Collegiate vs Croswell

[horsecrazy333]

Ok Guys <br /> <br />I have a dilema. I've now ridden in the Collegiate Senior Event and the Croswell A/P. I like both, but have found 2 Collegiate on ebay for about $250-$350 Canadian. <br /> <br />Which one do you all recommend. Keeping in mind I'd like to do dressage in it but can't afford a dressage saddle right now and both of these are real deep seat awesome dressage position saddles.

[AWSgurl]

I would be worried if they fit or not, if I am not mistaken the Collegiate are stuffed with foam.....so they can't be&nbsp;restuffed to fit your horse.....better to buy something locally that you can take on trial.......there are lots of used saddles at tack shops, where are you located and I can give you some names.....<IMG src="smileys/smiley17.gif" border="0">

[horsecrazy333]

Thanks AWS. I've tried both of these on Emma and ridden in them which is why I'm considering them. <br /> <br />I'm in Oakville and I know Bahr's does carry used as does Greenhawk. Any other suggestions?

[AWSgurl]

Baker's and Foxhunter in stouffville.......they are priced pretty good.
Foxhunter has a web site&nbsp;<edited><editID>AWSgurl</editID><editDate>38398.6887384259</editDate></edited>

[Marty_Jones]

Im a Stubben girl<IMG src="smileys/smiley14.gif" border="0">&nbsp;So Im usless to you but I'd go for the one that fits you and your horse and if they both do then go for the comfiest. And if they both are comfy then go for the nicest looking one I guess<IMG src="smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0">. I know my next saddles are the Bates Caprilli dressage and event. I'll be matching.<IMG src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0">&nbsp;and my pocket will be hurting<IMG src="smileys/smiley18.gif" border="0">&nbsp;But they will always fit every horse that I'll put them on<IMG src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0">

[*rickie*]

Although I haven't ridden or seen a Croswell A/P, I really like the Collegiate.....My coach had a used one in her school, and it was the saddle that I punked when training ALL horses (it fit everyone) and the one I punked when I wanted to jump my horse! (didn't happen too often, but when it did.....that was the only saddle I'd jump in) <br /> <br />But if I was you, I'd just wait and save up all my money for another year, and then get the Dressage saddle that you want (be either new or used) as you'll just want a Dressage one in a year anyways!

[DurhamJumper]

If it were me I would go with a close contact over an AP anyday, they have deep seat ones as well

[stephanie1]

Im with you durham Im not a fan of A/P saddles.
I currently ride in my friends eventing saddle and it is like a close contact and so comfy.
Hope you decide what one you like&nbsp;best&nbsp;and if you know that the saddle will fit your horse and can get it cheaper on ebay I would say go for it.
Foxhunter is not the greatest kinda like a greenhawk and I dont think they have a huge selection of&nbsp; saddles and Bakers is pricy.&nbsp; I would say it may not be worth your trip out there is you live in Oakvill as it will probally take you close to and hour and a half if not more.
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[Marty_Jones]

I have an A/P and I love it for jumping and jumping only. It sucks for dressage. So I bought a dressage saddle. For X-C its the greatest saddle ever. It's an older Stubben A/P(about 20yrs young I believe) Theres been many time where I thought I may have to sell it due to not fitting my horse, but I just cant seem to part with it.<IMG src="smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0">&nbsp;I personaly hate CC saddles due to the lack of saddle. I've ridden in my fare share of them.&nbsp;Mind you if I were to be and avid hunter rider I may have swung to a CC, but I discoved eventing. So each saddle has a perpose and each person has a fave. saddle too. Just like me and my Stubben A/P<IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/smileys/smiley14.gif" border="0">

[chenders01]

HC, I would go with whatever one you felt most comfortable in and the one&nbsp;which helped your dressage position the most...and of course, the one that also fit Emma best.&nbsp; What did your coach say?&nbsp; Which one is she recommending?&nbsp; She should be able to tell you which one is the better choice.
I've never heard of the Croswell so can't comment on that one.&nbsp; I&nbsp;have heard that the newer Collegiates aren't all that well-made, and are foam rather than wool stuffed, but there's no reason why&nbsp;you can't buy&nbsp;the Collegiate&nbsp;now and then save up to buy a better-quality dressage saddle down the road.
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[Dee22]

DJ &amp; Stephanie - Horsecrazy is looking for a saddle with a deeper seat to do dressage in <IMG src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0">&nbsp;so a C/C will be too flat for her, and she will always be fighting to obtain an upright position and keep her legs back where they need to be.
HC - I have never ridden in a Croswel but I used to own a Collegiate Senior Event and if your not getting a dressage saddle this is still a saddle that has a nice deep seat.
I would still recomend saving and getting a dressage saddle but if your asking for opinions on those two saddles only, the Collegiate is a nice saddle with a deep seat and will put you in a better position for dressage than a C/C... although, now that I have a dressage saddle, I couldn't imagine riding in anyhing else!<edited><editID>Dee22</editID><editDate>38399.3694560185</editDate></edited>

[horsecrazy333]

Thanks so much you guys. I'm going to search around for a used Collegiate and save for a nice dressage. Hopefully I'll be able to sell my nice cc once I get the Collegiate and have a down payment for the dressage one. <br /> <br />Really appreciate everyone's input.

[BarnBratCSA]

Colligates are nice saddles - that would be my pick of the two. However, my next saddle is going to be a Pessoa A/O.&nbsp; It's like riding on a cloud! Super expensive but worth every penny.&nbsp;100 yr warranty on the tree.&nbsp; Gotta start saving up!

[Kobau]

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Mj, that is like me.... i love my ancient stubben! and i have a major dislike of close contacts... just feel weird to me, i can't be comfy in them *shrugs*
go for the one you like best...</TD></TR>
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[Time~n~Time]

i rode in a collegiate all purpose and did some dressage in it (just at home) its definately a saddle worth looking into! it has a very deep COMFORTABLE seat and if i do say so myself is pretty hard to fall out of lol<img border="0" src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0"> but the one that fits both you and your horse is the one i'd go with. good luck!

[Marty_Jones]

If your planning to go dressge get a dressage saddle cuz Im currently trying to break the A/P dressage position and just ask *rickie* how frustrated I get<IMG src="smileys/smiley9.gif" border="0">&nbsp;But I also ride in super short sturrups... must have been a jockey in another life<IMG src="smileys/smiley8.gif" border="0">

[*rickie*]

Oh MJ, don't be soo hard on yourself! Everyone has their habits! Otay...thats it, next time I see you, I'll give you all the videos of how cr@ppy-ly I use to ride! <br /> <br />Riding in an A/P isn't the same as a Dressage, and yes, when you fianlly do move to a Dressage, there will still be things you will have to fix, but they will be less than if you went from a C/C to a Dressage. And I'll say the Collegiate Event has been one of the better A/P saddles that I've have the priviledge to sit in! Other A/P's I just wanted to DIE sitting in them! They were HORRIBLE! But that one, I acutally enjoyed riding in...well for an A/P that is! <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0">