The Wintec 500 Dressage
I am not much of a dressage rider. Oh, don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for the discipline and its participants. But as far as I'm concerned, I only have two reasons for pursuing any dressage myself. A)To have a solid flatwork foundation for jumping, and B)because they make you do it in eventing. So it would be safe to say I have no interest in breaking the bank on a dressage saddle. Mainly because I can't afford to, but also because I have a hunch the saddle might spend a lot of time in the tack room collecting dust. I just want something that will put me in a better position when I do decide to foray into the world of 20m circles.
I was having the great debate with myself about whether I should purchase a new el cheapo saddle or find a quality used saddle at a good price. Strangely enough, new and cheap won. Hear me out on this one.
First of all, my horses have very different shaped backs. The likelihood of one traditional-tree saddle fitting both of them is about as good as me taking a serious interest in the sport. It ain't gonna happen. The adjustable gullet on the Wintec is attractive for that precise reason. Sure, it's not a cure all... but it gives me a better chance of the saddle fitting at least one, if not both of my ponies.
Secondly, there's ease of purchase. When shopping for a used saddle, you have to do exactly that-- shop around. And wait. And hope something comes along. And have the money ready when that elusive deal does materialize. There's only four, tiny, inconsequential problems with that scenario:
-I hate shopping.
-I am impatient.
-17" used wide tree dressage saddles in my price range are harder to come by than expected.
-My horses have a magical way of sensing when I have extra money set aside and are rather creative in finding ways to necessitate spending it immediately. (Apparently both my horses are very concerned with the vet's financial well being. How sweet of them. Hmph.)
Minor details, right? But you can see why stalking Ebay isn't exactly up my alley.
I was having a major hang up with the whole synthetic thing. I think I may be over that for one, justifiable reason-- I can use it to ride in the rain. That will make the saddle worth its weight in gold if this weather continues. Plus, I'll be able to wipe that collected dust off super easy. Hehe.
My bank account is still suffering from PCTSS (post-Christmas traumatic shock syndrome), but I think sometime in the not-so-distant future I will lay down the cash for this purchase. Although not right now. There's no extra money lying around right now... YOU HEAR THAT B & P??? No need to get creative!
On that note, P seems to be over her little mystery bug. Her temp was normal and she was her perky, hydrated self. I didn't get to work her at all because the ground is in that precarious half frozen/half muddy state. I might try to call a neighboring farm and see if I can rent their indoor sometime within the next week, just so we don't lose too much momentum. But you know me and making plans...
I was having the great debate with myself about whether I should purchase a new el cheapo saddle or find a quality used saddle at a good price. Strangely enough, new and cheap won. Hear me out on this one.
First of all, my horses have very different shaped backs. The likelihood of one traditional-tree saddle fitting both of them is about as good as me taking a serious interest in the sport. It ain't gonna happen. The adjustable gullet on the Wintec is attractive for that precise reason. Sure, it's not a cure all... but it gives me a better chance of the saddle fitting at least one, if not both of my ponies.
Secondly, there's ease of purchase. When shopping for a used saddle, you have to do exactly that-- shop around. And wait. And hope something comes along. And have the money ready when that elusive deal does materialize. There's only four, tiny, inconsequential problems with that scenario:
-I hate shopping.
-I am impatient.
-17" used wide tree dressage saddles in my price range are harder to come by than expected.
-My horses have a magical way of sensing when I have extra money set aside and are rather creative in finding ways to necessitate spending it immediately. (Apparently both my horses are very concerned with the vet's financial well being. How sweet of them. Hmph.)
Minor details, right? But you can see why stalking Ebay isn't exactly up my alley.
I was having a major hang up with the whole synthetic thing. I think I may be over that for one, justifiable reason-- I can use it to ride in the rain. That will make the saddle worth its weight in gold if this weather continues. Plus, I'll be able to wipe that collected dust off super easy. Hehe.
My bank account is still suffering from PCTSS (post-Christmas traumatic shock syndrome), but I think sometime in the not-so-distant future I will lay down the cash for this purchase. Although not right now. There's no extra money lying around right now... YOU HEAR THAT B & P??? No need to get creative!
On that note, P seems to be over her little mystery bug. Her temp was normal and she was her perky, hydrated self. I didn't get to work her at all because the ground is in that precarious half frozen/half muddy state. I might try to call a neighboring farm and see if I can rent their indoor sometime within the next week, just so we don't lose too much momentum. But you know me and making plans...
2 comments:
Hi new reader here!! mmm take a look at the Wintec Pro, you can get a nice used one for the price of a 500. The 500 sits you a little odd and its a very male oriented saddle, very hard to find middle. Dont get me wrong Hubby has one and he loves it, but me not so much. The Pro and the Isabell are more suited to female parts, good luck!! Jewel from www.vivavolte.blogspot.com
Thanks for the tip! The Isabella is a little out of my price range at the moment (remember, saddle will be potentially collecting dust in tack room.... haha!). But I'll definitely keep my eye out for a deal on a Wintec Pro. If I'm going to go synthetic, I like grippy equisuede better anyway. :)
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