Collegiate
Diploma Convertible Long Flap
Close Contact Saddles
Manufacturer: Collegiate
Model: Diploma Convertible Long Flap
Category: Close Contact Saddles
Purchase: I paid around $900 at crazyhorsetack.com, they also threw in a new collegiate bridle for "free". I was not a big fan of this saddle at all. I did a ton of research to find a saddle for a long legged rider with an adjustable gullet. It put me a in a bad position, I was falling forward and I was fighting to keep my leg from falling way behind me. The "pre treated" leather was pretty stiff and I wasn't impressed. The forward flap interfered with my TB's shoulder but overall the fit for my horse wasn't terrible, for me it was terrible.
Likes: The over all appearance was that bad. If it has fit me and my horse I would have oiled a ton and tried to supple the leather a little. I liked that the price was under a $1000 and I like the idea of the adjustable gullet.
Dislikes: The saddle put me in a bad position and the leather was not very soft. Another alarming thing was the position of the stirrup bar. It was so easy for the stirrup leather to slip out that when I was adjusting my stirrup length, while in the saddle, the leather just slipped right out. I was really shoving it down in there too. I understand that you don't want to get a leg stuck in the stirrup but that seemed a little ridiculous.
Quality: Construction was ok. It looked pretty solid.
Summary: I'm sending mine back today after just 15 minutes of riding. Not a fan.
Rating: 2
Author: long leg rider
Date: 2009-12-15
Usefulness Rating: 1 out of 5.
1 reader(s) voted.
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