saddle search

[firstlovesong]

I have ridden saddleseat my WHOLE life. I have never been comfortable riding in anything but a completely flat slick cutback saddleseat saddle. I bought a cheapy All Purpose saddle a while back to play in and absolutely HATED it. I dont think I got 20ft from the barn before I decided I hated it. But any way I really want a saddle to jump and play and trail ride in. I *think* I might like a close contact saddle better but I have been looking for a good used one on ebay and found pretty much nothing. Czar is black and I really want a black saddle although I know it is kind of frowned upon I just think he looks weird in brown tack. So I found these two but I am unsure. Opinions.. Suggestions.. Help finding another saddle?

Contestant #1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ENGLISH-SADDLE-GREAT-COST-16-inch-BLACK-LEATHER_W0QQitemZ350140895544QQihZ022QQcategoryZ11 1280QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZal go%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26ps%3D6
no pads or knee rolls which I like.. seems like it would be more like my cutback but I dont know the pictures dont really do it any justice. I cant tell what it looks like.

Contestant #2
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antill-English-Leather-GP-Saddle-17-Black-8-wide_W0QQitemZ170379154245QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Ho rse_Wear_Equipment?hash=item27ab639345&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
looks comfy.. definitely been used but its in another country and the shipping is $75.

Any thoughts? I dont want to spend a lot because I very well may hate the saddle but I want to try. Help??:huh:

[offgridgirl]

Yes, Close contact is the way to go.
I've got mine for sale as well I've got lots of extra pads and brand-new-never-on-a-horse girth. Safety Stirrups with extra elastics 16.5" seat Astor-stalker-Nafey(stamped and numbered), Meduim wide gullet. It is $325 plus shipping. Here are pictures.

[luvs2ride1979]

The first one is a crappy no-name Asian saddle. Definitely PASS!

The Antill saddle is a good saddle, made in England.

Black is going to be harder to find, since it's frowned upon in the US in Hunter classes by the judges, and in Jumpers and Eventing by the competitors/trainers.

I'll do some other hunting for you tomorrow. It's time for bed ;-).

[cloedoll]

Definitely pass on contestant number one. Although bidding has ended for contestand number two, that would be a great saddle to look into. Since you are used to saddle seat saddles, I'd stick with a plain flap, flat-seat CC. I'll look around for you. :)

[firstlovesong]

Thanks guys! Yeah the bidding probably ended on both of them I was just looking at them as a reference.