Saddle predicamit :( Prestige/Wintec

[BKDressage]

So here is my prob... Im an falling in love with the new Wintec Pros w/contourbloc. I found a package of girth, gullet set, leathers, irons, free shipping, and saddle cover for $800....OR I found a used Prestige 2000 in good condition for $1000 plus $40 in shipping. I used to own a wintec Isabell and loved it, and I now own a Prestige Doge, but got a 17 seat and I need a 16, and its slippery....decisions decisions....Help!

[Equibrit]

Simple - chose the one that FITS.

[BKDressage]

They both fit...:(

[Equibrit]

So - what's the predicamit ?

[BKDressage]

Im really stumped on which one to get...I cant get both...

[EqTrainer]

Knowing what I do about both those saddles, it's hard for me to think that both of them fit. So I agree w/Equibrit - buy the one that fits :)

[BKDressage]

what do you know about both the saddles? The prestige is the same size as my other prestige so I no it fits, and the Wintec has the Gullet system. My horse doesnt have a hard to fit back.

[narcisco]

Well, I'd go with the Prestige in a heart beat but that's because I find the Wintecs to be crotch crunchers that bring my legs too far back. A Prestige fits me. I can't say if that's what the others mean.

[eventer_mi]

You have better resell value with the leather Prestige. The Wintec will continue to lose value, as well as show more wear and tear more quickly. I'd go with the Prestige.

[Cincinnati]

If they both fit, then I would choose the Prestige. I have a 2000d and LOVE it. My seat is more correct in it than it was in a Niedersuess.
Also what eventer mi said: a quality leather saddle will hold its value much longer especially if it is taken care of.

[barbarachloejosie]

I agree, I love my Prestige 2000. The wintec dressage school saddle made me come up over the pomel, hurt my crotch, and put me in a terrible position.

[BKDressage]

Ok, thanks guys! I appreciate it...I was leaning that way. I was just being tossed up because of the interchangable gullet on the Wintec.

[EqTrainer]

The *back* of the gullet is not as wide in the Wintec as it is in the Prestige. The front adjusts but the back does not. That is what I was referring to. If a Prestige fits a horse really well, it's not likely that the Wintec will, too, as a big part of how a Prestige fits is panel shape and gullet width.

FWIW I ride well in either saddle, but my horse prefers my Prestige :)

[JB]

From what I know about the Wintec Pro (and if there are differences based on year, I'm not sure of that), the *shape* of the rear panels does not seem to lend itself to fitting the horse the same way the Prestige does. The WP seems to have a more angled shape to the rear panels, with the Prestige being flatter. So, unless the horse has just a certain shape, I can't see both of these fitting back there.

There's more to the fit than how wide it is up front :)

[butlerfamilyzoo]

Hands down, the prestige.

I will say the NEW wintecs will fit a wider range of horses as the gullet channel is much wider than the older models. The panels are also flatter without the "curve" mentioned above in the older models. HOWEVER, the new models may or may not be a good fit for YOU if you havent sat in them.

I went saddle browsing yesterday and discovered that contourblock NO WAY will work for me. I ended up being sold on the bates innova standard block, and they did not have the wintec without contourblock for me to see if it was similar.

While the others here say that the prestige will hold value over the wintec... I tend to disagree some. Yes, your prestige will probably stay in the $800-1000 range IF TAKEN CARE OF. But the wintecs are fairly forgiving when it comes to scratches, etc, and so many people are hung up on changeable gullets "fitting anything" (WHICH THEY DONT!) that i've found Wintecs keep a good value.

The new '09 wintecs are MUCH different to sit in than the Isabell.

But yes, my vote would be the prestige if it fits your horse. There is nothing comparable to good quality leather.

[Daatje]

I'm gonna disagree with everyone and say you should go with the Wintec Pro 2009. :)

I've got one and LOVE it. The '09 Wintecs have so many improvements over the old Wintec models (yes, even the Isabell) that you can't even compare them!

You can't beat the grip, they wear EXTREMELY well, clean easily and the back of the gullet in the new '09 Pro is over 4 fingers wide. The panels are softly flocked....not hard as rocks....and also very wide.

So, I vote Wintec Pro '09.

[Equibrit]

Well - that makes sense - you have one so it must be right !
pssssssst.................it's not about you!

[narcisco]

As for the resale value, all I know is that people have donated 20 or so Wintecs to our non-profit organization in the last two years, and only one Prestige. Come on people, pony up!

[NCSue]

I vote for the Prestige. What is it that you like about the Wintecs?

[BKDressage]

K, I appreciate all of the input. I did end up buying the Prestige 2000d. I was thinking when I sell me Prestige Doge, then I will get a new wintec 500 for the babies, and training horses for the adjustablity. :)

[butlerfamilyzoo]

The wintec 500 stirrup bars are more forward than the two new pro models. So you may want to buy that one on trial to make sure it works for you. It didnt for me when i sat on it in the tack store, put my leg too far forward. Dont know why they kept that stirrup bar more forward on the 500 but changed the Pros...

[redears]

I am wondering how someone knows if an '09 model of something "wears well" when it's only the 5th month of '09, as oppose to saddles that have been around longer than 5 months? Just curious.

I know someone who swears up and down that her boots are the most durable boots, because she's had hers for years without replacing them, she only rides a few times a year :lol:

[butlerfamilyzoo]

The '09 wintecs are still the same materials as the old wintecs. So it can be "assumed" it will wear the same. The only difference is the design.