Henri De Rivel Close Contact Saddle

[shewasmyshadow]

I'm looking at getting a close contact saddle for my lessons. All they have at the stables for us lesson people are CHEAP OLD wintec A/P saddles. Blaw!! So, I decided I'm getting a saddle of my own! So, I was considering the Wintec Close Contact, but haven't read a lot of good reviews on them. So I've been looking at used leather saddles. I found one kind that I like now. It's called a Henri De Rivel Close Contact Saddle. I read the reviews on them and about 3/4 of them LOVE it and the other 1/4 HATE it. However, it's hard to trust reviews from people you don't know. Has anyone around here had experience with them?

[outriding01]

I would never ever pay money for an HDR. I've ridden in several on other people's horses and I personally hate them. They are not very well made. The trees have a habit of warping, the leather is inferior, and they are poorly balanced.

[shewasmyshadow]

How about a Crosby Prix Des Nations? I have a chance at one of those too.

[cloedoll]

Outriding01 pretty much said it all. Corsby Prix Des Nations are nice but they run really narrow throughout the gullet and channel.

[JetLagaside]

I love the Prix de Nations they put you in the right position. I've not had an issue with them running narrow mine is a true Med. tree.

[shewasmyshadow]

Well, the crosby is local, so I can actually do a trial on it. That is a BIG plus to me.

[farmers_wife]

Did you find that one on craigslist?

[shewasmyshadow]

Yeah, but I have a feeling something is wrong with or it's not real. It seems too good to be true.

[JennyandJosey]

I've always heard good things about Crosbys in general. I own an old one that has held up pretty well.

[NJrider]

My two cents: I had a HDR that I HATED. It constantly threw me off balance and we very uncomfortable. I have since sold it and bought a used Crosby. I LOVE the Crosby as much as I hated the HDR !!! It's perfect :)

[outriding01]

Crosbys are very nice saddles. I have a Crosby Centennial that I adore.

[zoel_222]

I have an HDR synthetic dressage model and I love it. Maybe I'm just weird :D