Crosby
Mark VII
Close Contact Saddles
Manufacturer: Crosby
Model: Mark VII
Category: Close Contact Saddles
Purchase: I bought this saddle used from a gal on illinoishorse.com for about $450 I believe. I wanted something I could use for jumping, and something I knew would be good quality.
Likes: I expected quality and got it. We believe the saddle is at least 20years old and it doesn't show. This saddle has less wear than my $2k 2006 dressage saddle. :D It's sturdy, durable, looks nice, the flocking is wonderful, the tree is still completely sound, the billets are strong and not worn at all, the panels are shaped properly, and the balance is quite nice.
Dislikes: It is an older saddle, made in the older style (although the back panels are flared more than you'd usually see, making it look more modern), so the panels move closer and closer together till they're less than an inch a part by the time it gets to the back of the cantle. My horse has a big, wide backbone, and it just doesn't allow it to fit in the channel. On a daintier horse it would be fine.
Quality: Wonderful leather! I absolutely love to quality of the leather. It's so nice and supple. Even after how-ever-long-it's-been since it was made, there's virtually no wear or tear at all. Lovely product!
Now, it does have small knee rolls, but not hard knee blocks. The flap is not padded at the knee.
We think it was originally a medium tree, but now it's best as a medium-wide. It fits my wide paint horse perfectly.
The panels are super flexible and conform to the shape of the horse's shoulders. (And just for those of you thinking it, the tree is completely sound). :)
Summary: I love this saddle and it would be perfect for us if A) it was black and B) the channel allowed for my horse's super wide backbone.
Rating: 4
Author: Amber
Date: 2009-12-28
Usefulness Rating: 0 out of 5.
0 reader(s) voted.
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