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Does anyone have any recommendations on quality dressage saddles under $1,500 USD?
I have ridden in a 2006 & 2010? Prestige Optimax dressage saddle and I loved them, but I am not sure how it compares to other dressage saddles overall.
1. What do you all think of them compared to other dressage saddles? 2. How do they hold up over time? 3. How easy are they to care for? 3. Is there a brand/model you like better? And why/why not do you like it better? 4. How much do you think a Prestige Optimax dressage saddle is worth? (Like a 2006 model w/minimal wear on the outside fenders/flaps.)
Thanks for reading and if you have any feedback/advice please comment below. |
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I have practically always swooned over my Bates dressage saddle but I actually found it didn't hold up very well...
I've ridden in Prestige and Crosby for the past 10 years and they have never worn or showed any signs of age in those years and I ride, show, hack, train constantly. Not sure how much yours would be worth without seeing a picture but they are the only saddles I HIGHLY recommend |
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I’ am obsessed with Hastilow competition saddles. I have 3 of my horses professionally fit by them and they a’re the most comfortable saddles I’ have sat in. They’re fantastic Edited at February 10, 2019 10:11 PM by BoggyBottom |
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I tried a Trilogy Verago 4 years ago and have never looked back. Brand new they are quite expensive but you can find used ones for a good deal on eBay and such. |
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i looove barnsbys. they are made super well and lasts a lifetime. They went bankrupt but if you find any used, consider yourself lucky! |
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I have the prestige Roma, and IÂ’m in love with it! IÂ’ve had mine for about 3 years now, and I bought it used, it hold up quite nicely. It does have larger thigh blocks, deep seat and long flaps, so if youÂ’re short I might not recommend it. But it a good price too. I got mine for $2000 Canadian. New they were about $2500 Canadian (sorry I donÂ’t know what that would be in USD) also I had been riding in Ann extremely dusty arena for 2 years with that saddle, and it stayed in really good condition (I did give it at least a quick wipe down after my rides) |
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The only good saddles that are worth your time I believe are very minimalistic saddles. No massive blocks, no super deep seat, no insanely high pommel. I'm a very firm believer in less is more. If you want to actually learn to ride, to sit, to hold yourself, get a minimalistic saddle like a Max Benz, an old school Stubben, a Marcus Krehan, one of the old Butet dressage saddles. These will get you far closer contact than most modern saddles, and you can truly feel every movement your horse makes and use your seat better.
Big blocks, high pommel, super deep seat doesn't teach you to ride, it forces you in a position and makes you "brace" against the saddle. I would consider one of these saddles before anything else.
EDIT-
I've always found prestige saddles to perch high off the back and aren't all they're cracked up to be. I've ridden in everything from them, to Hennig, to Equipe, to Custom. I hated them, the more I ride, the more I would highly recommend a saddle that won't "force" you into a position. You won't regret getting a minimal saddle. |
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