[CuteArabHunter]

Hey, what do you guys think of the Celine? Do you own one/ridden in one/ have a friend that has one? Are they good? Or not so much?

I am looking at used mostly. I also *love* the looks the the Pessoa AO, but they are a bit more expensive.

On that note, what do you think of the Pessoas?

Thanks!

[CuteArabHunter]

Bump.

Anyone?

[Personal Champ]

No experience with Toulouse, but extensive experience with Pessoa.

The AO is a great saddle. You will hear/read much about the quality going down in Pessoa since the move to Argentina in 2000? however I feel the quality is nice. What I do love about Pessoa is their unparalleled customer service - lifetime warranty on trees, and if you have a problem with the materials/craftsmanship, they really stand behind that also (within reasonable amount of time, of course - if your saddle is 10 years old and wearing in the seat, no).

I think their balance is wonderful, but that said, a saddle is an intensely individual purchase. You should try both if possible before you buy!

[CuteArabHunter]

Ok, Thanks for the feedback. I heard alot about the pessoa made in Argentina thing and was wondering if it was really that terrible. Good to hear it is not.

I surprised more people have not piped up about the Celine.

[alto]

Check Rick's Heritage Saddlery for their remaining clearance Pessoa saddles ("like new" translates as new, discontinued saddles).
If you find one that fits you & your horse, the build on these saddles is superior.

For Toulouse saddles, contact Lynda at Classic Saddlery - she knows her saddles & will be able to help you with fit & her company always has great deals on the MT's.

[TheJenners]

OP, I asked a few days ago about MT saddles with the Genesis trees, and didn't get many responses, but the ones I did were very positive about the saddles. I've decided to get one in a month or so.

[Dewey]

Most of the threads about Toulouse saddles on this forum aren't very positive because the consensus leans toward high-end, expensive saddles, especially French ones. That's great if you can afford it, but IMO the Toulouse is a good, inexpensive saddle.

I bought one, a Noelle, for my daughter several years ago for a hard-to-fit gelding we were leasing. The saddle is very comfortable and looks extremely handsome after three years of moderate use.

Our B/O uses them on her school horses. These saddles receive very heavy use and indifferent care. The kids love them and fight over them. They have held up well after about 6 years of heavy use.

As for the Celine, I have never ridden in one, but I know they are popular. One of the boarders at our barn has one, and she loves hers. It's a nice-looking saddle.

[Wizard of Oz's]

I have a Pessoa (not AO, but a similar model) that was made in those few iffy years and I didn't like it for awhile but it actually broke in very nicely and I LOVE the saddle now. All of the one's I've sat in have been very balanced and comfortable without all of that cushy stuff that makes you sit 2 feet above your horses back. Personally, I don't like Toulouse saddles at all, I would definitely go for a Pessoa.