HELP I Have a CC Saddle

[horsecrazy333]

I just found out today that what I thought was an a/p saddle is really a cc jumper saddle. No wondering I can't do sit trot. If I can't afford to get a new one before trillium season starts will I be able to show in this or will I have to buy a new one. <br /> <br />Bahr's brought out a really nice Wintec pro dressage that I'd like to try but I don't have an extra $900 right now! <br /> <br />HELP I'm freeking can you tell.

[jax]

For lower levels you can show in whatever you want.&nbsp; The only problem will be your position.&nbsp; Any chance you can borrow someone's for shows?&nbsp;

[Dee22]

HC, if your looking into the Wintec Dressage saddle check out Foxhunter Tack. I got a really good deal on mine there $600, I think there a bit more now but $900 is really pricey!!

[Ruth]

If you are showing Training Level you might be OK as you can post in those tests, but personally I don't find a CC saddle very conducive to dressage. Maybe look for a used Wintec? I got one for $25.00 last year!

[Dee22]

Good idea Ruth, I'd check e-bay for Wintec Dressage saddles, they have some good deals on new and used ones

[*rickie*]

I agree....you can show in your CC saddle, but as you've noticed it's harder to sitting the trot, and it's harder to have the *poper Dressage* position in it. <br /> <br />I would also suggest looking for a used Wintec...or even a used leather Dressage saddle.....You could find a REALLY good second hand one for $900.....and a leather one at that! <br /> <br />I agree $900 for a Wintec is really pricey! You might also want to try to trade your saddle.....privately of coarse, but there are ALOT people out there who have Dressage saddles, who are looking for CC ones. I know I've traded a couple for my coach (3 I think).....so it might be worth looking into....try putting an add up here on EC! <br /> <br />Let us know how it goes!

[chenders01]

I second Dee's recommendation of Foxhunter (if you're gonna buy new).&nbsp; I drove all the way there from Kitchener because they had the best deal on the Wintec Isabell I bought.&nbsp; They were also the only store who would let me do a trade-in.&nbsp; Here's the link:&nbsp;
<A href="http://www.foxhunter.on.ca/tackshop.htm" target="_blank">http://www.foxhunter.on.ca/tackshop.htm</A>&nbsp;
&nbsp;

[Ruth]

Foxhunter is a great store!

[horsecrazy333]

Thanks guys <br /> <br />My coaches friend left here collegtte at the barn as she's not riding and I rode in it today. Wow that makes a huge difference. I felt so secure. I'm going to see if she minds if I borrow it for a while. <br /> <br />Thanks so much for letting me know that I could ride in my cc. I love it, it's super comfy, but you are right it totally sucks to sit trot in! <br /> <br />I'm going to check out foxhunter. I know Bahr's is going to keep their eye open for me. Guess I could try a bunch out from them and just look to see if I can get them cheaper. <br /> <br />How is the Isabella?

[horsecrazy333]

Wow there is the exact saddle I was shown today on Ebay. I wish I had ridden in it. It's only up for $125. <br /> <br />Should I bid and hope that if I win I like it?

[annie]

Look for used.&nbsp; This site is great.&nbsp; You can also try equistation.com and equiman.com.&nbsp; I found a Wintec Isabell (which costs 1400 new) for 850 online.&nbsp; I love it.&nbsp; You should be able to get a Wintec 500 dressage for under 600$ new.&nbsp; I've ridden in that one quite a lot and it's also quite nice.

[Foxie]

That sucks!!!<IMG src="smileys/smiley6.gif" border="0">&nbsp; TRY........
<A target=_blank href="http://www.greenhawk.net/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/scstore/preowned.html?L+scstore+fnhs1643ff135513+1108062359" target="_blank">http://www.greenhawk.net/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/scstore/preowned.html?L+scstore+fnhs1643ff135513+1108062359</A>
Really nice ones. I'd go for the Stubben<IMG src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0"><edited><editID>Foxie</editID><editDate>38393.3715509259</editDate></edited>

[Dee22]

I got my Wintec 500 dressage at Foxhunter for $600 and it came with the complete gullet set and screw driver for free! It was a really good deal they had on just after Christmas.
I was originally looking for a used leather dressage saddle but man, dressage saddles are tres expensive!! $$ I couldn't find anything used (that was half decent) for under $900 and that was pushing it!

