My Rolex shopping find arrived! New monoflap saddle! Rode in it and LOVE it.

[tikidoc]

I didn't go to Rolex looking to buy a saddle but I did want to sit in several, with the plan to see what I liked and eventually buy a new jumping saddle, possibly a monoflap. I went to the British tent and saw a very nice looking saddle at the Barnsby booth. Asked to sit in it... heaven! Buttery soft calfskin, put my leg in the right place, very comfy. Medium tree, so should fit at least one of my two easy to fit boys.

Turns out they had been working with Clayton Fredericks to design a new monoflap jumping saddle, and there were a total of 5 prototypes made. The deal with Fredericks fell through for financial reasons, and 4 of the prototype saddles were sold in Europe. This was the one remaining. For about half the price of a Vega. So on the small chance it does not fit my boys, I should be able to resell and not lose any money.

I didn't have the cash with me to buy immediately but agreed to buy it (after getting the blessing from my DH - thanks, J!). The guys from Barnsby were going to be on the East coast and would pass right by my town on the way home. They dropped it by the house today and even had pre-oiled it.

I have yet to ride in it - it's raining today and I am working a 24 hour shift tomorrow, so I won't be able to ride in it until Monday. Happy Mother's Day to me! Here's a pic:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=431062&l=03ee9d4472&id=1129175141

[mcm7780]

Ohhh...that's pretty! Hope it fits at least one of your guys perfectly!

[vbunny]

Gorgeous.

[luise]

I can't wait to hear how it fits! I'm working on getting that Frank Baines monoflap to try.

[tikidoc]

I can't wait to hear how it fits! I'm working on getting that Frank Baines monoflap to try.

That's great! That is a gorgeous saddle. Let me know how it goes!

[luise]

That's great! That is a gorgeous saddle. Let me know how it goes!

And the best part is that the chiro came out yesterday--didn't need to do much, but she looked at my jump saddle and it rocks on his back. Too bad--so now I am going to look into new jump saddles!

[tikidoc]

I do want to give kudos to the Barnsby guys for the fantastic customer service. Thanks John! When I spoke to them on Friday and they told me they were staying about an hour up the road, I fully expected to drive up to get the saddle but they offered to drop it off. John was great about staying in touch after Rolex to make plans to get the saddle to me. They pre-oiled the saddle for me as well. And they even threw in some cleaner and saddle oil.

I am excited about trying the saddle tomorrow!

[FoxChaser]

If it doesn't fit, I'd be happy to take it off your hands! :)

[Mtn trails]

Ok, I'm officially jealous now. :D

[Trak_Eventer]

I can't wait to hear how it fits! I'm working on getting that Frank Baines monoflap to try.

I am working on getting a Frank Baines! Hopefully later this year! I sat in one and fell in love with it.

[tikidoc]

Oh. My God. I love this saddle. We went to school cross country today and I took the new saddle with me, intending to try it when warming up, maybe pop over a few little jumps and then switch to my regular saddle. I didn't bother switching. It fits my horse perfectly. The leather is so soft and grippy that it felt totally broken in from the very beginning. The flap is quite forward but very soft and flexible so it does not interfere with the horse's shoulder. And it puts my leg in a good position and seems to tip my balance a bit back compared to my regular saddle, which is good because I am a former hunter rider who constantly has to remind myself to sit back and quit tipping forward. I love love love this saddle.

A friend sat in it and says it rides a lot like an Amerigo monoflap. It is a shame that this saddle is not going to go into mass production by Barnsby, although when I did a search for "monoflap Fredericks" on Google and found a saddle by Southern Stars designed by the Fredericks that looks like a very similar design. I wonder if they ended up taking the design to another company to make for a little less money.

[Miriam]

I think Barnsby is one of those brands that doesn't get the credit it deserves. They make a great product and their customer service has been good for me. I love the way that saddle looks! It makes me sad they aren't going to make more of them.

[tikidoc]

This is the Southern Stars saddle:

http://www.bitofbritain.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=313

And:

http://store.southernstarssaddlery.com/p-72-eventing-saddle.aspx

I had never heard of Southern Stars before. Anyone? Just curious...

[luise]

I don't think Bit of Britain even has them anymore. I emailed them last year about the dressage saddle, and I believe they weren't carrying them. In fact, the person didn't even know what I was talking about!

[Centuree]

Gorgeous saddle. I love Barnsbys, they truly are a great saddle, am curious about how their x-treme (http://www.barnsby.com/products/saddles-xtreem-event-saddle/default.asp) saddles ride. Wish I could try some on, but no retailer in my area :(

[BAC]

Its beautiful and the leather looks so comfy and inviting, lucky you.

[CookiePony]

And the best part is that the chiro came out yesterday--didn't need to do much, but she looked at my jump saddle and it rocks on his back. Too bad--so now I am going to look into new jump saddles!

If you like your present saddle otherwise, a good fitter might be able to make flocking adjustments to correct this.