"Can I afford this one?"
With tax season upon us, many friends are already advertising via social media 'how much money (my) refund is!" Thinking I would be in the same group, I decided to start looking for a dressage saddle (tax refund well spent, in my opinion)...
Here's the thing: Ruby and I don't do much dressage. Sure, they are part of horse trials. Sure, Debi is an amazing instructor. But do I REALLY need a dressage saddle? Probably not...but hey, you try riding a dressage test in a jump saddle- while everyone else at the show gawks at you like you're some country bumpkin (no offense intended)- and let me know what you think!
My original budget was $800. Note the 'was.' I combed through craigslist, scoured ebay, and harassed half a dozen saddlers and fitters in the AL/GA/FL/SC/NC area (hit most of the SE USA with even a few in PA and VA from my jump saddle fitting days!). Speaking of, I did look at Hastilow to make me a dressage saddle since I love my jump saddle so much, but that was no where near the budget. Anyway, $700 of increased budget later (up to $1500, for the mathematically-challenged), I was coming across some nice leather saddles that had good reviews online (because yes, I read reviews about everything before I decide to buy- thanks Amazon for grooming me for that habit). County, Black Country, Custom, Albion, Amerigo, Hastilow; all the brands fellow boarders recommended has something that fit the bill:
1. 17-17.5"
2. Wide tree
3. Leather
4. Black
5. Used in good condition
6. Lots of thigh support
Here is where I hit my first snag: I tried a few saddles (as I recommend you ALWAYS do when saddle shopping) and found out that sizes vary greatly between brands: County Fusion W was too narrow; Amerigo MW worked- but Albion MW was too narrow, Custom W worked for the Advantage but was too narrow for the Wolfgang Solo...and that was just tree size, not to mention panels, gullet, length to the last rib, etc. Unless someone wanted to let me take a saddle on trial (ebay didn't have much wiggle room here), there was no way to know for sure if the saddle would even fit. I had to calculate here: I could get a used saddle I really liked (Albion SLK) on ebay for $1100. Plus $135 saddle fitting. Plus pads if needed. Plus stress...I decided it was best to try to find a saddle through a friend or fitter so there would be no doubt about fit for Miss Ruby.
Enter Catherine at Embrace Saddle Fit. Catherine is a County rep that covers my area and whom I have used to annually to check my Hastilow (another thing I recommend since your horse's body changes- I mean, do your clothes fit exactly the same as they did a year ago? I know mine don't!) Catherine knew I was looking for a saddle and brought a few for me to try.
The first was a Custom Steffen's Advantage. I loved it! It was like riding in a couch, put me in a great position and fit Ruby nicely (with some flocking adjustments). The second was a Karl Niedersuss. Not bad; did not have the thigh support like the Custom, put me in a good position, but the twist was too narrow for me. The third was a Schleese. I came in biased about Schleese because I have heard mixed reviews but gave it a shot- well balanced, not a ton of padding, but pitched me forward. At this point, I already knew I wanted the Custom.
Snag number 2: Tax refund. Yeah, the large bonus I got last year tipped me over because it was not taxed at the correct bracket. Let's just say that I actually owe a decent chunk of change. Damn you federal government!
Saddle is on trial for 10 days while I figure out how and if I can pay for it. My birthday is this Thursday so I made my family very away that the best gift was money :)
Update: Went ahead and bought the saddle! Still having a little buyer's regret, but I know that this saddle will help Ruby and I work more on our dressage.
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