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Elite Veteran
Posts: 898
  
Location: Mountains of VA | Nateracer - 2017-10-05 1:50 PM hotpaints - 2017-10-05 1:40 PM The saddle pictured is a flat hunter saddle, think show ring hunters. Equitation and jumper saddles do have deeper seats/higher cantle. It might be that you need a bigger size or more than likely you are not keeping your lower leg under neath you. Can you 2-point and ride in 2-point easily at the walk, trot and canter for 30 mins or more? Way back when, I used to hate a solid hour long lesson in 2-point but this will build your balance and leg strength. Not sure I could even go an entire hour in 2-point anymore but it is a great excercise to get your lower leg under you and stretch tall, you do not want too much hip angle. I don't know exactly what that means, but I was taught that you should look down and see your big toe when you are riding. (looked up 2 point, and yes, that would be proper English equitation) Not going to say it's easy at this point because I'm somewhat out of practice, but I won english equitation classes in breed and open shows up until I was 18 and went on to barrels. I dabbled in a bit of hunter under saddle with guidance from Pony Club members.
2-point is considered the rider's jumping/cantering/galloping position, your butt is out of the saddle, think hovering over the saddle at the center of balance. 2-point is a little more out of the saddle than a half seat. 2-point will help you keep your weight in your lower leg/heels, stay balanced over the center of balance on your horse and teach you to post from the strength in your lower leg.
You already have experience and a general understanding, it will come back to you. Find a George Morris book. Also watch some video or go to a show ring hunter show, not a breed show, and watch the riders in the over fences classes. Even a true Hunter under Saddle rider rides in 2-point at the canter but of course posts at the trot and sits at the walk, I'm not referring to breed shows but USEF show ring Hunters.
Good luck and have fun. I too am struggling to find something for my 2yo to do while he is maturing and in training. I like the added stress and excitment from showing in something vs. just hauling off the farm to ride/train somewhere. Competing even at the local level just adds new challenges in a good way for young horses and better prepares them for competing in the future.
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Location: Choctaw, OK | I'm super picky on what english saddle i use. I absolutely hated the dover circuit and HDR..very unbalanced. Some collegiates have really deep seats, just make sure they fit your horse. I absolutely loved my Prestige Eventer! Deep seat, knee and thigh blocks, extremely comfy, fit horses well and held me in..and yes it was a jumping saddle. I bought it used for 750. I'm now looking for an Intrepid Arwen Deluxe after trying one. I think it will fit my particular horse, has a deep seat and balanced feel, it's made for freer shoulder movement of the horse, and is wool flocked. Like 1300 new. Check tack trader for used prestige and arwens!
I posted a pic of the intrepid arwen deluxe
Edited by RoughstockKennel 2017-10-06 8:35 AM
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Sparklin Cowgirl
Posts: 4379
| I would look for an AP or All-Purpose saddle. That would have a deeper seat than a close contact. (an AP is really not ideal for over fences but it will do the job.)
If you are planning on just flatting around you may want to look into all-purpose saddles. I have a Crosby CC and LOVE it but it is all personal preference. A lot of it has to do with leg position and pressure as well. If your leg isn't balanced, an English saddle of any kind is going to highlight that. I think it's great that you are wanting to do different things with your 2 year old! I take mine in a rail class from time to time to get them doing something different in the area.
Bates and HDR both make a nice AP saddle I believe. Pessoa is another great brand if you can find one used. | |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | For local flat classes, a good all purpose english saddle would be just fine. People are hard on them but they're usually comfy and for just basic english riding they get the job done. Here's one to look at that I've only heard great things about over the years: http://saddlefitter.com/berlin.htm Thornhill in general is a good, reasonably priced brand and you should have no trouble finding used ones in your price range. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 682
Location: Northwest | Gunnin to Play - 2017-10-06 6:44 AM
I would look for an AP or All-Purpose saddle. That would have a deeper seat than a close contact. (an AP is really not ideal for over fences but it will do the job.)
If you are planning on just flatting around you may want to look into all-purpose saddles. I have a Crosby CC and LOVE it but it is all personal preference. A lot of it has to do with leg position and pressure as well. If your leg isn't balanced, an English saddle of any kind is going to highlight that. I think it's great that you are wanting to do different things with your 2 year old! I take mine in a rail class from time to time to get them doing something different in the area.
Bates and HDR both make a nice AP saddle I believe. Pessoa is another great brand if you can find one used.
I sold my AP Stubben Siegfried last year that I had had for about 20 years. That was a very comfortable saddle and you can find older used ones in excellent shape for not that much money ($300-500). Highly recommend finding one. | |
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