Close Contact Saddle?

[PracticalCat]

I have a question about jumping saddles for my C1 Pony Clubber:

Is a close contact saddle okay for low level eventing? We live in a pretty remote area with little access to new or used saddles and a limited budget due to the current economy. I've come across an older Albion close contact saddle in great shape that fits my 13 year old daughter and her WB cross mare beautifully... but is a close contact saddle okay for cross-country? It does have a knee roll.
She has finally grown out of her trusty Stubben Rex and she already has a dressage saddle, so I'm unsure if I need to buy an all-purpose saddle or a close contact.
Thanks for any help you can give!

[Brown Horse]

Actually a CC saddle would be a million times better than an all purpose!

[Wee Dee Trrr]

Don't buy an all purpose. They are a hybrid that doesn't get anything right. If she already has a dressage saddle then she has no need to flat in her jump saddle. A close contact is better for her at this point. And I hear albions are nice saddles.

[S4zeus]

I would have to agree. Go for the CC saddle.

[CookiePony]

I have competed many times in CC saddles at the lower levels. If it fits the horse and rider, it will be fine. The main concern is whether she can shorten her stirrups enough for XC and maintain a balanced two-point position.

[joharavhf]

I have a cc saddle and a dressage saddle. I have found that all purpose means NO PURPOSE!!!! At least in MY case :D

[PracticalCat]

I don't know if you can tell anything about the saddle from this picture. My camera was acting up and I didn't get any really good ones of her riding in it.

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/lisainnorthidaho/?action=view&current=041.jpg

[CookiePony]

It looks to me like the flap is not quite forward enough. She is long-legged and her knee is running out of room even without having her stirrups very short.

[shamrocker]

My 14 year old daughter is also long legged like your daughter. I just had to buy a new saddle as her knee was coming over the flap when her stirrups were in XC position, hence really no support for her over the jumps. Looks like your daughter will have the same problem based upon your photo.

I think you need to look for a Close Contact jumping saddle with a pretty forward flap and at least a 17.5" seat. The size of the seat makes a big difference. The new saddle I just ordered is an 18", as it accomodates her long thigh well. I bought a Black Country Quantum.

There are many really good used CC saddles with a forward flap out there for a reasonable price. If you need some used saddle sites, send me a pm.:)

[PracticalCat]

Thanks for the input!
The Black Countrys look great. I'll do more looking into them.
We made the long trek into the city to the nearest tack shop today with the mare and the owner assured me the Roxane S was a perfect fit. When my daughter rode in it this afternoon, it popped up and down on her back.
Back to the shop with it.

[shamrocker]

Good observation! Many saddles look good while a horse is not in motion, but once they move, then you really see what you have. I know the Berney Brothers saddles have a very forward flap and people seem to really like them. They are not expensive at all and you can find a used one fairly easily or have one made for your horse for a little over $1000.00 with shipping included from Ireland. Not a bad deal! The Black Country's are expensive saddles, but not if you order them directly from the UK.:)

[Saskatoonian]

I'd say have her try everything you can find and go from there. I've tried so many jump saddles that others love - including the Black Country - and hated everything til I sat in a Stackhouse never liked anything as much as my Stubben Siegfried. As my Stackhouse is in the shop, I rode yesterday in a friend's Beval Natural. I liked it almost as much as my Stackhouse, and would take it XC any day.

[RunForIt]

I'd say have her try everything you can find and go from there. I've tried so many jump saddles that others love - including the Black Country - and hated everything til I sat in a Stackhouse never liked anything as much as my Stubben Siegfried. As my Stackhouse is in the shop, I rode yesterday in a friend's Beval Natural. I liked it almost as much as my Stackhouse, and would take it XC any day.

I did my first two Novices in a Beval Natural a saddle that I love to this day- HOWEVER, I soon figured out that my stirrups were two holes too long and once adjusted: knee way over flap!

I just sold a custom Black Country XC saddle for $1600; you are much better off $$$ wise to have a trained, competent saddle fitter measure both your daughter and her horse, and look for used saddles that fit them both MOVING. just ask me how I know....from school of learning by spending money on the saddle that "looks" like it fits.... :cool:

[splash2009]

What size is she? I have a 16.5 MW Black Country saddle for sale if that would be a fit.
It is in demo condition and all you can see is some faint marks on the flaps from the leathers and the billets.
It was reflocked in March.
Let me know if that might be a fit.
I'm 5'2" and petite and I love this saddle but I sold my horse so...

[wildlifer]

You absolutely can event lower levels in a CC -- I do it and have no problems doing all three phases. I have a Collegiate Convertible Diploma long flap, lord I love that saddle. But I have this insanely long thigh, so I had to work really hard to find something that would fit my leg but not cost some insane amount of money.