can't find any that have sold for less than 2k on Ebay?

If you look under completed listings, there are ones for $1400, $1750 and $1900. A couple of them didn't sell, but they could have been had for those prices as there were no reserves. I was watching a nice one back in Dec/Jan that ended up selling for around $1200. Could have kicked myself for missing that one!

[2horseowner]

Try tacktrader.com-have a good selection of Countys.

[Moderator 1]

This thread is getting a leeetle specific re: saddles available or wanted, which crosses the line re: the board's no-advertising policy. The OP has gotten some great suggestions for used saddle purveyors, and we add our suggestion that if you'd like to place a wanted ad on the forums, it's only $10!

Thanks,
Mod 1

[Dr. Doolittle]

I just sold a Connection, 17.5 with a medium tree. I put it on consignment with Middleburg Tack Exchange and it sold the first month. They had some others on consignment so you might want to check their website. Mine was in near mint condition and I asked $1900 for it and accepted an offer for $1850.

I agree, they are lovely saddles. I ride in my other Connection which fits my mare better (wide tree), so I had two of them at one point! I bought them both used and paid $2000 for one and $1600 for the other.


I BOUGHT that saddle! :D

Absolutely *love* it! :yes:

Sorry, mods...

[FairWeather]

I can't find any that *sold* on Ebay--well, just one for 1965$, but no others.
Ricks has them around that price too (2K)

[Secretariat2]

I BOUGHT that saddle! :D

Absolutely *love* it! :yes:

Sorry, mods...

Small world :) I'm glad you like the saddle. I was not using it and it was a shame to let it just sit. I just rode in my other one last weekend, just a trail ride. The saddle is a great trail saddle, believe it or not. Very comfortable :)

[Shirley Fargason]

My name is Shirley Fargason and I am the County rep. for Georgia and South Carolina.
I thought I would clear up a misconception about how and why any County rep. is paid for their work.
Saddle fittings are the personal business of any County Rep., not only are we not paid by the hour to do so...County doesn't pay us at all, for fittings...so..if the rep in question worked with this rider for an hour and a half for free...it was a gift.....what a great gesture............
We are compensated by the Company when we sell products (ie) saddles, girths, or pads...but County leaves the fittings to us...and we set our own fee schedules, as an aside,..many times I have let customers know that the saddle they ride in fits beautifully...if it does....and, if they're happy with it...they should keep it...In our training...we are taught that honesty is our best sales tool...so if a rider's saddle is a good fit...we'll tell them so...that way...they can speak well of County and their reps... if the time comes and they want to make a change...they'll remember us kindly:) Just FYI
& yeah...I want evryone in a County--I think they are the best that's why I work for them..............