October 5, 2021

Saddle Update

It worked out well that my saddle arrived last week, since I already had an in-person lesson scheduled with CGP and she could take a look at it.

The bottom line at this point is that we're both really happy with it, as long as the point billet is as loose as can be. I mean, look at how effortlessly he lifted his back on Saturday. I didn't even really have contact here and certainly wasn't trying to affect his way of going aside from riding biomechanically well:

Breastplate up! My barnmate from home who's known us since 2015 was also at CGP's for a lesson on Saturday, and she commented to me and CGP that she was stunned to see Connor both stretch AND keep his chest up.

The whole reason this saddle search took so long is that in most saddles he's not been willing to lift his breastplate like that, which is why the reinback is such a good diagnostic for whether he likes a saddle or not. 

He'll reinback in both saddles he likes and saddles he doesn't like, but in saddles he doesn't like, he buries his chest into the ground rather than shifting his weight back over his hindquarters and lifting his chest. It's subtle if you're not looking for it, because in both instances he willingly moves backward, but once you see the difference you're like "OKAY, I GET IT!" just like the fitter said to me in June.


I want that right hind more underneath him, but again, last weekend was 0% about improving the horse, so this is just whatever! And I'm thrilled with his breastplate here!

I discussed the missing features extensively with CGP. She thinks the billet move can be done without sending it back, but the serge panels would likely mean a trip to England. And while it's disappointing that they were left off, the point was to get a saddle the horse likes, and clearly, he likes it as configured. The primary downside to leather panels is that the flocking adjustments are less precise since fitting tools can only enter the saddle in one spot, plus they're warmer in winter and are less fussy about maintenance.

But is any of that worth sending it back to England, likely while he's at the trainer's for flying changes? No, it's not. I want him in a saddle he loves for that, and he clearly isn't missing the serge panels. Especially not when the leather panels on it are so soft, my trainer asked if they had memory foam in them (they do not).

Another benefit of leather panels: I can ride in my glitter pads without worrying about glitter getting embedded in the serge panels, lol #imachild

As for me, during the lesson on Saturday she asked if I was ever actively engaging the too-big blocks. I laughed, "I did Dressage in a jump saddle for years, no I am not using the blocks." She said, "I thought so, I'm just going to take them out." And that's how I rode most of that lesson.

Shown: no blocks

Because it's a monoflap with a two-sided pocket at the front for Velcro blocks, just the knee pad and the pocket combined already feel like a skinny block to me. So while we will order a teeny tiny thigh block, I really don't need them right now.

(As she pulled the blocks out, I joked that she's the reason I wanted Velcro blocks, so that she could play with my leg position without me freaking out that I just spent *mumblemumble* on a saddle that's all wrong, lol)

I mean really though, if you have a biomechanics expert in your corner, why limit her with a single block configuration?
 

So hopefully they do still make the error right in some way, but it likely won't end up with serge panels, and that's okay with me and Connor. 

This whole thing feels like a lesson on trusting the talented people you put in your corner. Sure, people make mistakes, that's human, but the way this saddle fits us both doesn't just happen by accident. With a saddle we both like and a great fitter and trainer, it feels like the sky's the limit now for what we can accomplish next year.

11 comments:

  1. I really appreciate the way you've handles this whole saddle mishap. You've recognized that yeah, it sucks, but also look there's a plan B and then a plan C and it's all actually fine. It's super refreshing, and that's amazing you've been able to work with a company that you trust so well.

    Connor looks FANTASTIC! Love that you weren't even working on him in this lesson and yet he looks freaking incredible.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, he looked awesome on Saturday. Now I need to be able to recreate that on my own, haha.

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  2. I echo Lyss's sentiments above. But also, it seems like this was a happy accident for both of you!

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    1. I wouldn't say it was a happy accident, I would still be happier if it came the way I wanted it, but I'm intentionally choosing not to be upset about it, and to focus on the things that matter (happy horse, easy biomechanics).

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  3. I'm glad for the most part it is working out! Hopefully you can get that billet fixed asap. I probably would feel the same way about the panels. Probably not worth the wait at this point in time.

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    1. Yeah, I hope so too! But it's nbb in the meantime.

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  4. So if it doesn't go back to England do they have someone where you are who can fix it? I do love how you both look in it so that's a win.

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    1. Yeah, the saddle fitter travels with a trailer/workbench, she should be able to do it on-site.

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  5. Yay to no round trip flight for Patrick!

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  6. I was out of town last week so I hadn't seen this exciting update, but YAY that Patrick is here, and glad it works well even if it wasn't 100% what you ordered. Connor looks very happy in it!!

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  7. Being able to change the blocks and fix the billet sounds like a win.

    I'm petite like you and can't do thigh blocks. I had a very pretty saddle once with enormous thigh blocks. Unfortunately, the blocks "blocked" my knees on my short legs and prevented me from sitting in the balance point of the saddle. Had to sell it and lost money. I learned something, though!

    Good luck with Patrick.

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