I didn't really want a synthetic saddle but when I went to Foxhunter they had a used Collegiate for $800 that was in really good condition, I sat in it and it was 'okay' but when I sat in the Wintec I was sold, it was really a lot more comfy than the leather dressage saddle! And just in my price range. If I had the money I would for sure get a nice leather saddle but I just didn't have $900 or $1000 to spend ona&nbsp; *used* saddle...a lot of the used ones were even $1500-$2000!&nbsp;I went with the Wintec and glad I did!
If your coming from a CC saddle, the Wintec 500 Dressage&nbsp;is probably a good start because the seat isn't *super* deep. It's deep enough but I found when I sat in the Wintec&nbsp;Isabell it was&nbsp;way too&nbsp;deep... probably because I've been riding in CC saddles all my life, it was a big switch and I felt trapped. My advise would be to go to Foxhunter and sit in the different saddles, find out which you like the best and than hunt on-line for a used one. I also like the Wintec because Eja has a LOT of changing to do, she's going to loose some weight and muscle up. A leather saddle wouldn't fit come six months from now. I was also pretty lucky, I fhad been looking for a Med. tree for Eja, when I brought the Wintec home I had to change the Med. to a Wide <IMG src="smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0">&nbsp;Lucky I didn't get that Collegiate! LOL<edited><editID>Dee22</editID><editDate>38393.3905324074</editDate></edited>

[chenders01]

Yup, I will agree with Dee that the Isabell has a SUPER deep seat, and if you've been riding in a CC saddle, you might find the Isabell TOO deep.&nbsp; It's a saddle that you either love or you hate (I love mine...I love the security it gives me and also that it helps to keep me sitting upright).&nbsp; &nbsp;
I, too, would recommend&nbsp;the 500, as it's not very expensive.&nbsp; If you sit in one at Foxhunter and you like it, you can always try to get one used on Ebay.&nbsp; You could also try out the Dressage Pro.&nbsp; It, too, is a flatter seat.&nbsp; Whatever you decide to buy though, best to take it home and try it on Emma first.&nbsp; Wintecs don't fit EVERY horse...like any saddle it has to be properly fitted.&nbsp; The beauty though, is that you can change the gullets as your horse muscles up and develops a topline.&nbsp; I started Dali in the medium gullet and just recently had to move him up to the medium-wide.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

[horsecrazy333]

Thanks so much guys. I'm going to ask Bahr's if I can take the dressage pro home and try it and see if I like it. It did fit her quite well and the price was right. The one I'm borrowing right now is quite deep seated and I actually really like it. Foxhunter looks awesome. I'm going to have to play hooky and cehck it out.

[annie]

I agree - the 500 is some good bang for your buck.&nbsp; I would have bought it if I hadn't found the used Isabell.&nbsp; Isabell is quite deep but it doesn't have as much twist as the Bates Isabell, which I find hard to sit it.
Honestly, I wasn't a fan of the wintec pro.&nbsp; It is the same saddle as the 500&nbsp;+ a few bells and whistles (ultra suede cover, adjustably Y surcingle etc.)&nbsp; It just wasn't different enough from the 500 to justify a 300-400 dollar difference in price.&nbsp;
I think if you&nbsp;ar willing&nbsp;to spend a bit more, your best bet would be to get the Cair panels on the 500.&nbsp; Cair is money well spent because wintecs need to be restuffed more often than regular saddles (ie, once a year, and sometimes more) and you'll break even on the cost within the first year.&nbsp; Cair usually costs about 100 $ more.&nbsp;