Albion
K2 Jumper
Jumping Saddles
Manufacturer: Albion
Model: K2 Jumper
Category: Jumping Saddles
Purchase: I acquired this saddle from my saddler (a Master Saddler) for £1000, in South Wales. I needed a forward cut saddle with decent panels for hunting my 16.2hh Paint/TB/cob mare, who was quite an awkward fit
Likes: I like the nice forward cut flaps with the deep knee rolls. They put me in a lovely secure position when jumping and galloping out hunting. It also fit my horse very well - she has a very sensitive back with a few awkward fitting areas (high withers, downhill, lopsided) and we'd been through a few saddles, and this has fitted her the best to date. It also came with a nice red fleece saddle cover, which even though it was new didn't leave bobbles on the saddle
Dislikes: I hate hate HATE the seat. I will admit this now, I have a very awkward pelvis that some saddles aggravate, and this was one of them. On it's first outing out hunting I had to go home by half past two as I was absolutely crippled. With a memory foam seat saver (one of the expensive kinds) I can last up to four o'clock before I can no longer feel my buttocks. I appreciate that it is a jumping saddle and therefore not really meant to be sat in, but it really was terrible. I also didn't like the leather very much - while it is soft and of very nice quality, it scuffs way too easily - I've had it two months and it looks a year old already (and I am very meticulous about cleaning it, so it is not due to dryness). The marks on the bottom flap under the buckles are very deep, and it has had less than twenty rides. It also has excessively large buckle guards which get in the way, though luckily they are removable. The girth straps are also black leather when the saddle is brown, which I found very odd indeed
Quality: It is very well put together, although the maker was very generous with the glue and there are sticky areas around seams which attract and hold hair and general filth. Generally though it is very good quality, and the leather has a lovely smell
Summary: Overall, for the rave reviews Albions get by people, I was sorely disappointed. I've had this saddle less than two months and I already cannot wait to get rid of it. I will certainly never buy an Albion again, you couldn't give me one for free
Rating: 3
Author: Indigo Moose
Date: 2009-11-24
Usefulness Rating: 5 out of 5.
1 reader(s) voted.
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