Ovation Jr. Jumping Saddle - Anyone have any experience with this saddle?

[katie16]

Wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Ovation Jr. Jumping Saddle?

I came across one at a great price and was thinking of picking it up to add to the collection for the lesson horses/ponies, but was hoping to get some feedback from those who have experience with it first.

It is definitely a "lower end" saddle compared to my other lesson horse saddles that are Steubben Rex, Beval Ltd, Beval Butet, and a tiny Jimmy's - but I cannot really afford to add another of that caliber at this time. I also have a couple kids with "starter saddles" that are Rodrigo Pessoas and Ian Miller Freshmans - any idea how they compare with the Ovation Jr Jumping saddle?

[LARGEBORE]

All three saddles are actually made by the same company. The Ovation saddles are made by the original maker of the Collegiate saddles. [ the new Collegiates are not] Frankly, the Ovation is a hidden gem. You absouletly cannot find a better saddle for the money. Promise.

[dauphine2]

Weren't the older Collegiates made by a company called Borelli or something? We've got some pretty old saddles at our barn, cira 1980 that are used as lesson saddles. Two of them look and fit exactly the same. One is a Borelli and one is Collegiate.


But yes, Ovation saddles are great for the price! Much better than an HDR or something like that.

Where exactly were you able to find a little Jimmy's? I've never seen one smaller than 16" or so.

[LARGEBORE]

wow what a great eye for detail !

The Borelli is actually a brand that Millers owned and not the company that made the saddles. But the Borelli collection was indeed made by the same people who later made the Collegiage saddle. Huge improvements on the Collegiate over the Borelli but yep, same maker.

[katie16]

Where exactly were you able to find a little Jimmy's? I've never seen one smaller than 16" or so.

It is OLD!!! I bought it used from a former customer back in the early 90's. I know they bought it used from wherever they got it before they came to me, so it's been around a while! But it's been well cared for so it's stood up reasonably well. Of course the billets have been replaced a few times and it's been restuffed as well. I think because it's small (14") it doesn't get quite as much use as some other saddles do and I think that has helped its longevity as well.

[PROTACKGUY]

I agree it is really a terrific saddle...

[katie16]

Any idea how it compares to the Rodrigo Pessoa Pony Saddle in these three ways:

Quality of the materials and workmanship

Fit for the ponies

How it easily and correctly it seats the rider

[PROTACKGUY]

The Pessoa Pony saddle has a unique tree built for ponies.
It is called a halflinger tree and Nelson actually fitted it on over 100 ponies before finalizing on the tree. It is the best fitting pony I have seen.
The Ovation compares favorably in terms of materials and workmanship..