Friday, April 8, 2016

kent & masters is officially mine!

So perhaps you saw me write this in comment threads on earlier posts (much earlier, obvi - since I'm quite behind in replying to comments right now... rest assured I'm reading everything and want to thank everyone for your kind words of encouragement yesterday!!) but - I bought the saddle!!!!!
So pretty! just, um, #needsnewstirrupleathers
I actually pulled the trigger on the purchase after our xc schooling last weekend at OF, wherein we jumped some big (to me) stuff and I felt totally secure. Throughout the ride, I found it very easy to put myself in whatever position I wanted in the saddle - be it defensive, or upright and following (for flying down banks), or just cruisin' around in an easy half seat. 

not quite an action shot, but i'll use any excuse to post this pic again haha
Even in the xc schooling that saw me unceremoniously executing an unplanned dismount, I still felt pretty good in the tack. The flap is SUPER forward and accommodates a pretty short stirrup, but I feel like my leg is staying where I want it, and there's more room in the seat for me to change my balance point as needed (whereas the Bates seat kinda held me into one spot).

this is actually the only real action shot of me actively sitting in the saddle, womp womp haha
Isabel goes really beautifully in this saddle too. In the days leading up to my trial period expiration, we did all our rides in the saddle - including some dressage prep for last weekend's tests. And Isabel moves really freely and nicely in the saddle - I honestly think she's super comfortable in it.

saddle and bridle and martingale and girth are all the same color now. #winning!
I might still play with padding a little bit just to see what works best etc... But the biggie is out of the way. The saddle is MINE. Yasss!!!

I'm particularly happy too because this saddle has the same basic features that attracted me to the Bates in the first place: interchangeable gullet plates for an adjustable tree, and wool flocking. It just so happens that the shape of these panels actually, ya know, FIT the mare haha.

Here's hoping to many happy rides! Starting with a purposeful school tonight, jump lesson tomorrow, and our season opener at Loch Moy on Sunday!

26 comments:

  1. Wooooo! The saddle hunt is FINALLY over! Congrats

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  2. i realllyyyyy like that saddle. i love saddles with really nice forward flaps. i like to have my knees up at my eyeballs when i jump.

    im glad it worked so well and OMG JEALOUS SEASON OPENER THIS WEEKEND??? LUCKY!!!!!!!

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  3. Yay for new saddle and have fun Sunday!

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  4. Awesome!! I can't wait to see the action shots from the season opener!!!

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  5. Oooh nice, shiny new tack is always fun and good luck on Sunday :)

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  6. Yayyyy sucess! I'm glad you've finally found the one!

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  7. Yay!!! It really is a beautiful saddle.

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  8. Woohoo it is a beautiful saddle!
    My awesome saddle fitter works with this brand so that is a ringing endorsement in my book. Glad you guys feel so good in it, wishing you well wear ☺☺☺

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  9. Hooray!!! So exciting! I'm so happy you love it!

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  10. Adore my K&M. It's the only thing on the whole planet that fits my fat, mutton-withered, high-bottomed pony mare. The poor thing is probably the most expensive item to my name (including most of the horses) but it gets slapped onto whatever, breaks in babies, and bumps around on the back of the truck when I go gallivanting because it was way to expensive to sit in the saddle room 23 hours a day!

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  11. i've heard good things about the kent and masters saddles! congrats.

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  12. Hi Emma!
    I'm thinking about trying one of these for Bridget - just wondering if you're still as keen on it as you were last spring? Shoot me an email if you'd like: Projectgingersnap at gmail dot com
    Thank you!

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