what kind of saddle for me. Have to make a decision soon!

[Annasmom]

:) So here is my next dilemma. I know that both Anna and I love pretty much every kind of stubben and that the 32 cm tree fits her like a glove. so here is my next dilemma. Me and my trainer are still working on the basics of collection and haven't started a certain disciple yet but we will in the next 2-3 months (hopefully) so anyways. I have always loved jumping and the thrill it gave me and anna being 1/2 TB has a pretty decent build for it as well as desire. But we have started some training dressage things and I find myself having a growning passion for dressage. :) I know its something I definintly want to get into but im pretty sure I want to start jumping first. Anyhow..

Caitlin (cloedoll.) found an awesome saddle for me that is a stubben Eidleweiss everything on it is perfect and its in perfect condition $525 is the starting bid it ends in 2 days and no one has bid on it. My parents offered to get it for me so that is an option but that would be the only other saddle they are getting

now I'm torn as to which kind I should get. Would this be suitable for the basic stuff and basic dressage principles we are learning now or not? Should I wait and get an all purpose , or should I get a dressage first and then a jumping when I start to jump. Also whats your favorite Stubben AP.

:):):):)

I would love opnions. I'm trying to decide this quickly so I can decide on the eidleweiss.

Thanks!

[Palogal]

I like the Stubben Woton. I did dressage and jumping for years in an AP before I bought a dressage saddle.

[Gypsy Rose]

The Edelweiss is a Close Contact saddle- more suitable for jumping than working on the flat.

If you can afford to get two good saddles, and you know that you may continue with the Dressage, then I wuld get both a Dressage and a jumping saddle like the Edelweiss.

If you're not really serious about the Dressage, a good VSD style all purpose may work for you.

[Annasmom]

thanks palo.

so gypsy.. with my budget of about $1000 would you reccomend I get two or get an AP.
can you show jump and show dressage in an AP. Thats the problem.
but if I got both a close contact and a dressage. which would I ride in on a daily basis.
oo.. so confusing

[Gypsy Rose]

You CAN do both in an AP at lower levels. the big thing is to get a saddle that's comfortable and fits both you and your horse.

He,he! To me, riding in a dressage saddle is more comfy, even more so than a western saddle, but that's just me. He, he! My Wintec Isabell is the next best thing to an Aussie stock saddle.:)

I have owned both- I still have my good Butler AP, but I don't use it any more- it should be reflocked, among other things.

I found that trying to ride Dressage in it correctly was very trying, lol! And it's a good VSD.

I would really consider having a long talk with your trainer and see what he/she thinks. Tell your trainer what your dilemma is, and how you at this point are enjoying both disciplines.

Since your trainer will have to instruct you in whatever saddle(s) you choose, it wouldn't hurt.

[cloedoll]

Have you sold your Circle Y (or whatever Western saddle you had) yet? If not, could your parents buy you the Stubben and you purchase a dressage saddle with the money from the Circle Y? An All Purpose would be fine for small jumps (nothing higher than 3') and dressage, but if you become more serious, you might want to have two different saddles.

[HeartofSteel]

You can show both dressage and jumping in a AP. I have done dressage in my Wintec Close Contact, it worked but it looked ridiculous and now looking back my dressage puts me in a way better position.
So yes you can ride dressage in anything but, the wrong saddle makes in extremely hard to ride correctly which can make you more frustrated. I have an Miller Klimke Dressage saddle that I absaloutley love it fit my old horse perfect and me as well, it made my dressage so much better after only had ridden in my CC. Although it was painful getting used to the dressage stirrup lengths (pommels and pelvis do not go together lol) it helped alot. Of course that saddle didn't fit my wide Haffie Niko so I got a 36 cm Duett Largo, I also love this saddle and it fits Niko perfectly.
My Best friend ride dressage as well and has a Wintec 2000 I think, its AP and she used to love it. Then she got a working student position at a dressage barn where they have Passier saddes and now she can't stand riding in the wintec AP, she says it makes it 10 times harder to ride correctly. She also love the thigh blocks on the Passier's lol.
So I'm not sure it totally matters what you end up getting, I am glad that I have my seperate dressage and cc saddles but if your budget isn't in for two then a AP might be your best choice as of right now.

[Palogal]

thanks palo.

so gypsy.. with my budget of about $1000 would you reccomend I get two or get an AP.
can you show jump and show dressage in an AP. Thats the problem.
but if I got both a close contact and a dressage. which would I ride in on a daily basis.
oo.. so confusing

Yes, and I did for years. I had an AP that I still jump in. My trainer loved to tell the story of the recognized dressage show she WON in a jumping saddle. Get an AP and if you discover you like dressage get a dressage saddle.

[Gypsy Rose]

The main thing would be to make sure that you get an AP that's geared morre toward flatwork. Many times, they'e referred to as a VSD style.

[Remali]

Gosh, unless you really are going to be doing jumping....I think doing dressage in anything but a dressage saddle would be difficult. But, that is maybe just me.... I always liked the looks of the Stubben Roxane.

[luvs2ride1979]

I had no problems showing Dressage in a VSS AP, with consistent 8s and 9s on my position (to Training 4). The only real difference between a VSS and VSD is the flap. I had no problem keeping a proper leg position (well under my hip) and leg contact with VSS flaps. You just have to learn to open those hips ;).

I would look at a Siegfried or Wotan, or a Passier PS Baum in a med-wide or wide tree (Passier tree can be adjusted by a saddler though). My mare fits great in both passiers or stubbens.

[Blue]

If you can afford it, it's better to do jumping in a close contact/jumping saddle and dressage in a dressage saddle. Or that's what I've always been told. If you end up getting the Stubben I have a used Wintec dressage I need to sell. ;) Haha. I was going to get into dressage, but now I'm doing hunters and I'm stuck with a dressage saddle I don't need or use. :doh:

[MileHighOlli]

The main thing would be to make sure that you get an AP that's geared morre toward flatwork. Many times, they'e referred to as a VSD style.

Yup. With stubben the VSD styles have flaps that are long enough for dressage, but forward enough for jumping. I completed my introductory level and first level tests in a stubben siegfried VSD and it worked just fine.